NONMOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION - THE FORGOTTEN MODES

For the last fifty years, the development of the U.S. transportation s ystem has focused on providing for travel by private motor vehicle. To day, many people have no choice but to use a car for even the shortest trips. This transportation monoculture is the product of very deliber ate policies, reflecting the special interests of the agencies and bus inesses directly connected to transportation. Serious problems are jus t around the curve, however, as we approach the limits of space, resou rces, and the carrying capacity of our environment. if we shift our vi ew of transportation from a commodity to a cost, we will adopt differe nt performance objectives, which will help lead us in the development of a more efficient, sustainable transportation system. This new syste m would feature greater attention to compact land use to make trips sh orter and would make it both possible and Likely that many people woul d choose to walk or bicycle.