In a bid to remedy the incessant traffic snarls that plague Riga's streets, the city's Transport Department has proposed a revolutionary solution described by Mayor Eugēnijs Kušķis as 'a feathered leap forward in urban mobility'. The initiative, dubbed the Beak & Barrel Mobility project, will see an airborne fleet of lightweight, passenger-carrying contraptions tethered to what is hoped will be Riga's most industrious workforce: the pigeons.

In a press conference that took place amidst a flurry of feathers and curious cooing, Mayor Kušķis elaborated on the plan's innovative approach. 'Riga already offers a scenic backdrop for our beloved pigeons. Why not employ these magnificent creatures towards solving one of our biggest urban challenges? By harnessing their proven ability to navigate complex routes, we could finally see an end to vehicular gridlocks.'

The plans have sparked fluttering debate. The proposal details suggest each transport module would carry a maximum of four passengers and would be pulled by a team of specially trained pigeons along predetermined skies above the city roads. This system, according to Transport Engineer Nolējiens Lidoņš, could reduce ground traffic by over 30% when launched. 'Each pigeon squadron will receive rigorous aviation training that includes precise navigation and synchronized wingbeats. We estimate that our feathered fleet can sustain a cruising speed of 5 km/hr—finally, congestion will be a species of the past,' Lidoņš stated with notable conviction.

However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Local ornithologist Dr. Valdis Dziedātājs warns of potential complications. 'While the idea is certainly groundbreaking, one must consider the pigeons' well-being. We will need to develop nutritional regimes to sustain these aerial commuters, not to mention the ethical implications of avian-led public transport. The humans might enjoy their sky rides, but what about the pigeons?' commented Dr. Dziedātājs, flapping open a book titled ‘Understanding Sky Commutes’.

The broader public response has been as varied as the birds themselves. Residents appear largely divided along those who see a whimsical utopia of flying carriages dappled with sunlight and those privately skeptical over pigeon dropping management. 'I think it's fantastic! I mean, who wouldn't want to commute with the breeze under your wings, literally?' expressed Liga, a starry-eyed arts student, while others predict a potential increase in hat sales due to rooftop pigeon ‘bombardments’.

Despite concerns, the city has already begun test deployments in Old Riga, where results have been mixed but undeniably entertaining for onlookers. 'So far, the testing phase has cascaded quite well with only a few minor mishaps—mostly involving pigeons distracted by bread on the cathedral steps,' reported Test Pilot and avid bread-thrower, Ilze Maizegrauds.

The initiative is slated to launch in earnest this spring, optimistically timed with the annual bird migration season as an army of pigeons restock Riga's skies. Whether or not this flamboyant experiment will take off is yet uncertain, but one thing is clear: in Riga, the horizon is as vast as a flock of opportunity.