If this is a pothole, bring 'em on...

Picture of Diamond Drive bike lane, looking ...umm..west, at this location (thanks for the correction, Stuart).

Secretary LaHood has gotten quite a bit of grief from the usual suspects after his policy statement supporting cycling as transportation (see some responses here). Interestingly, an AP story making the rounds on various news outlets posts a picture of our very own Diamond Drive bike lane as an example of the kind of features we might see under Sec. LaHood's tenure. This pic has appeared on Google, ABC news, and elsewhere. The ABC News story shows this picture under the caption "Transportation's Bicycle Policy Hits Potholes"
Heck, if readers see this picture as representing "potholes", bring 'em on! How can they resist this policy? Readers might think that bicycling is positively idyllic. The policy and link is below:

United States Department of Transportation Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations

Signed on March 11, 2010 and announced March 15, 2010

Policy Statement

The DOT policy is to incorporate safe and convenient walking and bicycling facilities into transportation projects. Every transportation agency, including DOT, has the responsibility to improve conditions and opportunities for walking and bicycling and to integrate walking and bicycling into their transportation systems. Because of the numerous individual and community benefits that walking and bicycling provide — including health, safety, environmental, transportation, and quality of life — transportation agencies are encouraged to go beyond minimum standards to provide safe and convenient facilities for these modes.

Authority

This policy is based on various sections in the United States Code (U.S.C.) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in Title 23—Highways, Title 49—Transportation, and Title 42—The Public Health and Welfare. These sections, provided in the Appendix, describe how bicyclists and pedestrians of all abilities should be involved throughout the planning process, should not be adversely affected by other transportation projects, and should be able to track annual obligations and expenditures on nonmotorized transportation facilities.

Recommended Actions

The DOT encourages States, local governments, professional associations, community organizations, public transportation agencies, and other government agencies, to adopt similar policy statements on bicycle and pedestrian accommodation as an indication of their commitment to accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians as an integral element of the transportation system. In support of this commitment, transportation agencies and local communities should go beyond minimum design standards and requirements to create safe, attractive, sustainable, accessible, and convenient bicycling and walking networks. Such actions should include: