Angie Schmitt reports on a recent study which found that bicycle infrastructure is a good predictor of ridership for bike-share programs.
It's now quite evident that more and more U.S. cities are becoming bicycle-friendly. But for cities and communities that are just starting to invest in bicycle infrastructure, an active debate focuses around the question of whether bicycle lanes would entice more people to participate in a bike-share program, or vice versa.
Despite a report [PDF] by the FHWA suggesting bike-share programs can be successful regardless of the level of bicycle infrastructure in the area, Darren Buck of Bike Pedantic produced his own study which found otherwise. Says Buck, "the bottom line is that even after controlling for a variety of stuff, bike lane volume still emerges as a significant predictor of bikeshare ridership."
Dayton, Ohio is studying establishing a bike-share program, and based on his findings, Buck suggests first investing in more basic bicycle infrastructure before putting all of the city's eggs in one basket.
FULL STORY: Bike-Share and Bike Lanes: The Chicken and Egg Debate
Responding to Bike Improvement Skeptics
Communities can receive high economic returns from appropriate bicycle facility invesments. It is important that advocates have solid arguments for responding to skeptics.
Surveying the Weakest Arguments Against Bike Lanes
According to a recent newspaper editorial, "Egged on by the hardcore enthusiasts, New York City is spending lots of money, confiscating lots of lane-miles and basing its transportation policy on a fantasy." Who knew white paint is so threatening?
Got Protected Bike Lanes?
While Angie Schmitt doesn't ask this question in her article on the movement behind these lanes, she writes that cities without them "are being left behind". They're popular because they effectively address the #1 reason for not riding: safety
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
Downtown Los Angeles on the Rise: A Promising 2025
Fueled by new developments, cultural investments, and a growing dining scene, downtown Los Angeles is poised for significant growth in 2025, despite challenges from recent wildfires and economic uncertainties.
San Francisco Slow Streets Bucks Citywide Trend, Reducing Injuries by 61 Percent
Low-cost interventions aimed at slowing traffic are making a major impact on road safety.
How Single-Family Conversions Benefit Both Homeowners and Cities
Converting single-family homes to triplexes can ease the housing crisis and offer affordable, flexible options for more households. Why is it largely illegal?
Report: Transportation Equity Requires More Than Electrification
Lower-income households often lack the resources to buy electric cars, signaling a need for a more holistic approach to improving mobility and lowering transportation costs.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research