Bravo LaHood!

In the month since Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood stated alternative modes of transportation such as walking and biking should be considered in equal measure to automobiles in transportation planning and funding, there has been a frenzy of chagrined comments from fuming conservatives and trucking industrialists alike. Accusations that LaHood's position is "non-sensical," implications that he may be on drugs, and sarcastic comments that now our cargo systems will rely on back-packers, have all been flung about the proverbial ape's den that is the United States' House of Representatives. Oh my, who ever knew that non-motorized transportation could cause such a stir?

In reality, LaHood is responding to a viable demand from the American people- that we may exercise our freedom with the right to share the road safely, no matter what vehicle type we choose. Siting a survey which outline how most people want more mobility options in his official blog, Mr. LaHood explained his statements concerning bicycle policy by emphasizing that "people across America who value biking should have a voice when it comes to transport planning.... I didn't say they should have the only voice, just a voice."

Still, leave it to a near-sighted conservative like Rep. Steve LaTourette to take a sensible policy, one which is a part of the Obama administration's new livability initiative, and turn it into some radical liberal fantasy- as if Mr. Lahood has proposed that motorists' rights will somehow be diminished by opening up a discussion about transportation planning that includes a consideration of cyclists and pedestrians. Besides blatantly insulting the transportation secretary in the presence of congress, Rep. LaTourette also cried that new bicycle and walking paths must not be paid for using moneys from the United States gasoline tax- which would be fair enough, if so many walkers and bikers did not also drive cars.

And as LaHood rightly stated that he is not going to apologize for his plans to improve our transportation systems, he has been applauded not only by bicycle enthusiasts and the League of American Bicyclists, but also by environmentalists and strategic urban planners who believe that investing in infrastructure to support alternative modes of transportation would be holistically beneficial to society. Not to mention, it's what the people want. So, Bravo for Mr. LaHood. He is on the right path so far, and it's one that does not discriminate in favor of motorized car-culture! Hurray!