Here’s a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog. Don’t forget you can also follow the Metro Library on Facebook and Twitter.

Analysis of Google’s Bike-There feature (UtilityCycling)

Google’s long awaited Bike-There feature has been around for nearly a month and garnered both praise and criticism from cyclists. UtilityCycling provides an analysis of the tool and the algorithms used to compute bicycling directions. Those algorithms prioritize bike trails – something the author finds troubling since bike trails are often also filled with recreational pedestrians which can actually slow down a bike ride.

Can the High-Speed Rail Authority dodge a bullet? (CityWatch)

Metro and OCTA don’t want the California High-Speed Rail Authority spending precious transportation dollars on exclusive high-speed rail tracks along the L.A. – Anaheim corridor – a corridor that already has tracks (used by Metrolink and Amtrak) that can be shared with high-speed rail. In addition to the cost savings, sharing tracks will spare condemning houses and businesses along the route – a move that could breed ill will towards high-speed rail.

Q.&A.: Transportation Secretary on biking, walking and ‘What Americans want’ (New York Times)

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood talks about his plans for transportation in America – a plan which sets out to equalize all modes of transportation – and responds to critics who questions his intentions and the economic viability of such plans. LaHood says alternative transportation projects like bicycle infrastructure provide ‘bang for the buck’ by providing people with healthy alternatives to driving – something Americans want.

A year well spent: one year spent carfree (Imagine No Cars)

A Montana based blogger reflects on a year of carfree living and has no regrets. What he does have is $6,800 extra dollars this year – money saved by not having to pay for gasoline, auto insurance and car payments.