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.
If the number of cyclists here seems to be increasing, that’s because it is," writes Andesheh Nouraeh.
In fact, "[between 2000 and 2009, Atlanta (the city, not the metro area) registered the country’s highest increase in bike commuting." And that was before the initial sections of the BeltLine opened, which provides a beautiful and popular bike facility for residents of Atlanta.
Nouraen goes on to provide insight into the current planning and advocacy discussion about how the city might continue to improve its bicycle infrastructure: "As more cyclists arrive, the city is trying to accommodate them. Speaking to the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s commuter breakfast in August, Jonathan Lewis of the city’s planning and transportation department said additional bike lanes are included in Atlanta’s comprehensive infrastructure bond issue that will face a referendum next year. While the total has not been finalized, the coalition is petitioning for $37 million in cycle-related improvements, which it claims could add an additional 100 miles of bike-friendly roadways."
The article acts as a brief primer for people who might not be informed about all the infrastructure, social, and political issues surrounding. The article celebrates the joys of biking and provides road configuration diagrams, but it also has to spend some time in a defensive stance by indicting the behavior of what a source cited in the article calls "dude bros": "people whose aggressive riding, disregard for the rules of the road, and confrontational attitude can turn drivers against all bike commuters."
FULL STORY: Can Atlanta, a city built for cars, make room for bikes?
Our Elders are Leading the Bike Boom
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.
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.
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.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
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