Ajenkins, Rail is, like I said, critical to our nation's transportation needs. See my point above -- we work to convert rails to trails only after the rail company has deemed further use impractical. We then work with local groups to preserve the corridor - once lost, it would be lost forever.

BUT - not useful... slow... dangerous?? Explain?

Interesting thoughts on helmets, closetbiker. I'm passing this all off to our research team to look into further. Thanks for flagging it. I do think that you're right that the personal health benefits of cycling are truly necessary in a largely sedentary culture.

cudak888 - then I guess I didn't understand your question. Clarify? Thought you were asking about preservation. I'm not familiar with rail-specific preservation, if that's what you're asking about.