In 1886, Carl Benz received the patent for the first automobile, the Motorwagen. It had three wheels and a single-cylinder engine that cranked out three-quarters of a horsepower. Thirty-six years later — just a hundred years ago — there were around 15 million cars and trucks on the roads in the United States. As of 2020, there were 276 million, more than one for every adult in our country.

The 20th century was the era of the automobile. But that’s just the beginning of our transportation story. In this century, the culture, business, and technology of transportation are changing more quickly than at any time since Benz’s first patent. And Rev, a publication from Lyft, is here to cover those changes every step of the way. 

We are starting to see the dawn of a new era of transportation — one built around people, not cars. That’s why cities across the U.S. are building bike lanes, joining the recent trend toward micromobility. (There’s even a cross-country bicycle route in development.) New mass transit systems are popping up all over the country, as more and more Americans choose to live in urban and suburban areas. The Inflation Reduction Act will pour money into the country’s nascent electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Autonomous vehicles are tooling around Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and other cities. And, of course, car- and bike-share programs continue to offer new ways to get around. 

Navigating the way we navigate our world has never been more dizzying — or exciting. That’s what Rev is all about: Much like Lyft, this publication is here to help get us all on board the metaphorical ride to the future. And that future is clean, equitable, safe, and fun. 

So grab a seat and get comfortable. Here’s something to read. 

Best,

Jason

Jason Tanz is Rev’s editor-in-chief.

The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, Lyft is not affiliated with any businesses or organizations mentioned in this article.