More money spent on alternative means of transport can only be for the best. I don't know if it's the intention, but this is one of those policies that are multi-directional: the main point is to get us less dependent on oil so that things like the energy crisis don't damage our framework as much, but the result is things like the fact that people who walk and bike are healthier and tend to have stronger ties to their city because they have to engage with it, which creates stronger communities and more pride in how the city works, which creates stronger cities. And that leads to a stronger country, doesn't it? Being safer also means less stress, less fear and more willingness to try the new bike trails. More foot traffic means areas that couldn't support walk-in business now can.
Even if only a portion of people go along, that frees up a lot of resources, and maybe the people who don't walk or bike will be more open to other sorts of alt transport, because the main reason they didn't switch to the trails is because they live too far away or something. Then, well-run city buses are an option, or streetcars which can be run off batteries, or maglev trains, or any number of sleek and modern, energy-efficient, emissions-free, people-movers. Done correctly, they, too can foster a sense of community, of coming together when the usual society is more about individuality to the point of not even relating to anyone else and not caring about the place where you live because you don't even know your neighbors.
I think community is what will save us in the end: if everyone pulls together, the government can do anything, because WE are the source of it's power, ultimately. And it's about time we started doing something about that.
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