http://www.jimmys-adventures.net/adventure-cycling/
Does the US Government do enough to promote bicycle riding?
I argue that the U.S., federal, state and local governments have committed almost nothing to encouraging bike use – either recreational or as a means of transportation. According to Jim Sayer, Director of the Adventure Cycling Association (http://www.adventurecycling.org), “In the U.S., half of all trips taken are three miles and less. If just half of those trips were done by bicycle, we would save 24 billion gallons of gas each year.” Yet, when riding bikes on American roads, you put your life at risk. I argue that we need more dedicated bike paths.
I agree wholeheartedly! I also think they need to make more walking paths as well. I mean here, if you are at the mall, and want to cross the street to go to a book store, it is standard to get in your car, get in a long line of traffic, wait for the light, and inch your way along to cross the road and park your car across the street. It is ludacris. If you try to walk, there are no sidewalks, you end up walking in the mud or on the shoulder of the road. Then when you cross there are no crosswalks, and motorists try to run you over like they’ve never seen anyone walking before. So everyone gets in their car to go across the street. That’s just insane.
If they made more walking and bike paths, they would solve some of their traffic and pollution problems and promote the health and well being of people getting exercise. Why don’t they do it?
Adventure Cycling Association