Cycle Tours

NYT
This idea is really attractive in my opinion, as you get to experience a city in a way that would not exist either by transit or by car. I think it will encourage more people to try out cycling and potentially uncover some very scenic or unique cycling routes that will enhance the experience of local riders. For potential travelers that would follow this tour nationwide, it would be a great way to experience all the sights and sounds at a faster speed than a pedestrian but slow enough for you to appreciate the environment and all of its offerings. Of course, with a potential for a large group I would hope that some minimal cycling experience is required to make sure things progress smoothly.

More Transit Riders

NYT
This is an encouraging sign to say the least. While mass transit is only viable to most people in relatively dense urban settings, the fact that ridership has gone up shows that they may see a load shift from low occupancy vehicles and all the things that come with it(parking, varying fuel stations, etc) may dwindle and lead to an even greater footprint for MTA and the like. While I do believe that fuel prices have something to do with the increased ridership, I also think that the improved security and patrolling of transit areas from the 80's to today allow a far more diverse group of people to utilize the system.