"Cycle Tracks" for Safety in Cities

Public health researcher Anne Lusk argues that installing bike routes separate from motor vehicles will boost cycling and make compact communities work better.

1 minute read

May 3, 2011, 11:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Dr. Anne Lusk, a research associate at Harvard University's School of Public Health, argues that from a health-perspective, biking is more effective than walking. And the way to encourage biking, she says, is to make it safer:

"One of the reasons biking is so much safer in the Netherlands and Denmark is that the principal bicycle facilities in those two countries are cycle tracks - bike paths physically separated from motor vehicle traffic. Cycle tracks run parallel to the sidewalk, and are exclusively for bike riding. The 18,000 miles of cycle tracks in the Netherlands help to explain why 27 percent of Dutch trips are made on bicycles."

Thanks to Robert Steuteville

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 in New Urban Network

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Front of White House with stormy sky above.

How the Trump Presidency Could Impact Urban Planning

An analysis of potential changes in federal housing, transportation, and climate policies.

January 19, 2025 - Planetizen

String lights across an alley in Cranford, New Jersey at night.

Midburbs: A New Definition of Suburbs

When the name “suburb” just doesn't quite fit.

January 17, 2025 - Gabe Bailer - PP - AICP - NJ Urbanthinker

Black bollards lining a curved sidewalk next to a cobblestone street.

Why Aren’t There More Bollards in US Cities?

Solid barriers, like the dormant ones in New Orleans, are commonly used to improve road safety in Europe. Why not here?

January 17, 2025 - MinnPost

Aerial view of Menlo Park in Silicon Valley, California.

Menlo Park to Develop Parking Lots Into Housing

The city will issue a request for proposals to build subsidized housing on up to three downtown parking lots.

7 hours ago - Palo Alto Daily Post

Aerial view of Macarthur Park lake with downtown Los Angeles skyline in background.

What Has Measure ULA Achieved?

Los Angeles has imposed an additional tax on luxury home sales to generate millions for housing efforts in the city. Shelterforce checks in on where the money has gone, and what’s to come.

January 23 - Shelterforce Magazine

Close-up of green "Ultra low emission zone" ULEZ sign in London, UK.

London Congestion Pricing Zone Has No Impact on Local Spending

The city’s cordon pricing scheme did not affect how much people spent at local businesses, new research finds.

January 23 - Centre for Cities

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.