Re-think the infrastructure on this country?

The entire highway system is a Cars Only zone. We spend a lot of money on it already, in many, many ways. Why not have a protected bike/pedestrian lane alongside every road? I don't mean a sidewalk or a shoulder (although shoulders would also need to be considered along major highways), I mean a separate lane with some barrier to it. Very pricey? You betcha. You'd have to do overpasses on every exit, etc., so that they could go over traffic. Why spend the money? Well, gee...because we're all going broke over this fuel thing and not to mention the obesity/health insurance thing. Because, darn it, the whole country screams "don't walk!" in its setup.

While we're at it, alternative energy sources. We've had them for decades. Really, decades.

Solar panels have developed reasonably well. Why aren't they at least an option for homes being built? Why do the HOA's say "no" to them and anything else even a little bit environmentally friendly? (rain barrels, drought tolerant ground covers, clothes lines, solar panels, wind generators, etc.)

Whatever happened to dynamos? Yes, you can get a crank-powered flashlight. Woo hoo. While I love them, why not integrate them into our homes again? They've evolved as well. I want a stationary bike that powers things in my home. It's been done. I know it has. Let's do it again.

Engine designs, dear lord, engine designs. And not just for cars. Planes and trains, too. Alternative fuels, reduced fuel needs, etc. We're in a nosedive, here. Countries must secure and maintain energy sources, at whatever cost. This is a historical fact. We're doing it now. We're not doing a good job of it. Why not think in other directions? We could be independent of exernal fuel sources. No, really. It's possible. We grow enough food that can be used for fuels. We have enough rivers for turbines, enough wind for wind farms, enough roofs for solar panels. Not to mention all that stuff we haven't dreamed of yet.

OK, that was long. Had to get that out there. Economy is flailing. My interest rates go up a point every month. I don't know about the rest of you, but my consumer confidence has bottomed out.