Why build protected bike lanes, in one happy quote
A father and son comfortably bike down a slow Arlington street. They approach the new Hayes Street cycletrack. The father asks “Want to take the special bike lane?” The son responds with an excited “Yeah!”
I overheard that interaction this past weekend, and had to stop and smile.
That one brief conversation sums up why protected bike lanes are so great: They make city streets safe, comfortable, and fun for even children to bicycle on. Not to mention older people, less-able people, and novice cyclists.
If Americans ever hope to make cycling for transportation a mainstream activity, cycling must feel comfortable for everyone. Getting bikes out of the path of speeding cars is a big part of that.
Cross-posted at BeyondDC.