Originally Posted by
Pop N Wood
Well clearly "rural" was the wrong word.
The US has built a completely different way of living compared to Europe, NYC notwithstanding. I live in the burbs of DC/Baltimore, one continuous city really, but bicycling for transport is difficult here. Everything involves a drive. The US tends to grow outward as populations increase. Europe doesn't have quite the same option. Also don't forget Europe taxes the snot out of gas and even automobiles.
No I hear what you are saying, build it and they will come. Unfortunately that is problematic for the majority of the US. Places like Europe and China have millions of bicycle commuters, so they build infrastructure to support that. We would be be building infrastructure with the hope bike commuters show up. Much harder sell
If we ever get serious, we will need to remake parts of cities to make them more energy efficient, and reduce pollution, and improves safety and liveabilty. Netherlands does it right. They also cost less, suburbs are a like a Ponzi scheme, they throw away a LOT of money.