Given a comment in another thread by someone wanting to buy a scooter for her daughter ("It's a mile to her school" or something to that effect) I doubt that American will wholeheartedly return to simpler methods of transportation. It's too convenient to drive to where ever someone wants to go and you can do it with relative privacy. You don't have to worry about the "freak" next to you (as my colleagues call people on Toronto's public transit system), you can sit for your ride and not be mashed (public transit being overused, underfunded often), don't have to worry about someone potentially hitting you (bicyclist not being seen or paid attention to) and you can drive right up to the door rather than having to walk 50-100+feet (when taking transit -- looking for safe lock up place when cycling).
*meh* excuses...