Great idea from Michigan: Low-speed "green highways" for bikes, EVs

An inn situated to provide rest to weary travelers about a day's travel from nearby cities. Image by Visit Hillsborough via Flickr

Given the emerging maintenance crisis with roads -- America can no longer afford to allow heavy trucks designed for long-hauling on the interstates to keep destroying most roads, many of which were the descended from deer-paths, this is an excellent idea.
As we begin to head down the economic slope, our decline caused by peak oil, we will necessarily have to stop allowing heavy trucks and vehicles to destroy all our paved roadways (starting with the smaller ones and then ultimately kicking them off the interstates when those are converted to electric rail and power distribution rights-of-way). We simply cannot afford all the road maintenance, which is why Michigan is among the states that are depaving some roads entirely.

The first step to eventual electrification of all long-distance travel could very well be limiting trucks to interstates only, and using all the "blue" (second-tier) cross-country highways for human- and battery-powered travel modes.

If you travel with your eyes open, you will often note that there were hamlets or inns situated about a day's ride or walk through much of the country. We're probably heading back to that -- with inns and hostels situated about an easy day's biking apart (or a full-charge distance for a lightweight EV). Roads last a lot longer when you get the heavy trucks and SUVs off them.