Complete Streets: About More than Just Bike Lanes
In many cities around the world, municipal governments are making dramatic changes to streetscapes. These changes, such as bike lanes, dedicated busways, and other traffic calming measures are designed to both improve safety for non-car users of streets and provide more transportation options for city residents. As is often the case following change, those who prefer the status quo have become vocal in their opposition to these improvements. Wealthy... Read More
Bike to Work Day
Spring is finally here in most of the country, which means it’s time to dust off your bike and hit the road. In the San Francisco bay area, today happens to be Bike to Work Day, an event which encourages commuters to try commuting by bicycle as an alternative form of transportation. My “how I get around Seattle” bike The benefits are threefold: 1. Health – bicycling is an excellent form of exercise. 2. Environmental... Read More
Infographic Shows Need for Better Bike Infrastructure in US
Check out this neat infographic about bicycle transportation in the United States: Click here to see a higher resolution version of the image. The graphic shows the states with the highest rate of bike mode use, the 10 cities with the largest share of bike use, and the ratio of female to male riders for each state and profiled city. The numbers represent each city’s rank as a Bicycle Friendly Community. Apparently, the ratio of female to male... Read More
Doha, Qatar – The New Bicycle City?
I rode my bicycle to and from work on the streets of Ahmedabad, India. A city where out of 100 residents only 15 to 18 use the existing public transport system and the streets are notoriously clogged with traffic. Some thought me crazy, but I was able to incorporate exercise into my routine and interact with my surroundings. I didn’t have to pay a bus or rickshaw fair and it gave me the satisfaction of feeling as though I was contributing to making... Read More
A Man and his Bicycle
"Oh the places you'll go..." I met a man in Buenos Aires a number of years ago who shared with me a bicycle tale of epic proportions. Alec, as the English gentleman was called, had been a young man during England’s post World War II reconstruction, and as soon as he was able, had joined the service. Once enlisted, Alec met another young soldier who he soon discovered shared his affinity for bicycles, and the men became fast friends.... Read More
Paving the Way for Bicycle Transportation in Cities
The bicycle is increasingly being seen as a viable urban transportation alternative in cities worldwide. Bike commuting has clear health, traffic congestion, and environmental benefits, and should be encouraged to help make cities more livable and sustainable. I love urban biking. The idea of cruising the streets in traffic is my idea of a good time. Recognizing that this practice might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I overwhelmingly support... Read More
