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

Memphis Turns to Crowdsourcing for Final Chunk of Bikeway Funds

false

One of the most exciting American cities for livable streets right now is Memphis, Tennessee, whose progressive mayor, A.C. Wharton, has championed the expansion of the bike network and helped the city secure the sought-after guidance of national bike infrastructure experts with the Green Lane Project.

false

Now Memphis has one of the nation's most ambitious bikeway projects to show for it. Michael Andersen at People for Bikes reports the city is planning a high-quality, two-mile, two-way protected bike lane. And, in an interesting twist, supporters hope to wrap up the project's funding with a crowdsourced campaign:

It wasn't enough that Memphis's Hampline, a combined on- and off-street bikeway through a redeveloping arts district in the country's poorest major metro area, was pushed by a unique cast of private foundations and for-profit retailers and visualized with a spectacular one-weekend live demonstration.

As the $4.5 million project heads into the final stage of its fundraising, it's also become what seems to be the first American bike transportation project that'll be paid for in part by crowdfunding. The Hampline's supporters launched a Kickstarter-style digital fundraiser Monday for the last $77,000 of the project's cost.

They're billing it as "the most innovative bicycle infrastructure project to be built within the United States," and not without reason. Even if you don't count the extraordinary three-year saga that envisioned and advanced this concept, the two-way protected bike lanes will include planted medians, two full sets of dedicated bike signals (Broad Avenue is also two-way) and some of the most creative uses of green paint in the country.

Memphis bike lane backers have already raised more than $10,000 toward their $77,000 goal.

Elsewhere on the Network today: The Political Environment laments that people who steal cable in Wisconsin now face stiffer legal penalties than those who endanger others' lives by driving drunk. The FABB blog reports that Amtrak is testing "roll-on" bicycle service between Pittsburgh and Washington. And Cyclelicious notes that Davis, California, has decided to lessen traffic fines issued to cyclists compared to fines imposed on motorists.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Thursday’s Headlines Are Charged Up for the Fourth

The Republican megabill is bad for the electric vehicle industry, but it could be worse.

July 3, 2025

Why is the Secretary of Transportation Begging Americans to Take More Road Trips?

Instead of making America easier to see on all modes, the US Department of Transportation is encouraging U.S. residents to just get in their cars and drive.

July 3, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Are for the Children

From mothers with babies in strollers to preteens on bikes, much of the U.S. is hostile to families just trying to get around without a car.

July 2, 2025

Ambulance Data Reveals That Boston Drivers Are 4 Times More Likely to Run Over Pedestrians From Black Neighborhoods

"Overall, residents of predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods are about four times more likely than residents of predominantly white neighborhoods to be struck as a pedestrian."

July 1, 2025
See all posts