National Park Service Proposes Removing Automobile Infrastructure From The National Mall, Citing Historic Preservation

That blockbuster story comes via Dave Alpert:

Line said the Mall is covered by the same laws as other national parks such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. Putting a bike station on the Mall would violate the National Historic Preservation Act because a station would be seen as going against the historical purpose of the Mall and its monuments.

"The National Park Service reflects an American heritage and what a particular park means to American citizens, not (necessarily) at (the) convenience of select individuals," Line said.

Oh, wait, they're talking about a Capital Bikeshare station not about the highway ramps and automobile-only asphalt. That stuff's there because of American heritage rather than the convenience of select car owning individuals.