In Seattle, securing every new bike lane seems like a "tooth and nail" fight. But across a border to the north, vigorous initial opposition melted away as a connected system took shape.

"In Seattle," David Gutman writes, "every bike lane, whether it's just a painted white line or a fully separated, landscaped bikeway, seems to be fought tooth and nail, in a never-ending battle over precious street space." But in Vancouver, the battle's over. Bike lanes have emerged triumphant.
Weaving together a connected system, rather than simply installing isolated bike-friendly stretches, has been integral to increased use. "As recently as nine years ago, not a single protected bike lane existed in downtown Vancouver. Now, you can stand downtown at the corner of Hornby and Dunsmuir streets, in the heart of the city's financial district, and bike for miles in almost any direction, physically separated from car traffic."
Two decades ago, motorists and businesses ridiculed Vancouver's halting first attempts. But over time, a "sea change" in public opinion took place as advocates and the city kept pushing bike lanes and studying their effects. Gutman notes that Vancouver cyclists don't have to contend with Seattle's hills. "But with similar weather and a similar culture, the city is pushing forward — haltingly — hoping it can build a network of connected bike lanes as successful as Vancouver's."
FULL STORY: As Seattle struggles with bike lanes, Vancouver, B.C., has won the battle

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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