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

Number of Protected Bike Lanes in America Nearly Doubled in 2012

They're the Cadillac (or, should we say, the Colnago) of bike infrastructure: protected bike lanes.

But on-street bikeways that give cyclists some measure of physical protection from traffic have been more or less unheard of in American cities -- until recently. After New York City implemented a protected bike lane on Ninth Avenue in 2007, the treatment began to spread. Now, through their Green Lane Project, Bikes Belong is on a mission to make this type of bike lane an unremarkable sight in the United States. And cities are making real progress on that front.

The Green Lane Project blog reports today that the number of "green lanes" in American cities has almost doubled over the last year:

Although these protected on-street bike facilities have long been a staple in Europe, they’ve only recently gained traction in the U.S. Between 1874 and 2011, only 62 were built nationwide. The new inventory shows that this number will nearly double to 102 protected green lanes on the ground in 32 U.S. cities by the end of 2012. Building on this momentum, the U.S. is projected to add another 100 green lanes in 2013.

For many riders, the stripe of paint is not enough to make riding a bike for every day travel an attractive and comfortable option.

Sixty percent of Americans say they would bike more often if they had a safe place, like a green lane, to ride. This point was validated by a recent study in Washington D.C. that revealed bicycling increased 200% on Pennsylvania Avenue after green lanes were installed.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Bike Portland reports that the Oregon Department of Transportation recently added a buffered bike lane on a rural highway. Greater Greater Washington provides on update on DC's revisions to its parking policies, which would eliminate mandatory parking minimums in many parts of the city altogether. And Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space says Grover "No Tax" Norquist and his acolytes are trying to prevent Virginia from raising its gas tax.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Let’s Go Biking in Berlin

Streetsblog takes you on a six-minute vacation to one of Europe's great cycling cities.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Take the Long Cut

Republicans couldn't repeal higher fuel efficiency standards, so instead they made it painless for automakers to ignore them.

July 18, 2025

Can the D.C. Region Substitute Rail With Buses?

Instead of splashy new rail projects, the D.C. region wants to refocus around the bus. But will it work?

July 18, 2025

Trump and Duffy Continue Assault on California and the Environment, Officially Cancel Federal Funding for High-Speed Rail

“Canceling these grants without cause isn’t just wrong — it’s illegal,” said CAHSRA CEO Ian Choudri.

July 17, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Reclaiming the Road

Ohio elected official and geographer David Prytherch on his new book, Reclaiming the Road: Mobility Justice Beyond Complete Streets.

July 17, 2025

A Few Lowlights from Secretary Duffy’s First Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Hearing

Featuring: shouting matches, word-salad answers, blatant misinformation, and more.

July 17, 2025
See all posts