The benefits of widespread bicycle use are enormous, from better access to jobs and services to reduced pollution and healthcare costs. But bicycling has to hit critical amounts before its benefits are felt on a wide scale. Here’s a slide that puts it all in context:
Where US Cities line up on Bicycling Costs and Benefits
Cost-benefit evaluations have been used for a long time to determine transportation investments. By locating different cities along the line, Hans Voerknecht from European cycling organization Fietsberaad International shows us that those cities reaping the benefits in cycling have had decades of planning and developing bicycle infrastructure. This slide was part of a presentation made to the City of Oakland through the sponsorship of the German Marshall fund. No funds for a trip to Amsterdam or Copenhagen to check out the benefits of bicycle-based cities? Click here to read about the event and see the other outstanding presentations.
Now for the real question: How can we accelerate the construction of bicycle lanes and facilities throughout the Bay Area?