An impending lift of the ban on women cyclists could generate investment in much-needed biking infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has little to no biking infrastructure. Also lacking public transportation options, its cities are heavily dependent on transport by car. The only people seen biking are migrant workers and children in parks, surmises Sana Venjara based on interviews with Westerners living in the country.
But a new unlikely demographic is about to join the biking ranks: Saudi Arabia will be allowing women -- who cannot drive -- to bike for recreational purposes as long as they wear an abaya to cover their bodies completely and have male accompaniment.
Venjara thinks this move signals an intent to expand biking infrastructure, currently limited to places like the Wadi Hanifah, a wetlands park in the middle of Riyadh that was cleaned up and restored over the last decade and received the 2010 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
FULL STORY: Ending ban on women cyclists can lead to a more bike-friendly Saudi Arabia
How Social Infrastructure Gets More People on Bikes
Bike infrastructure isn’t just about bike lanes: safe, supportive spaces where adults can learn to ride and repair bikes are a key component.
COP28: Will Developed Nations Reduce Emissions?
Tensions between developed and developing nations surfaced over emissions and energy, with the former focused on reducing fossil fuels and the latter pointing to unrealized emissions reductions from the nations most responsible for global warming.
Use or Misuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?
Rising gasoline prices prompted President Biden to announce on October 19 that he was authorizing the release of 15 million barrels of crude oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie