mtn bike. affordable is relative to amount you want to spend!

Here are some references below.

Some people want bike lanes, some paved recreational paths. Others can live with dirt path signed easements, just signed, to start- which is pretty cheap.

Separating bikes and pedestrians from high speed, large object traffic is one of the best ways to encourage people to get out of their cars.

This brings lots of health benefits. It also lets kids bike to school alone- think of the savings.

It can keep seniors active, out of nursing homes, out from behind the wheel of cars and still in their home communities- again think of the savings.

Some Titles to google might be "safe bicycle streets" "complete streets" "Tea-21" and "Safe-Tea-21-LU"

one excerpt:

"Sometimes streets need to be redesigned to improve safety, access, and mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists. With wider sidewalks (resulting in narrower streets), more visible pedestrian crossings, and slower traffic speeds, parents can feel more comfortable allowing their children to walk and bike on their own. When children have more independence, parents are freed from chauffeur duty and adults venture out more often on foot or bike.

Clearly marked bike lanes or separated bicycle and pedestrian pathways and trails are some of the most effective ways to encourage people to walk and bike. Once completed, they tend to fill quickly. Multi-use paths also are popular with nearby residents and, according to a Rails to Trails Conservancy study, have even helped increase property values and lowered crime rates.6 Adequate bicycle parking facilities with assured security on school grounds can also dramatically increase the number of children biking to school who may otherwise be concerned about theft.

The Success of the Three Es
There are numerous success stories where school districts, towns, cities, states, and even countries have developed comprehensive programs that created safer streets around schools and increased the number of children and adults who walk or bike. The first pilot program was started in Denmark in 1976, when 45 schools identified specific road dangers to be addressed."

-=—
and:

"Complete streets encourage walking and bicycling for health.
The National Institutes of Medicine recommends fighting childhood obesity by changing ordinances to encourage construction of sidewalks, bikeways, and other places for physical activity.
A report of the National Conference of State Legislators found that the most effective policy avenue for encouraging bicycling and walking is complete streets.
One study found that 43% of people with safe places to walk within 10 minutes of home met recommended activity levels, while just 27% of those without safe places to walk were active enough."

maybe this can help get you started.

Some bike programs costy very little, less than one might think- volunteer taught safety programs, "share the road" signing, just repainting the lanes on some streets, making a few streets one-way and low speed for bikes, etc.

So get imaginative with some brainstorming sessions, and get people thinking of paybacks first. Sometimes state money can be easier to find.