How to Plan Good Cities for Bicycling
B' Spokes: I liked this article but it seemed to overly stress Copenhagenizing cities. Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with that as a end result but how do we get from no bicycle accommodations to being Copenhagen, what are the steps? As an example lets switch to an easier to understand accommodating the personal automobile when no accommodation for them exists, let's say there are dirt "roads everywhere and that's it. So what's the first thing that should be stressed, one really expensive regional multi-lane expressway (and keep all local roads dirt) or just paving some dirt roads to create a regional network of roads so people can get around without using that many dirt roads?
So what I am trying to point out is the State's over stress on trails (like only building a regional expressway with no viable way to get around off that expressway) and what Nate is doing in Baltimore City with wayfaring signs (so cyclists can get around without using car centric roads.) For many this is not as cool as trails or cycletracks but in my opinion this is exactly the correct first steps we need to grow into accommodating more cyclists. Now if we can only get the State to start thinking that way and start working closer with the counties to make a viable cycling network.
Main points in the article:
A Whole Hearted Bicycle Policy
Bicycles as Part of Integrated Transport Thinking
A Comfortable Network
Bicycle Cities and City Bicycles (bike rental/sharing)
On the Way to a New Bicycle Culture (bicycling is just a way to get around vs just for a small group of death-defying bicycle enthusiasts)
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