Tag: bike lanes

America’s 10 Best Bike Lanes

Posted on by robbie

It was just seven short years ago that that New York City created the United States’s first protected bike lane. Since them, as part of an effort to get more cyclists on the road, more communities across the country have embraced safer bike lanes.
Currently,  there are 183 projects throughout the U.S., according to PeopleForBikes, an advocacy group based in Colorado. The organization recently mapped out the best projects and designs cropping up; as protected bike lanes become the norm, smaller cities should take note of these standout designs.
“Last year there were only a handful of cities building protected bike lanes. It was really the cool cities — the innovative, creative leaders,”says Martha Roskowski, head of the Green Lane Project program. “Now, we’re seeing a lot of other cities are getting on-board and implementing them.”
Among the top is San Francisco’s Polk Street, which is distinguished by its separation from cars and opposite flow of traffic, according to Martha Roskowski, who heads PeopleForBike’s Green Lane Project program.
Here are the top 10 projects, according to PeopleForBikes:

  1. Polk Street, San Francisco
  2. 2nd Avenue, Seattle
  3. Riverside Drive, Memphis, Tenn.
  4. Rosemead Boulevard, Temple City, Calif.
  5. Furness Drive, Austin, Texas
  6. Broadway, Seattle
  7. SW Multnomah Boulevard, Portland, Ore.
  8. Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh
  9. King Street, Honolulu
  10. Broadway, Chicago

While many Dutch and European bike lanes are uniform design, Roskowski notes that American projects have taken on distinct characteristics based on each city. Chicago and Seattle have prioritized low-cost strategies, while San Francisco bike lanes are focused more on aesthetic. But each design has its benefits. For example, the cheaper model, she adds, helps cities get more residents to adapt the model.

“As you get more people riding, it builds support to go back and do more robust facilities,” Roskowski tells Fast Company. “The big jump in ridership happens when you really make those connections — point A to point B — and people can get where they want to go.”

MORE: The Verdict on Protected Bike Lanes
 

How Raised Bike Lanes Can Protect Bikers and Drivers Alike

Posted on by robbie

Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen have long been recognized for their bike-friendly streets, and now Chicago and San Francisco are looking to their European counterparts for tips on road safety for cyclists.
Next year, San Francisco will unveil its first raised bikeway, a one-block long “showcase” project as a part of the Mission Valencia Green Gateway project, which includes other street improvements like wider sidewalks. Chicago also began building its first one-and-a-half block of raised bike lane this summer, and if the pilot is successful, it will lead to more stretches of the separated path throughout the city.
Raised bike lanes are a subtle way to protect cyclists, separating bikers from cars without the physical bulkiness of barriers. Protected lanes involving barriers can also sometimes make it difficult for drivers who are turning right to see a biker. Barriers can also prove to be confusing to pedestrians and hard to drain or clear away snow.
But the elevated bike paths, which are typically raised by just a few inches above street level, easily prevent cars from interfering, while also remaining separate from the sidewalk. Aside from aesthetic differences, raised bike lanes can also be less costly, according to Fast Company.
Chicago and San Francisco are not the only two cities to experiment with elevated bike lanes. The Oregon cities of Bend, Portland and Eugene, as well as Atlanta and Denver have also incorporated the smart design into their streets.
As more cities recognize the benefits of supporting cyclists, it’s good to see American cities embrace infrastructure that’s proven successful elsewhere.
MORE: What Has Two Wheels, Two Pedals and Can Boost the Economy?

This Intersection Redesign Isn’t Just a Bicyclist’s Dream. It Could Save Lives

Posted on by robbie

Even though more and more bike lanes are popping up along our roads, cyclists are entirely exposed when they’re crossing the street. But thanks to a recent proposal from Portland-based urban planner Nick Falbo, our roads may soon be much safer.
Following the model of bike-friendly Dutch roads, Falbo illustrates his vision of a protected intersection in the video above that allows riders to be physically separated from motorists even at crossings. It includes features such as a corner refuge island, a stop bar for bicyclists to yield to pedestrians, increased visibility of bikers for motorists, and allows for shorter distances to pedal across the street. “Take it together, these design elements create a safe, clear experience for all people using the street,” Falbo says in the video.
Biking is great for our cities. It promotes health, reduces traffic congestion, and it’s much better for the environment. But the road can be a dangerous place for bicyclists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,more than 700 cyclists were killed and 49,000 were injured in traffic on American streets in 2012. Protected intersections could help keep our roads safe and encourage cycling. You can learn more about Falbo’s vision on his website.
MORE: Here’s a Simple Way to Get Your Community Interested in Better Bike Lanes