Cars Are Basic Inc. – Citizen Transportation Advocate Organization since 1998
CAB™

28 Years of Advocacy

Cars are Basic™ Incorporated (CAB™) is a transportation policy watchdog, motor vehicle infrastructure ombudsman and motorist advocacy organization since 1998.

Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, plentiful employment and a healthy economy depend, in part, on free movement of people, goods and services. We all have a right to the transportation method we choose. CAB Inc.™ believes that government must uphold this freedom of transportation choice.

The transportation method chosen by the majority of Americans is a motor vehicle fueled by gasoline, electricity, hybrid gasoline/electricity, hydrogen, propane or diesel. Cars are Basic™ believes government’s transportation and transportation infrastructure policies should primarily reflect the transportation choice made by the majority of the population.

Cars are Basic™ is a grass-roots organization operated solely by volunteers from Santa Barbara County. We have been reviewing and advocating transportation issues for over 27 years. CAB™ Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization, and all contributions to it are tax-deductible.

Unlike many organizations that oppose us, we are non-paid volunteers and receive no taxpayer funds.

News

NEXT MEETING:
October 28, 2025, at NOON 12:00,
at the Goleta Elks Lodge, 150 N Kellogg Ave, Santa Barbara, CA
(805) 964-6859 (usually last Wednesday of the month)

COME – ENJOY – DISCUSS

When will EV owners pay the same taxes as standard auto drivers?

In a moment of sanity the City of SB fired the failure MIG…, after 40 years they could not prove success of concept. Narrowing of State St. FAILURE IS NOW PROVEN.

Latest letter to SB Council stating “no proof of concept after years of implementation.” (PDF)

Ongoing Issues

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst: “‘Bailout Bankrupt Boondoggles.’ That’s more appropriate for Washington’s track record of finding new ways to fund failed projects.”

Several proposed traffic projects have been shown by CAB to violate Coastal Commission permitting due to increase of Vehicle Miles Traveled / Driven (VMT).

CAB brought this issue before SBCAG at the beginning of the year with Al Clark sitting as the representative for the City of Carpinteria. He ducked his head and refused to comment.

PDF of Legislative Items of Interest

CLICK HERE To receive these Legislative Items Of Interest emails weekly.

Businesses Protest SB Spending Unfunded Millions to Place COVID-Control Housing in Old Town

For more news, see CABlog.

The Six Missions of Cars are Basic, Inc.™

  1. Promote freedom of choice in transportation and oppose attempts to deny that freedom.
  2. Monitor government transportation policies and distribute information about those policies.
  3. Advocate a system of properly engineered, well-maintained roadways which enable the safe and efficient movement of motor vehicles.
  4. Advance the principle that alternative means of transportation, such as public mass transit, ride or car sharing, bicycles, skateboards, or walking cannot be government mandates. They must remain a choice to which everyone has a right to make or not make.
  5. Oppose publicly-funded alternative transportation programs which: are frivolous uses of taxpayer funds intended to cater to politicians’ favored constituencies, gratify a special interest or redistribute wealth.
  6. Explain the contribution that motor vehicles make to a healthy economy.
Random Quote:

Videos

  • CAB Radio Ad for Jabuary 2019 (audio.)

    • Additional interviews and archival video are available via our social channels and the CABlog.

    Signup / Contact

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    Email to join our Free CABMAIL™ and receive CABALERTS™ in your inbox with current issues that affect you, or simply send an email to CAB@carsarebasic.org, with the Message "Send CABMAIL" in the subject. Your email address will only be used for CAB official communications, and WILL NOT be sold. You may unsubscribe anytime with the message "Stop CABMAIL" in the subject.

    Mailing address:
    CAB
    5708 Hollister Ave Suite A
    Goleta, CA 93117
    Phone: (805) 403-8907
    Email: cab@carsarebasic.org