HomeMy WebLinkAboutBicycling Public Comment from Barbara Geller 5-29-14From:Barbara Geller
To:Agenda
Subject:Bike riding rates & Protected bike lanes
Date:Thursday, May 29, 2014 8:11:35 AM
Here’s a great article about increasing the percent of bike riders (essentially, we have to make them
feel safe) and the advantages of protected bike lanes.
Of note:
1. high-quality bike infrastructure can boost local commerce along the cycling routes, often
dramatically. For example, after a protected bike lane was installed on New York City’s Ninth
Avenue, NYC DOT recorded a 49% increase in retail sales along the corridor. Meanwhile, a Portland
study found bike commuters spend 40% more at local businesses than their car-driving
counterparts.
2. in America, cycling rates have yet to surpass 1%. In Denmark, 16% of all trips are by bicycle. In the
Netherlands, the number is 27% nationwide and 57% in cities.
My suggestion: take out a lane of parking and put in protected bike lanes on Babcock and
Mendenhall around downtown. It would boost commerce, boost ridership and keep bicyclists off
Main Street.
http://momentummag.com/features/the-rise-of-the-north-american-protected-bike-lane/
Barbara Geller