The Top Protected Bike Lanes of 2013

"As the thermoplastic dries on this year's round of terrific protected bike lane projects, we decided to scour the country for a comprehensive (and subjective) ranking of the best of the best," writes Michael Andersen of the Green Lane Project. "We talked to experts and advocates around the country, looked at technical photos and schemes and read the news reports to understand not just how these bike lanes were designed, but why."

While it's surely an improvement over what existed before, the booby prize may have to go to what may be L.A.'s first protected bike lane, which was just installed in downtown's Second Street Tunnel.