Bike advocates are concerned that after a "banner year" for bike infrastructure in the nation’s capital, the momentum for bike infrastructure is waning rather than building. How much do these kinds of missed opportunities cost?
"After a banner in year that saw the District add nine miles of bike lanes, 2015 is unfolding on a down note for bicycle commuters," reports Martin Di Caro. "There are no plans to open a major cycle track in the city this year, and while the District Department of Transportation intends to close some gaps in the existing network of protected or buffered lanes, safety advocates argue failing to grow the network will miss an opportunity to exploit the popularity of bicycling in Washington."
The article makes two arguments to support the case for bike infrastructure, one citing the recent study by People for Bikes that found infrastructure to be one of the key impediments to more people adopting bikes and another by explaining the economic benefits of bike infrastructure.
The article also details Washington D.C.'s plans for new bike infrastructure in 2015—although the city will add seven miles of new bike lanes, none of them include the protected variety. "As part of its MoveDC proposal, DDOT is planning to build a large network of cycle tracks all over Washington, but at the current pace it would take years, even decades, to finish," according to Di Caro.
FULL STORY: Cycling Advocates Fear D.C. Is Hitting Brakes On Building Infrastructure
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