Rant #1: Why can't the U.S. do better with pedestrians and bikes?

I've mentioned before that pedestrians and bikes are well accommodated by the path system here in Kuopio. One thing struck me yesterday that seems to be a significant difference between U.S. and Finnish infrastructure - Sidewalks are much wider here.  And, there seems to be a much greater likelihood of finding sidewalks on both sides of the street.

Here, a typical cross-section looks like this:

At home, the road width for the same type of road would be in excess of 25-30', and you'd be lucky to get a 5-6' sidewalk on one side.

Here, bikes and pedestrians share a much wider sidewalk, and motorized vehicles share a somewhat narrower roadway.  At home, you are more likely to see signs prohibiting bikes from narrower sidewalks - leaving their riders to fend for themselves in heavier motorized traffic.  The one place that bikes and pedestrians share infrastructure is on the bike paths or "multi-use paths" that might connect municipalities but rarely provide easy access to schools, shopping, or other amenities.   Take for example the Norwottuck Rail Trail connecting Amherst to Northampton by way of Hadley.  I can count on one hand the number of places that the rail trail allows direct access to shopping or other amenities along the 8-mile stretch of trail - and it not for a lack of shopping in Hadley!

My conclusion:  The U.S. needs wider sidewalks, narrower roads, and more connections from "multi-use paths" to amenities - especially where paths and amenities are already adjacent (Hadley Mall).  

None of this is news.  It happens to be on my mind and in my face as I enjoy making my way about a city (that has roughly the same number of inhabitants as Amherst, Hadley, and Northampton combined) without need or want for a car.