While biking might be seen as a young person's cause, new data from the National Household Travel Survey show that American's aged 60-79 are responsible for a huge chunk of new riders.
"The national surge in bicycling since 1995 may have more to do with healthy hips than with hipsters," proclaims Michael Andersen in a memorable lede.
"Between 1995 and 2009, the most recent year for which National Household Travel Survey data are available, the rise in biking among people ages 60-79 accounted for 37 percent of the total nationwide increase in bike trips."
Andersen goes on to detail the recent efforts of Atlanta, via the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, the Atlanta Area Agency on Aging, and Streets Plan Collaborative to attract new riders by converting a buffered bike lane to a protected bike lane.
Governing also has a map that provides a visualization of some of the survey data, specifically showing the growth or decline of biking in metropolitan areas.
FULL STORY: Surprise! People Aged 60-79 Are Behind More Than a Third of the Biking Boom
Making the Case for Biking in Atlanta
The take of a large culture publication like Atlanta magazine can be helpful in assessing the traction of a movement—in this case, biking in the city of Atlanta.
Cycling Rates Remain High Across the Country
The bike boom that began during the pandemic shows no signs of abating, according to a new report.
Denser Communities = More Calories Burned
Dr. Lawrence Frank (U. of British Columbia) et.al. looked at Atlanta to make the connection between health reform and transportation reform, devising a clever 'energy index'. While the index rose in denser neighborhoods, it didn't in mixed-use ones.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?
In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.
Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.
Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service