Since I have never owned a car and don't use them, I've always been particularly sensitive to that phrase. It's not new. If the place isn't accessible by public transit I don't apply; there are days when I'm too sick (with the flu), tired (with insomnia), or the weather is just too bad (hailstones) for me to bike and I do like to have another option. But I will never ever explain that to anyone on an interview--I work in an office, it's not their business, and as others have mentioned, it's not a legal question to ask. Usually I just apply anyways, and if they ask about transportation in the interview (it has happened a couple of times) I just say that I prefer to be early to work, which is true, and leave it at that.