Would we enjoy cities if they were just one giant continuous neighborhood? The street speeds would be 20-25 miles per hour with stop signs every two to four blocks. Imagine going to work across town in any type of vehicle. That would take time. Without the main thoroughfares there just might be even more air pollution from all of the motor vehicles accelerating from all of those stop signs.

When I lived in Jefferson Parish in Louisiana, the I-10 divided the city. There were only six ways across it in almost ten miles. Just two of those crossings were even close to being safe for pedestrians or bicyclists.

Cars rule in that area. Perhaps small motor scooters could be a stop gap between what exists now and a great bicycling infrastructure. They don't cost a fortune. Poor people with some credit worthiness can purchase them and that would give them access to jobs too far for them to bicycle.

When I lived in New Orleans I gave up my car for a motorcycle. Then I got a small scooter and loved it more than the much bigger and faster cruiser. I still had to choose my routes because the top speed was only 39 mph. It was safer for me to travel on some roads using that than a bicycle, especially on the overpasses. The tiny Honda Metropolitan was no longer than a bicycle and often I locked it to bike racks at stores. Such a vehicle might be the only choice for poor people who can't afford a car and won't bicycle. We've read what cities are continuing to do to mass transit while trying to save money. The economic decline is limiting our choices more and more.