Beltline Bolsters Bike Beneficence

I just learned from Metroblogging Atlanta that NPR's "Morning Edition" will feature a series on Atlanta's Beltline. See the piece here. The Beltline proposes to create over 1200 acres of new "greenspace" (sic. government-backed neologism referring to spaces that were formerly another color), allegedly augmenting Atlanta "greenspace" by 40%; improve and link existing parks; create 33 miles of trails; and a transportation system. I've been on the fence about buying a bike to move about the city, but news of the Beltline project makes cycling that much more appealing. While cycling in an urban setting should always be approached with caution, Atlanta's serpentine thoroughfares and irrate drivers have me a little timid. A recent opinion piece in the Atlanta Journal Constitution justifies my fear.