I’ve really been struggling this week about what and if I should say anything about the crisis in the auto industry right now.  I have several friends with jobs in this industry and I know whatever happens, there will be devistating effects for this state.

So instead of mapping out what gloom and doom lies ahead for Michigan, I’ll try to point out perhaps just a little bright spot.

And hey, as Monty Python sing in The Life of Brian: “Always look on the bright side of life.” Right?

So here’s the bright spot that I am seeing.  Oddly enough, it has to do with sustainable transportation.

I just finished reading a letter President-Elect Barack Obama recently wrote to Transportation for America.

In that letter, Pres-Elect Obama speaks directly to the need for us to repair our aging infrastructure (roads, bridges, and transit system), invest in green technology, and support the creation of high speed rail in this country.

Granted, it appears he wrote this letter before the extent of the economic crisis became apparent.  But still, there is some opportuntity in all of this ickiness.

In his letter, Obama says “Everyone benefits if we can leave our cars, walk, bicycle and access other transportation alternatives.”

What I think he is alluding to is something I’ve thought a lot about lately.  And that is that are lots of ways we can get around (not to mention getDowntown).  And all of them present an opportunity for job growth, a new green economy, and other environmental, health, and economic benefits.

Just as it’s important to have diversity in our communities and in the ecosystem, it’s important to have diversity in our transportation system.  And we all can benefit from using the type of transportation that is best for what we want to do.

Recently, I spoke to someone who divided transportation into two sectors: Private transportation (such as bikes, cars, Zipcars, and of course, our own two feet) and Public transportation (such as planes, trains, taxis and buses).  As a society that tends towards individualism, it makes sense that we will continue to embrace more private forms of transportation.  And there’s a lot of opportunity in the future to innovate and create even better forms of private transportation that are green, healthy, and good for our communities.

At the same time, I am seeing more and more young people and people in high-tech industries embracing more public forms of transportation.  Seeing the BTB Party bus, getmedowntown and UM students using the LINK and other AATA buses in our community point to this trend.

So as we move forward into a new Presidental Adminstration, and as we continue to address the changing landscape of the transportation industry, I hope we can see the opportunity admist the fear.  Because whatever happens, we will need to keep moving.  And if we can invent something as ingenious as a car, surely we can invent the sustainable transportation of the future.