They’re probably the most positive local news provider in terms of coverage of pedestrian and cycling issues, so that would lead me to believe that their statement was more a contrast of cyclist types, and a jab at the lycra crowd.

I quote from the Free Bikes story, “the Dutch-designed models feature leather handgrips, an embossed leather saddle, rear mud shields and a bell. No word yet on whether they’re also considering providing Lycra bodysuits.”

Writers for The Villager should get out and travel more and see how 90% of most biking is done oversees. (Hint: http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com )

That said, of course there are aerodynamic adjustments you can make to the shape of a train — but when we do that, it doesn’t come out looking like a plane so much as like the head of a snake

I’ll add another false analogy that drives me up the wall: the nuts who say “I just walked right on the train and didn’t have to go through security!” You sure did, honey, because you can’t crash a train into a skyscraper.

THIS!

In 1969 the Pennsylvania introduced the Metroliners on what would eventually become the North East Corridor. The railroad was desperate to defend it’s short haul traffic in the area against the then very real threat of soon to be introduced short haul commuter helicopters (these didn’t become common due to the Pan-Am Helicopter Crash. With this threat in mind they consiously emulated aircraft in the design of these short haul cars.

Fast forward to the late 1970s. Amtrak has been created to take over the rail passenger business. It’ underfunded and saddled with ancient passenger equipment it has been forced to lease or purchase from the railroads. Amtrak needs new equipment fast and cheap. It goes to the various rail car builders for quotes. The Budd company figures that they can use thier existing tooling for the Metroliners to crank out new passenger cars for far cheaper and much faster then it would take any other firm to design and then tool up for new passenger car construction. Amtrak jumps at this chance new cars, cheap and fast, exactly what they needed.

And that’s why US passenger cars resemble airlines.

We have had the highest state and local taxes in the country as a share of income, excluding Alaska where a large share of those taxes come from oil, for decades. Where has it all gone? Who gets more? Who pays less? Dare anyone say?

No.

Ask yourself this question — what has fundamentally changed in six months, in two years? Nothing.

Except that those who matter now believe they have taken everything they can off the top, and its time for “very hard” budget cuts for everyone else.

The state legislature has been stealing our future for 15 years. Paterson was a member before becoming Governor, and so was Pataki. And the beneficiaries will not be giving anything back.

As long as people allow themselves to be deceived, and are not violently outraged, this will continue until there is nothing left. There is no restraint of conscience in Albany. None.