Research from Europe shows bike infrastructure doesn't add to urban traffic and can shift mode share from cars to bikes and reduce the need for solo car trips.

Despite claims that cycle lanes added during the pandemic contributed to an increase in London's traffic congestion, research shows the city's traffic was largely the same in 2021 as in 2019, before the bike lanes were installed. David Metz reports that cycle lanes actually reduce the share of trips taken by car, which could diminish congestion as well. Thanks in part to aggressive measures taken by the city to discourage car trips, the use of private transport in London fell from 48 percent to 37 percent between 2000 and 2019.
"It’s important to note that creating cycle lanes reduces the space available for cars but does not necessarily get people out of cars. Copenhagen is a city famous for cycling, with 28 percent of journeys made by bike. Yet car traffic is only slightly less than in London." Meanwhile, residents of Copenhagen take only half as many public transit trips as Londoners. In fact, "there are no major European cities with high levels of both cycling and public transport. "
With revenues from public transit ridership drastically reduced by the pandemic, Metz writes, it is investments in cycling infrastructure that would "make the most sense for reducing car use in London."
FULL STORY: Why Cycle Lanes Aren’t Responsible for Urban Congestion

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
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