Electric bicycles are coming on to the market to provide assists along San Diego's famously hilly terrain. In 1994, the federal government created an interagency task force for bicycling and walking. It told its members to think of more and safer ways for cyclists and walkers to get around. We're trying to say they have a right to be on the road and provide facilities for their safety. The Clean Air Act has encouraged more federal funding for bike trails, bike racks and other programs that help cyclists and, in turn, cut car exhaust.
Most car trips are less than seven miles.
Substituting a bike for short trips makes so much sense, for so many reasons. Health wise, biking provides aerobic exercise at any level of effort you choose, instead of being slouched in a car seat. Environmentally, the only better option is walking. There is no fossil fuel used, no poisonous cold-start emissions, no noise, etc. The indirect costs of car use and abuse is far higher to all of us, including global climate change.