Of the 7.3 billion people living on the planet, one in every 12 owns a bike. Despite appearances, however, that number has not increased much in recent years.
Ari Phillips reports on a new study in the Journal of Transport & Health that finds "global bicycle ownership has significantly fallen in the past three decades."
"Published in the Journal of Transport & Health, researchers from Johns Hopkins University analyzed data from 1.25 billion households in what they consider to be the the [sic] first global study of bicycle ownership over time. They found that the number of bike owners, while increasing or holding steady in some countries, has plummeted in others," explains Phillips.
Phillips spoke with the lead author of the story, Olufolajimi Oke, who hopes that the finds of the study will help policymakers find ways to get more traction for cycling. In a surprising finding couched in the otherwise distressing news for biking advocates, the United States has actually led the recent resurgence in the popularity of bikes in the past five years. Still, the percentage of Americans riding a bike for their commute hasn't changed much in the past decade.
The article includes more geographic detail about the findings of the study as well as some speculation on what the data means for the societies driving the numbers.
FULL STORY: Since the start of the millennial generation, bicycle ownership has screeched to a halt
Study: More Bike Infrastructure Could Prevent 15,000 Deaths Annually
In addition to reducing air pollution and congestion, improving bike infrastructure could save thousands of lives each year, according to new research.
Supporting Cycling Takes More Than Just Bike Lanes
Safe, protected bike lanes are a key part of a city’s bike infrastructure — but secure parking, e-bike charging, and other amenities can also influence people’s shift to cycling.
The Rippling Effects of Bike-to-Work Subsidies
A European movement to incentivize people to commute by bicycle is changing travel patterns and making mobility more sustainable.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.
Can We Please Give Communities the Design They Deserve?
Often an afterthought, graphic design impacts everything from how we navigate a city to how we feel about it. One designer argues: the people deserve better.
Southern Californians Survey Trees for Destructive Oak Pest
Hundreds of volunteers across five counties participated in the first Goldspotted Oak Borer Blitz, surveying oak trees for signs of the invasive beetle and contributing valuable data to help protect Southern California’s native woodlands.
Opinion: How Geothermal HVAC Lowers Costs, Improves Grid Resilience
Geothermal heating and cooling systems can reduce energy costs and dramatically improve efficiency.
Tenant Screening: A Billion-Dollar Industry with Little Oversight. What’s Being Done to Protect Renters?
Reports show that the data tenant screening companies use is often riddled with errors and relies on information that has no bearing on whether someone will be a good tenant.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)