The NBA star says bikes have played an important role in his life, and he wants young people to have the same access and freedom that biking gave him.
Basketball legend LeBron James is a bike advocate, and he is partnering with Lyft on the LyftUp program, which will provide bikeshare memberships to young people in New York City, Chicago, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Eben Weiss attended the press event in New York City where James made a surprise appearance and met with a group of teens who would soon have access to the city’s Citi Bike network. He talked about the importance of biking for him growing up in Akron, Ohio, as well as the need for improved biking infrastructure, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods.
"Sure, the cynic in me registered that all of this was essentially a photo op put together by a tech company with a $14 billion market cap, but so what? Bikes need more of this. When was the last time you saw anyone even remotely exciting—let alone one of the most talented and successful athletes on the planet—stand in front of a bunch of kids and articulate the sheer sense of freedom and exhilaration that comes from riding a bike?" says Weiss.
FULL STORY: LeBron James Is the New Hero of Bike Shares
Nation's Second Bikeshare Fatality Under Investigation in Manhattan
The police report conflicts with videos showing CitiBike rider Dan Hanegby, 36, an avid cyclist on his daily commute, being hit by a charter bus on June 12. Almost a year earlier, a Divvy Bike rider was fatally struck by a truck in Chicago.
NYC on a Roll: Citi Bike Breaks Ridership Records
The Citi Bike bikeshare system in New York is achieving record new successes, despite never having received zero funding from city coffers.
Bikes Gain Popularity as People Ditch Subways and Buses
Bike counts and bike share rides are increasing in two of the country's largest cities as commuters look for transportation modes that allow for physical distancing.
Georgia's First Tiny Home Village Now Open, and Sold Out
Eight single-family houses on a half-acre of land.
Arizona's Tallest Building Will Soon Be Vacant
The tallest building in the Grand Canyon State will enter a new era.
Too Much Commercial Zoning for Affordable Housing in SoHo's Controversial Rezoning Plan?
Mayor Bill de Blasio is crossing the finish line of his time in office at the same time as one of the most controversial rezoning processes of his administration.
Alta PLanning + Design
PGAV Planners, LLC
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Valley Vision
Jefferson County
City of Greensburg
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
