“Transportation, which is still 95 percent reliant on petroleum, is the world’s fastest growing energy-based contributor to greenhouse gases.  About three-quarters of the total comes from motor vehicles.  Few disagree that the best solutions include the adoption of electric vehicles and, especially in cities, making it easier for people to forgo cars by using public transportation or riding bicycles.”  –NYTimes, Despite Push for Cleaner Cars, Sheer Numbers Could Work Against Climate Benefits, retrieved 2015/12/7 at nytimes.com in the energy & environment section

The U.S. set out to be and has been a global leader in many things, both scientific and cultural.  Making it easier for people to bicycle is a timely area for us to apply ingenuity, adaptation, creativity and flexibility, American hallmarks.  It can be as simple as repurposing existing infrastructure and making design changes to induce more walking and bicycling.  Sharing knowledge on all the benefits from active transportation including improved health, social stimulation, a growing local economy, a network of safer routes, cleaner air, helps too.  Plus it makes people happier.  Making bicycling easier and using it to enhance our lifestyles is perhaps one of the most valuable areas of leadership we could develop, share and export.  The best example is set by doing it right here at home, and enjoying it, a positive transportation future.

The Senior Center in Corrales makes the future look fitting now, at least on the roof.  Parking is still taking lots of room

Attention to details in the roadscape raises our awareness to people choosing active transportation

The old Alameda bridge crossing the Río Grande still works great for low weight and simple conveyances