Originally Posted by
buzzman
I dream that one day I'll be able to do my ride across Massachusetts using a dedicated bike trail...
Trails are a nice amenity for those who prefer them, but are not, and never will be, an adequate substitute for roads. Even in places with an excellent network of bike side paths and trains cyclists still have to start and end their trips on roads.
Morever, if experience is any indicator, trails aren't laid out and maintained as well as roads. Some of the nicest trails we have here cannot be ridden consistently at anything above 15mph and are prone to mud and silt cover every time it rains. They're nicely suited for recreation, but not reliable for transportation.