I agree. Each area has it's unique problems and solutions. Matching solutions to problems should be tailored properly.

Solutions in my area has had mixed results. In some cases, the results have been wonderful. But in other cases, solutions have been put in place that added no benefit and that made cycling more impractical, even dangerous. From the perspective of a new cyclist, they might have seemed helpful. But from my perspective, that of a cyclist already using a bike for transportation, the impractical solutions were painfully obvious. So I just avoided using them.

That's not to say I look down on "incompetant cyclists," I was a newbie once, too. But there is something to be said for the benefit of experience, and I think new cyclists can benefit from the perspective of more experienced cyclists as opposed to meekly adopting whatever solutions traffic engineers or other city planners put forth. I would guess some of these solutions were not even planned by cyclists, but that's only a guess, I could be wrong.

Then again, some of the more impractical solutions, from my perspective, might be very practical for new cyclists who don't want to get from A to B. They might just want a huge sidewalk to ride on for 20 minutes or so. That's up to them, but personally, I'd suggest they put their bike on their car and drive to the Silver Comet trail if they want a better experience. I understand that solutions vary not only according to locale, but cycling preferences and purposes.

I can't fathom implementing any more of solutions, like the more impractical ones, for transportation in my area, but others would differ, I'm sure. The important thing is to get input from all cyclists to make sure solutions are really meeting their needs.