Changes

Hitchhiking is the oldest form of travel. (If hitchhiking is the oldest form of travel then what did the first hitchhikers hitch?) People like Marco Polo would have never made their epic journeys without the help of friendly strangers. Voyagers are roaming the roads for various reasons, but when it comes to hitchhiking it's hardly ever just a means to get from place A to place B for free. On the outset it looks like they are all doing the same thing: raising their thumb by the side of the road. But everyone has their own motivations. Some seek for personal growth, some adventure and others appreciate the profound cultural experiences and discussions with the drivers.

Yet, for the past couple of decades, the popularity of hitchhiking has been in steady decline. This is due to several factors: the public transportation has become somewhat well-functioning, (this is definately not the case in the UK where in 20 years since public transport was privatised prices have rocketed and less profitable routes scrapped - basically it's a lot shiter than it used to be) private car ownership has become more accessible and fear has increased in our society.