Separate but equal? Ciclovia is the new shariah

The Christian Scientist Monitor reports that more and more U.S. cities are banning cars from the streets:

San Francisco - Every Saturday starting May 26 through Sept. 30, bicyclists, joggers, and pedestrians will have free rein on almost a mile of John F. Kennedy Drive, the main drag through Golden Gate Park. The usual denizens of the road – autos – will be banned, detoured elsewhere.

Vehicles are already prohibited in parts of the park on Sundays, and the decision to "go carless" on Saturdays as well concludes a heated seven-year debate. In the end, arguments that such road closures promote family activities, more active lifestyles, and tighter-knit communities carried the day.

The auto's demotion at Golden Gate Park follows dozens of similar moves in at least 20 American cities in the past three years. It's a trend that is gaining ground rapidly in the US, say urban planners.

City officials in Bogota, Colombia pioneered this practice, where it is known as "ciclovia." Incidentally, it is a great way to:

Promote the idea that cycling is unsafe unless no cars are involved.

Help justify other instances of vehicular segregation that aren't necessarily favorable to cyclists.

Turn invigoratingly car-choked roadways into nightmare MUPs filled with joggers, roller-skaters, baby strollers, and tiny dogs.