Best Boulevard Bounce

Flexible sidewalks made of recycled tires could one day replace concrete sidewalks.

• Best of America

In 1998, Richard Valeriano, a Santa Monica public works inspector, had a dream about flexible, moving sidewalks. After experimenting with rubber, he developed a prototype to replace concrete sidewalks, which can be damaged by roots and lead to the trees’ demise. Lindsay Smith took up the idea and in 2001 launched Rubbersidewalks, turning used tires into cost-efficient walkways in 70 cities.

From Reader's Digest - May 2004