We can tell ourselves that things like the Community Preferences Survey are significant. However, I suspect that surveys would show most Americans are opposed to obesity and tooth decay. That doesn't mean most Americans are committed to healthful eating, wholesome exercise, or regular tooth-brushing.
I think there are much better reasons to tell ourselves that how we Americans choose to move is what really matters. Unlike words and check-boxes, movement has real impacts, especially if it involves a lot of mass moving at high speeds over long distances. Maybe you don't like the word "choose". OK, it is much less controversial to tell ourselves that most Americans don't have a choice but to drive everywhere, but that is total BS. The fact of the matter is that most Americans don't want to ADMIT they have all kinds of choices. "OK, we chose to live in exurbia; the soccer fields are 5 miles away; we aren't comfortable with little Brittany riding her bicycle there: let's find or create something for Brittany to do HERE - something that doesn't involve driving." America cannot afford all the lies we are telling ourselves - most of all the lie that most of us have no choice but to continue driving everywhere. You could say, "Why are you preaching to the choir?" Because as ped/bike/transit advocates we have a choice too: to tolerate lies or confront them. Hans Noeldner "If such a thing as free will is possible, it will manifest itself among citizens who live as though they already have it."
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