Cycling
What Would it Take to Ditch Your Car?
A conversation series from the National Trust for Historic Preservation asks what it would take for people to ditch their cars and rely solely on walking, cycling and public transportation.
Talking Open Streets and Ciclovias
Next American City talks with urban designer and bicycle planner Mike Lydon about cycling, ciclovias, and open streets.
Multi-Modal Level-Of-Service Goes Mainstream: Chickens Can Finally Cross Roads
Why didn’t the chicken cross the road? Because pedestrian Level-Of-Service was below “C”.
Changing Travel Demands: Implications for Planning
The graph below shows the most recent USDOT vehicle-travel data covering the last 25 years. Although vehicle-miles of travel (VMT) grew steadily during most of the Twentieth Century, in recent years the growth rate stopped and even declined a little. It is now about 10% below where it would have been had past trends continued.
Valuing The Precious Hours Of Our Lives
Time is a limited and valuable resource. As much as possible, people should spend the precious hours of their lives in the most satisfying and productive possible ways. This has important implications for transportation planning, since most people spend a significant amount of time in transport, and travel time savings are often the greatest projected benefits of transport projects such as roadway and transit service improvements.
Healthy Community Planning - What's It Worth?
We live in a wonderful age! Scientists have proven that many simple, affordable, and often enjoyable activities make us healthier and happier: breath fresh air, avoid dangerous driving, be physically active, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, maintain friendships, play games, and avoid excessive stress. Even chocolate, red wine and sex are perscribed, in moderation, for health sake.
Increasing Bike Ridership Means Pulling in Women
In the U.S., men bike far more than women. Some researchers suggest that understanding and meeting the demands of women is the best way to increase overall ridership.
How Transferable is Holland's Bike Culture?
Cyclists hear a lot about how much better the biking is in Europe. The Brooklyn Paper takes a look at why, and whether or not the lessons of Amsterdam are applicable in the US.
London Mayor Cuts Cycling Funds
London mayor Boris Johnson is facing backlash for withdrawing money from bike route funds to rephase traffic lights, among other things. The move is less than effective for making London a "true cycling city," say critics.
Have Bike Lanes, Cyclists Will Travel
Cyclists are much more likely to use bike lanes when they're available -- even if it means going out of their way and taking longer routes, according to a recent study from Portland State University.
A Snapshot of Cycling in Upstate New York
An Albany newspaper takes a look at cycling in the Capital District: cycling is up, and advocacy groups are working to take advantage of it.
Cities React as Drivers Become Cyclists
Across the country, cities are trying to figure out how to handle the rising tide of cyclists riding through their streets. A common reaction is to offer classes on safe cycling.
Employers Going Beyond Requirements for Commute Alternatives
Employers in the Seattle area are outpacing City Hall in providing incentives to employees not to drive to work in single occupancy cars. A state law even requires companies with 100 or more commuters to provide alternative commuting plans.
Bicycling in U.S. is Risky Business
The US has never encouraged cycling as a practical mode of travel, and as a result, biking to work is a rare and hazardous activity, with four times the fatality rate of some European countries. A Rutgers University study shows how that can change.
It's Just Like Riding A Bike...Mostly, Kinda
What can leaders of a particularly hilly city do to encourage cycling? Well, they can try making it easier to ride a bike.
Simple Cycling Solutions
Now that the weather in Los Angeles has gone from pleasant to perfect with the subtle advent of spring, I've been spending more time risking my life atop my bicycle as I wend my way to meetings and errands. As a faithful urbanist I have little trouble convincing myself of cycling's merits, which, as former California State Health Officer Dr. Richard Jackson likes to say, can "improve your life span, lower your blood pressure, make you better looking, improve your sex life, and save you money." Sounds good to me.
A Billion Reasons to Take Biking Seriously
Sometime in the last year – when the smart people in North America weren't looking – bike-sharing turned into a billion-dollar industry. I may be exaggerating when I say “industry.” But not “billion.”
Smart Growth Safety Benefits
Many families move to sprawled, automobile-dependent suburbs because they want a safe place to raise their children. They are mistaken. A smart growth community is actually a much safer and healthier place to live overall.
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
