As the situation with regard to unemployment, energy and global warming deteriorates, our current leaders speak of putting in place a series of measures they hope will lead to eventual solutions. The keyword is "eventual."
In the meantime, I propose that, where feasible, local governments begin constructing networks of all-year, all-weather, overhead, plexiglass-encased passageways for bicycles and pedestrians that would simultaneously isolate users from automobile traffic/pollution and inclement weather.
Jobs in construction would be created; energy use would decline; there would be greater impetus for normally sedentary individuals to get needed exercise. This would be a far better use of our taxes than roads and bridges to nowhere.
kendall j.t. walls