Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

Wooing the Hesitant Cyclist

false

There's an old debate in the bicycling community. Do bike lanes marginalize cyclists and de-legitimize them as road users, as the vehicular cycling camp claims? Or, as advocates of separate bike infrastructure argue, are they essential for mainstreaming cycling as transportation?

As more places install dedicated bike infrastructure and see big increases in cycling, the question in many cities is largely settled. Network blog Wash Cycle examines survey data from the Portland Bureau of Transportation (and links to one of our favorite graphics), to explain why bike lanes, and, better yet, cycletracks, are the surest way to bring about dramatic increases in bicycling.

For those who bike everywhere now, biking in the street is probably no big deal. But most of those cyclists probably fall within the two categories of "Strong and Fearless" or "Enthused and confident." Together they make up 8% of the population. In the U.S., 8% is pretty good, but if we really want to break through, we need to find a way to get the 60% who are "Interested but Concerned" to ride a bike.

The "Enthused and Confident" group responds to bike lanes and other low level infrastructure and we need to continue pursuing these facilities. But the "Interested but Concerned" group is unwilling to bike on a busy street mixed with traffic. Maybe you think they're irrational and that biking in traffic is totally safe - or safer when you add in the health benefits. Maybe you're right. It doesn't really matter. We can either try to convince people that they're being irrationally fearful or make a roadscape that helps them leave their fears behind.

Bike lanes appeal to the "enthused and confident" and cycletracks appeal to the "interested but concerned." The DC region will need to add lots of both to get more people to ride.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Baltimore Spokes reports that Maryland got the lowest possible rating for spending on non-motorized transportation in the recent report on state policies from Smart Growth America and NRDC. WalkBike Jersey ranks the Garden State's top cities for biking, walking and taking transit to work. And Commute by Bike looks at data about cyclist behavior gathered from Lyon, France's Velo'v bike share system.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Are We All Living in a ‘Carspiracy’?

How does "car-brain" shape the way we think about the world — even in relatively bike-friendly countries like the U.K.?

July 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike

Bikeshares, and e-bikes and scooters generally, are becoming more popular. That's led to more injuries, highlighting the need for better infrastructure.

July 26, 2024

What the Heck is Going on With the California E-Bike Incentive Program?

The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague.

July 26, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?

Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.

July 25, 2024

The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes

A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.

July 25, 2024
See all posts