Gasoline is expensive here, parking is not readily available, and there is a large public transportation system. In fact, in many major European cities (and foreign cities in general, I find), there is strong investment in public transportation. It makes for a cleaner city, and one that makes it easier to move around. There is a large awareness of ecological impact in Madrid. Just recently, the government imposed restrictions on the number of cars allowed within the city center, in an effort to reduce pollution.
