In an effort to address the growing problem of traffic, and the prohibitive costs of expanding roads and infrastructure, mayors are now nudging residents to take up cycling. The transition from horsepower to pedal power helps save cities money, improves communities, and proves to be an effective climate solution.
The advantages of converting drivers into cyclists in cities are many, and mayors are taking note. In a recent survey released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, researchers found that mayors, from both sides of the aisle are warming up to expanding bike access in lieu of parking lots and expanded city streets. Cities already implementing these policies are finding some encouraging results. Improved land values due to pedestrian accessibility, vibrant, less congested downtowns and lowered automobile speeds all make cities more enjoyable places to live & work.
The consequences of a changing climate are complex, and must be addressed across multiple sectors of the economy, and multiple levels of government. Sometimes though, the solutions at the local level can be simple, low cost, and effective. Learn more about climate solutions and becoming a leader in your community by joining Path to Positive Communities.
70 Percent of U.S. Mayors Would Back Bike Lanes Over Parking Or Passing Lanes
By Michael Andersen | People for Bikes | January 26, 2016
Road space needs to come from somewhere. And with the nation's infrastructure budgets buckling under road maintenance costs, there's growing consensus that ever-wider roads are infeasible.
Instead, a large and bipartisan majority of U.S. mayors agree, cities should be taking the opposite approach: making their entire systems more space-efficient, cost-effective and economically productive by adding bike facilities in place of extra passing lanes or on-street parking spaces.
That's according to the 2015 Menino Survey of Mayors, released this week by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
The survey was of 89 mayors from "cities of all sizes and affluence."
