A new study conducted by the City of New York shows that after years of phenomenal growth, commuter cycling remained flat in 2012 during the typical riding season, reports Matt Flegenheimer. However, ridership during the colder months did increase.
"From April through October, an average of 18,717 people were recorded, at the locations on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., down slightly from 18,846 in 2011," says Flegenheimer. "Over the three previous years, cycling had increased by 26 percent, 13 percent and 8 percent in the same period."
Not all of the ridership figures were stagnant, however. The city's Transportation Department also noted that from December 2012 through February 2013, ridership was up 23 percent over the previous year.
"But even among some advocates, the stalled momentum during the traditional riding season appeared to signal a change," notes Flegenheimer.
“The fabulous increase in cycling in the past half-dozen years has leveled off,” said Charles Komanoff, a transportation economist and longtime cycling advocate. “To some extent, the D.O.T. has done or is doing everything it can do.”
"Expanding cycling, he said, was now largely incumbent on the Police Department, which has faced persistent criticism from advocates over its inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws."
FULL STORY: Commuter Cycling Stays Flat in ’12

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.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie