Absolutely agree with you. Unfortunately in the US, auto makers and the peripheral industries have the politicians and most of the public opinion in a death grip
It isn't worth holding our breath for even a token bike highway project LOL :(
US highways are not particularly scenic, but they are generally quite bike friendly (not limited access roads, just highways), with construction standards calling for full width shoulders. It's local roads where there isn't much room.
There's also a lot of recreational paths that end up making areas quite a lot more bike accessible. And I mean rail trails extending for tens of miles along transport corridors, not just trails to nowhere in parks.
US bikes aren't allowed on interstates, but they are allowed on major roads which do have nice shoulders
Unfortunately, even with wide shoulders and good visibility, "accidents" still happen thanks to unalert/hostile drivers (check out the recent terrible death of Mike Hall in Aussieland)
Rail trails are pretty cool to be honest, and there is a good and much needed network here. Of course, it will never be as extensive or well maintained as auto roads are here in the US for political reasons
US bikes aren't allowed on interstates, but they are allowed on major roads which do have nice shoulders
Yes, that's why I said "(not limited access roads, just highways)", because of the ambiguity in the word "highway". A couple of states do allow bike access on a large portion of limited access highways, mostly in the west.
We don't have bike trails because they are expensive and little used (because of population density more than anything). That's a political reason, it isn't exactly a surprising or awful reason.
in my home state we have one of the longest bike trails in the US, but it's pretty useless for getting anywhere. It's a beautiful trail but doesn't go into any metropolitan areas. I'd think my favorite biking concept is the parked car protected lane. similar to how sidewalks would be, but with no curb between the parked cars and the bike lane.
It isn't worth holding our breath for even a token bike highway project LOL :(