Commuting - More commuters in Atlanta in 2003?

I ran across this today and thought it was very interesting. I can already hear the cagers screaming and complaining. :D :beer:

http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/epaper/editions/wednesday/metro_d31905cbd65a909f0045.html

I am in the ranks of bicycle fantasisers (is that a word?) that dreams the world will give up their automobiles for bicycles.

Alas, the reality is that the laws will be changed again to fit the path of least resistance. That means lowering the standards for gas emissions and fuel consumption.

Originally posted by mike
I am in the ranks of bicycle fantasisers (is that a word?) that dreams the world will give up their automobiles for bicycles.
Fantasy ... dream ... yup, that's about right. ;)

They're probably interested in routing people towards public transportation more than anything. I did see more bike commuters this year - althought I saw a lot of them parked at the bus stop waiting for a lift.

Originally posted by mike
I am in the ranks of bicycle fantasisers (is that a word?) that dreams the world will give up their automobiles for bicycles.

Alas, the reality is that the laws will be changed again to fit the path of least resistance. That means lowering the standards for gas emissions and fuel consumption.
Mike, you are such a humble guy to hit the nail on the head so squarely and plainly with so little fanfare (in contrast to me.)

I am also in those ranks of dreamers you speak of. :)

A world without dreamers would not only be very boring, it would be very primitive.

Kinda makes you wonder why drivers don't give bicyclists a little more respect. Every one of us makes it possible for every one of them to keep driving without getting clean air violations. I know they don't see it that way but I wonder sometimes what the road would be like if they did. Maybe the DMV next time could have an adopt a cyclist type thing where the next time they register their car the lady at the desk says, "And you can keep your stinking car on the road this year because John So and So decided to start bike commuting" (maybe they would realize that we really aren't slowing them down but making it possible for them to drive!). Anyway, I guess I myself am fantasizing a little. I don't see the air getting cleaner, and I certainly don't see anything like the former thought happening either. Guess I'll have to live with it.

David Farren, the senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, which is leading court challenges against the state and region's air quality plans, said Georgia should stick with its clean-air rules. But he added the state is going to great lengths to avoid making tough transportation decisions, such as putting more money in rail and bus options.

"They would rather focus on these technological fixes rather than maximizing investments in the transportation sector that would help to bring about clean air," Farren said.



Yup sounds about right. We've got the same problems with Ol' Jebadiah What-his-face maybe after he bails out his crackhead kid.