Robert,
    Me too!   But this requires a complete change of mind-set by Americans. 
They're not used to sharing anything, least of all their roads, because they're
in a hurry (going no place). And, where they're going is a heck of a lot more
important than where that cyclist, little kid, or senior citizen is going to.  
OK, a little sarcasm.  But, they do need to realize that others need to use the
roads too to get to where they need to go.  They've been mesmerized, by the car
manufacturers, to think that you haven't reached full adult-hood unless you own
a two-ton or larger, self-propelled piece of tin.  It's an ego/image thing.  -- 
"We're American;  we deserve to live on a higher level than the rest of the
world, and that includes everyone owning at least one car."  ( I crack-up when I
see a local guy driving his sit-on lawnmower around his tiny city lot.   He's
barely got room to maneuver.  But, he's got to have something to drive. 
"Walking?  Oh, no, I can't do that.  And, his honking SUV sits in driveway, not
in the garage, because it's too big to get into the garage.  I've never seen him
haul anything other than a couple bags of groceries.) 
     People don't think this way in others parts of the world.   I'm sure you
know that too.  But, how do we  transform the American mindset into one like the
European mindset where a car is more a toy and stays parked in the garage most
of the time, and the people innately understand that everyone has to use the
roads to get to where they're going, and walking, cycling, riding buses/trains
are normal?  Driving a car everyplace, including one block to the store to buy a
bottle of milk, is not normal or acceptable.  ???
   What do you think? 

Sandy B. 

You were given a Republic, if you can keep it.

--- On Fri, 3/13/09, howmanlaurence <dw847@...> wrote:
From: howmanlaurence <dw847@...>
Subject: [bicyclingadvocacy] Re: FW: Which street would you prefer in your
community?
To: bicyclingadvocacy@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 11:14 AM












The Answer to that is simple!!

I would like roads where bicycles are treated as vehicles and not as rolling
pedestrians. All roads should have a sidewalk but bike lanes and paths do not
mean safety for cyclists They were invented to ensure Motor vehicles have a road
clear of slow moving vehicle like bikes.



--- In bicyclingadvocacy@ yahoogroups. com, "Robert J. Matter" <rjmatter@.. .>
wrote:

>

>

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------

> From: Ilana Preuss, Transportation for America <info@...>

> Date: Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 9:54 AM

> Subject: Tell Congress our streets are for everyone

> To: heather.stratton@ ...

>

>

> [image: Transportation For America Logo]

> <http://org2. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=mtzktRxVEI
LCNwQpE36qkt5L2R %2BdikLZ>

>

>

> Dear Heather,

>

> *Which street would you prefer in your community?*

>

> [image: Which street would you prefer to live

> on?]<http://org2. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=qQahJrYo3g
Na524qf6BE195L2R %2BdikLZ>

>

> *Ask your representative and senators to co-sponsor the Complete Streets Act

> of 2009.<http://org2. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=%2FIoExdlu
v9Fgr0Pu% 2BcR1vN5L2R% 2BdikLZ>

> *

>

> *Ever found yourself walking down a five-lane road with no sidewalk?* Been

> forced into a close call with traffic while biking through a busy

> intersection? Or watched your kids cross a street with no crosswalks to

> catch their school bus?

>

> Those frightening experiences are all too common. But *it doesn't have to be

> that way,* as anyone who's ever strolled down a tree-lined sidewalk or

> ridden on a well-designed bike lane can attest.

>

> We have a chance right now to get Congress to *change those old

> road-building habits* and make sure our streets are safe and inviting for

> everyone who uses them - not just those driving cars.

>

> *Make sure your representatives and senators become co-sponsors of "complete

> streets" legislation. <http://org2. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp?
v=2&c=2CTISHhysk PBtFdCDb7RvN5L2R %2BdikLZ>

> *

>

> *One-third of Americans either can't drive or choose not to.* Yet, most

> communities around the country are laced with roads that are inhospitable,

> at best, to people traveling by foot, bicycle, or public transportation. For

> older Americans, children, and people with disabilities, these kinds of

> streets are especially dangerous.

>

> Complete streets dramatically change the fabric of a community, making it

> possible for children to walk and bike to school safely, giving seniors more

> security traveling to appointments, and providing everyone with safer,

> greener and more convenient ways of getting around without their cars - a

> smart option, considering almost half of all our trips are under three

> miles.

>

> Local governments are already leading the way. More than 80 state and local

> governments have passed ordinances mandating that new road construction

> provide a full menu of transportation options to meet the needs of everyone

> using the road. *Now we need Congress to take the next step.*

>

> This week, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa and Congresswoman Doris Matsui of

> Sacramento introduced legislation into Congress that would require all state

> and metropolitan transportation authorities to adopt and begin implementing

> complete streets policies within two years.

>

> *But they won't be able to make complete streets into law without more

> co-sponsors on Capitol Hill.*

>

> *Ask your representative and senators to become co-sponsors of this bold

> national complete streets

> initiative.<http://org2. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp?
v=2&c=t67T6cq2cZ 4jZX%2BfQ% 2BQLg95L2R% 2BdikLZ>

> *

>

> Complete streets are cost-effective, allow people to fight climate change by

> leaving their cars at home, improve safety for everyone using the road, and

> encourage active lifestyles that will reap benefits for a generation. We

> must change the status quo and make our streets safe and accessible for

> everyone, and that change can start with this complete streets legislation.

> Thank you for your support of our campaign.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Ilana Preuss

> Outreach and Field Director

> Transportation for America

>

>

> You're receiving this newsletter because the email address

> heather.stratton@ ... is signed up with Transportation for

> America. Unsubscribe

> here<http://org2. democracyinactio n.org/dia/ track.jsp? v=2&c=2SdftcN0zX
RAH0DgqumU8Z8YdQ xyCzZa>

> .

>

> Transportation For America info@...

> 1707 L Street NW #1050 Washington, DC 20036

>































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