Top 20 Bike Cities Span Four Continents, But Not U.S.A

[marmar]

Top 20 Bike Cities Span Four Continents, But Not U.S.A
Tuesday, May 07, 2013 - 04:00 AM


Montreal is the only North American metropolis to crack the top 20 list for best cities for cyclists. The Danish design consultancy Copenhagenize scored 150 cities along 13 categories of bike-friendliness and the results are clear: American cities are not that bike friendly.

Amsterdam took home the top honor with a score of 83 out of a possible 100 points.

The city continues to do well in nearly every category. Amsterdam does almost everything right. What the city lacks in a uniform infrastructure design it more than makes up for with it's impressive saturation of bicycle traffic in the compact city centre. Municipal and national political will contributes to their score, as does having all the required necessities like infrastructure and facilities. The widespread 30 km/h zones are instrumental in slowing the city and keeping people safe.

The rankings factor in a range of measures from the political climate toward bikes, to bike infrastructure in place, percentage of people who bike compared to drive and even the gender balance of the cycling population. All in all it's a litany of indicators that cycling supporters generally want in their cities: like more bike lanes and more safety.



Some of this is admittedly subjective, like the measure of "social acceptance." And some similar measures are left out: for instance if gender balance is measured, why not racial balance, or income balance? Overall, it's an admirable mix of measurements in a wide list of cities. .........................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/transportation-nation/2013/may/07/top-20-bike-cities-span-four-continents-skip-us/

[roody]

1. I rode a bicycle around Munich.

It was delightful and safe.

[patrice]

2. I rode a bicycle in the Loire River Valley; it was one of the most beautiful experiences

I've ever had with my daughter.

Clean windey country asphalt roads through small stone villages and fields of sunflowers and vineyards and orchards in the hills along the Loire river valley. We visited a French chalet called Chambord and the French are just like you and me, though there are more who are bi-lingual, at minimum. We had a room above a shop near the country train station. The weather was blue skies with puffy little clouds and lots of sun.

I mention this experience in detail, BECAUSE that's what BICYCLES can do.

[kestrel91316]

3. I am headed to work today on my bike. In Los Angeles.

It can be a hair-raising experience, but I bike on the sidewalk to stay safe.

And yes, you fascist nanny types, it IS legal for me to do so as long as I don't run any pedestrians down.

[Eleanors38]

4. Using a "bike lane" on a major Austin thoroughfare reminds me of an old shooting gallery...

...only the cyclist is the duck. In fact, when I see a bike lane it cues me to shift to the walkway.

[kestrel91316]

5. Bike lanes are as rare as hen's teeth here. We DO have plenty of "bike paths" in areas of no value

to commuters, though.

They have a new public info campaign with ads on buses and billboards now, advising drivers that "every lane is a bike lane" and to allow cyclists plenty of space. Great idea. Doubt it will make a difference, though.

[Eleanors38]

6. The way to change:

Dedicated bike thoroughfares set up like "freeways" where bicycles are the only vehicles. And conversion of some existing auto roadways into alternative transportation corridors. Duffers like me who would never be in the spandex ballet will only use roads & routes which bar motorized traffic.