Boston has not had a good relationship with cyclists. However, Mayor Thomas M. Menino is a cycling advocate, a city bike czar is on staff, bike lanes and facilities have been added, and a turn-around is evident even to its critics.
Boston was tagged "one of the nation's 'Worst Biking Cities' three times from 1999 to 2006". It's trying to change that image. Four miles of bike lanes have been added; five to ten are due to be added by years end, and laws have been added to make cycling safer as the city tries to compete with its bike-friendly neighbor, Cambridge.
"The grand plan is to change the culture, which is an incredible task," said Nicole Freedman, a former Olympic cyclist who was hired as the city's "bike czar" in 2007."
"Even Bicycling Magazine is cutting Boston some slack, putting it on last year's "Five for the Future" list."
However, it may not be moving fast enough.
"David Watson, executive director of MassBike, an advocacy organization, said change in Boston, particularly in the number of miles of bike lanes put in each year, is slow compared with improvements in other cities."
Thanks to Benjamin Boshnack
FULL STORY: Boston Tries to Shed Longtime Reputation as Cyclists’ Minefield
The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall
The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.
Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities
The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.
Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly
The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.
Video: Making Transit Better
How trackless trams and other innovations can make U.S. transit more efficient.
LA-to-San Francisco Night Train Closer to Reality
A train operator has entered into formal negotiations with Union Pacific to move the project forward with a projected launch date of 2025.
Lawsuit Aims to Stop Dodger Stadium Gondola
A proposed aerial tram project that would shuttle visitors to L.A.’s Dodger Stadium faces backlash from environmental and community groups.
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
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
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.