Avid bicyclists, weekend bike riders, and people in favor of a greener transportation system in the country will be pleasantly surprised to learn that a national system of bicycle transportation is in the works. Cyclists won’t just be sharing traffic; they will be the traffic in a complete network of interconnected cycling paths across the country, creating a coast-to-coast route that will allow them to travel easily.

Ray LaHood, the U. S. Secretary of Transportation, made some startling comments—startling in a good way, that is!—about the system that make one goofily grin and wish for more green promises and ideas. “The U.S. Bicycle Route System is not just a bunch of bike paths; we're talking about a transportation system…. It will give people living in more rural areas a way to travel into a nearby urban area by bicycle. Urban and suburban residents will have better access to rural recreation areas. And—like our interstate highway system—it will facilitate long-distance travel by bicycle, whether across one’s state or across the country.”

Wow! If only the rest of our programs and plans were run in a similar fashion, by a similar philosophy. Granted, it’s not an all-out, “We’re doing this because it’s better for the earth!” message, but it’s a damn good start. I’d love to see a similar approach to a national electric bus system and other more sustainable methods of transportation, wouldn’t you? We utilized such a system in San Francisco and while it wasn’t the only system in the city, it was pretty reliable for our needs, and I didn’t notice anything about it that made it any different from the traditional system.

It’s time that we start putting our desire for convenience behind us and start making some compromises in favor of a more sustainable future. Using and promoting bicycles—and making them more accessible across the nation—is a great step in that direction. If it’s anything like the system in Europe, it’s sure to increase the number of cyclists in the country—not only lessening our dependence on oil, but also increasing our level of physical fitness. Of course, not everyone will participate—but, again, it’s a start.

And if we implement this system, other countries are sure to take notice and hop on board as well—not to mention the benefits it will provide us with in our global image, too.

Once implemented, will you utilize the national bike system?