Thursday, October 30, 2008

Interstate bike highway?

Apparently the NTA Approved U.S. Bicycle Route System . So what does this mean, well it means that;
"The United States is on a path to creating what could become the largest official bicycle route network in the world, thanks to the approval of a new plan by America's leading authority on national route designations. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has just approved a National Corridor Plan laying out the framework and guidelines for the development of this system. The plan identifies corridors connecting America's urban, rural and suburban areas. The corridors cover well over 50,000 miles, which, if transformed into routes along roads and trails, would create the largest official bicycle route network in any country or on any continent."
This all sounds really awesome to me, An interstate bicycle highway system could really change the way American society views cycling as a mode of transportation. I think it could get allot of people ridding. Especially people like my fiancée who would like to bike more, but is simply to scared to due to lack of safe bike lanes and infrastructure.
Perhaps also this is a fitting time to start such an endeavor, begging construction of the Interstate highway system helped move our country out of the the first great depression. With the current climate of financial turmoil and the emptying of the American pocket. A green supper high way of bike lanes would certainly be a useful thing. Lets hope the automakers, oil companies and Republicans don't conspire to fuck this thing up.

3 comments:

WheelDancer said...

This is the best news I have heard in a long time!

rusty said...

Amazing. Let's just keep the walkers off them! ;)

erik k said...

yes, there has to be an absolute ban on all type of dog walking. I do however propose and exception for any dog powered bike rig