Bike Walk Life Archive - page 6

A non-bicycle publication has a new article about the merits of bicycling: John Miller, writing for America, argues that bicycles may be the solution to our many modern problems. keep reading →

Marginalized communities always have a couple of things in common, unsafe streets and oversized law enforcement. These aren’t together by coincidence; unsafe street design necessitates extra policing. Recently, the US House transportation committee had a hearing on this topic. keep reading →

Another just-for-fun bicycle challenge is coming up: Three Speed April, hosted by Society of Three Speeds. keep reading →

Three modes of bicycle commuting

We all recognize the main bicycle categories, such as mountain biking, BMX, touring, and commuting to name a few. But when we zoom-in to commuting, then the landscape seems less neatly categorized. Even though commuters may collectively use diverse styles of bicycles and equipment, they all seem to do basically the same thing with them. Despite this, I’d argue that commuting works in three basic modes. These modes aren’t based on what kind of gear you use, but in your mindset and behavior. keep reading →

The New York Times published an opinion article by Farhad Manjoo, There’s One Big Problem With Electric Cars, and He cuts right to the chase on the first line: “They’re still cars. Technology can’t cure America of its addiction to the automobile.” keep reading →

Recent studies show that women drivers are more likely than men to die in car crashes. The reason behind it is straightforward: trucks and SUVs are significantly more deadly than smaller cars, and men are more likely to drive those larger vehicles. This also reveals how our vehicles, and our streets themselves, are deadly-by-design. keep reading →

Bike lanes, Lego, and the struggle for a new bicycle culture

The campaign for mobility equity has found an unlikely battlefield in recent years: the Lego world. Since 2019, a person named Marcel Steeman has been pushing for the inclusion of bicycle lanes in its toy cities. At last, the company is beginning to relent, but this episode raises an interesting question: do we need to focus more on pushing for bicycle “culture?” keep reading →

We all know that living near a busy arterial road is generally less pleasant than living near a verdant park. Most of us would prefer to stay away from the noise and the ugly asphalt. But according to a study in Environmental Health journal, there’s another reason to avoid roads. The air pollution can be linked to dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. keep reading →

The term pedestrian is awkward and has too many negative connotations, so I wonder if it’s due for a replacement. keep reading →

A wild demand trail appears

Despite all of the reverence given to free market ideology, our transportation has never fit in with it. People continuously wish for alternative transportation options, yet we remain dependent on our technocratic overlords and their car-centric master-plan. Nonetheless, there are occasional times when individuals empower themselves to take mobility into their own hands. The laws of supply and demand relent, and a “demand trail” appears. keep reading →

Last month, VeloNews published an article by Aliya Barnwell: There are already many Black cyclists — we just overlook them. She argues that the lack of diversity in the cycling community is really a problem with companies, teams, and other cycling organizations. When we look at bicycle riders outside of those cliques and institutions, we see a much more diverse group of people. Below is an excerpt. keep reading →

Even if you haven’t heard of the “right hook,” you probably know what it is if you’ve ridden a bicycle in car traffic. When a car makes a right turn in front of you, it can cause a scary situation where you’re in danger of a crash. The blog Bike to Everything] has an excellent guide on how to avoid it. keep reading →

There has been a lot of optimism over how how rideshare companies could help save our congested streets. The very name, ride share, suggests that they create more communal, fair, and efficient relationships with car travel. But that hasn’t been the case. In fact, traffic and fuel efficiency has gotten worse according to a new study. keep reading →

Choice, freedom, cars, and the path to biking and walking

To drive a car is to be free, at least so-says our culture. I don’t need a citation for that. You can see it for yourself in every car commercial or by querying any member of the public. But it’s also an illusion. keep reading →

When the pandemic stopped cars around the world, there was a lot of buzz about cities repurposing their empty streets. From California to Florida to France, you could see streets transformed into car-free parks or dining areas. It seemed like a silver lining to a terrible year. But the rest of the story wasn’t so simple. keep reading →

Many people have speculated on the long-term effects that companies like Uber and Lyft have on cities. A new paper aims to provide some scientific insights. Its data shows, among other things, that car ownership increases slightly when a ridesharing company enters a market. keep reading →

BYCS interviews Areli Carreón, an activist & the bicycle mayor of Mexico City

Areli Carreón is a co-founder of Bicitekas, a bicycle nonprofit based in Mexico City. She is also a member of the BYCS Bicycle Mayor program. BYCS recently interviewed her and discussed Mexico City’s history, the work that Bicitekas does, and Mexico’s recent “right to mobility” amendment, which she helped push. keep reading →

Urban Cycling Institute (@fietsprofessor) holds a 2020 mobility meme contest

The Urban Cycling Institute recently held an election for 2020’s best mobility memes on their Twitter page. There are quite a lot, and I think they’re all good. Here, I’ve included a few of the highlights. keep reading →

The 2020 pandemic emptied many of America’s streets while people stayed home. Paradoxically, that caused a sharp spike in traffic deaths. This unexpected phenomenon has started new conversations about how and why our roads are so dangerous. keep reading →

Looking back at my 2020 Coffeeneuring Challenge

The 2020 Coffeeneuring Challenge was subtitled “One Good Thing” in recognition that it could be at least one silver lining in a wild year. This annual challenge has always been fun for me, and thankfully the 2020 version was no different. keep reading →

Regular Bike Walk Life readers know that I'm no fan of "jaywalking." I even choose to write it in scare-quotes because the word itself carries derogatory connotations. Fortunately, though, one state is working to decriminalize it. Wyatt Gordon reports for Virginia Mercury that a police-reform bill includes a provision that decriminalizes pedestrians crossing the street. keep reading →

There is a great blog post by Todd Litman on Planetizen about why car dependency is a major factor in fueling poverty. keep reading →

On January 17, local riders in Brunswick, GA will host a ride for people to view their town’s murals. Terry Dickson reports for The Brunswick News. keep reading →

“Sharrows” are those painted arrows with bicycle symbols we see on some streets. Many bicyclists dislike sharrows and ignore them. Most drivers have no idea what sharrows are and ignore them. Why are they so misunderstood? And what are they really for? keep reading →