Final answer:
The statement that streetcars and electric subways were the new ways to get around cities like San Francisco and Boston is TRUE. San Francisco's cable cars and Boston's subway, the first in the United States, played a crucial role in urban development and the expansion of cities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Streetcars and electric subways were indeed the new ways to get around in various cities, and this statement is TRUE. For instance, San Francisco was known for its cable cars, which were introduced as a result of adopting mining pulley technology. These cable cars allowed the city to transform its steep hills into desirable residential areas. Similarly, Boston was notable for creating America's first subway system, the Tremont Street Subway, in 1897. These innovations in public transportation allowed cities to expand and helped shape their development. Furthermore, electric streetcars and subways enabled the creation of 'streetcar suburbs' and allowed for the segregation of urban spaces into distinct districts for manufacturing, finance, and residential purposes. They were essential in allowing for the growth of cities into larger metropolitan areas by providing efficient and reliable transportation for their inhabitants.