The bike boom that began during the pandemic shows no signs of abating, according to a new report.
Despite doubts that the cycling boom of the early pandemic would continue, writes Jason Plautz, a report from Streetlight Data shows that cycling rates remain high across the country, rising 10 percent in 2021 over 2020.
Experts caution that high ridership rates will stick around only if cities support robust bike infrastructure and other policies that encourage biking over driving, particularly in dense neighborhoods where people take frequent short trips.
There was no single story across the country, [vice president of marketing for StreetLight Data Martin] Morzynski said, but there was a clear correlation between infrastructures like protected bike lanes or open streets and bike traffic. For example, he said, Des Moines, Iowa, saw its bike traffic increase 49% in 2020 and it is still up 30% in 2021 compared to 2019, even as people resume commuting. That, he said, is in part because of the city's existing network of trails leading into downtown that make it easier for new riders to commute.
Meanwhile, cities with "more established bike culture" often saw a drop in ridership due to some regular bike commuters staying home. Even so, many big cities took the opportunity to install new bike infrastructure during the pandemic lull, paving the way for safer streets and more transportation options. Morzynski suggests "a comprehensive approach that allows you to identify where best to invest and make priorities sets you up to be responsive for changes when traffic patterns shift again."
FULL STORY: Cycling surge here to stay in many cities, report suggests
The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall
The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.
The Paradox of American Housing
How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.
Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities
The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.
Undoing Biden's EV Rule
The partisan divide over how government should reduce greenhouse gas emissions was on full display after the Biden administration finalized its emissions standards rule for light and medium duty vehicles on March 20.
Boston Moves Zoning Reform Forward
The ‘Squares + Streets’ plan creates form-based zoning templates for neighborhoods that promote mixed use and denser housing near transit.
Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan
Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.
City of Yakima
City of Auburn
Baylands Development Inc.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Town of Zionsville
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.