For decades, many cities designed streets primarily around automobiles. Recently, however, some communities have begun converting traffic lanes into protected bicycle lanes separated from cars by barriers or curbs.

Supporters argue that protected lanes make cycling safer and encourage more people to travel by bicycle. In several cities, bicycle use increased after networks of protected lanes were constructed. Supporters also point out that bicycles take up less road space than cars and produce no exhaust while being ridden.

Critics note that converting an existing traffic lane can reduce the space available for cars and may worsen congestion on some streets. Building protected lanes also costs more than simply painting bicycle symbols along the edge of a roadway.

These concerns deserve consideration. However, transportation planning should account for more than the speed at which cars move through a city. When designed carefully, protected bicycle networks can give residents another practical way to travel while making city streets accessible to a wider range of users.

For decades, many cities designed streets primarily around automobiles. Recently, however, some communities have begun converting traffic lanes into protected bicycle lanes separated from cars by barriers or curbs.

Supporters argue that protected lanes make cycling safer and encourage more people to travel by bicycle. In several cities, bicycle use increased after networks of protected lanes were constructed. Supporters also point out that bicycles take up less road space than cars and produce no exhaust while being ridden.

Critics note that converting an existing traffic lane can reduce the space available for cars and may worsen congestion on some streets. Building protected lanes also costs more than simply painting bicycle symbols along the edge of a roadway.

These concerns deserve consideration. However, transportation planning should account for more than the speed at which cars move through a city. When designed carefully, protected bicycle networks can give residents another practical way to travel while making city streets accessible to a wider range of users.

For decades, many cities designed streets primarily around automobiles. Recently, however, some communities have begun converting traffic lanes into protected bicycle lanes separated from cars by barriers or curbs.

Supporters argue that protected lanes make cycling safer and encourage more people to travel by bicycle. In several cities, bicycle use increased after networks of protected lanes were constructed. Supporters also point out that bicycles take up less road space than cars and produce no exhaust while being ridden.

Critics note that converting an existing traffic lane can reduce the space available for cars and may worsen congestion on some streets. Building protected lanes also costs more than simply painting bicycle symbols along the edge of a roadway.

These concerns deserve consideration. However, transportation planning should account for more than the speed at which cars move through a city. When designed carefully, protected bicycle networks can give residents another practical way to travel while making city streets accessible to a wider range of users.

For decades, many cities designed streets primarily around automobiles. Recently, however, some communities have begun converting traffic lanes into protected bicycle lanes separated from cars by barriers or curbs.

Supporters argue that protected lanes make cycling safer and encourage more people to travel by bicycle. In several cities, bicycle use increased after networks of protected lanes were constructed. Supporters also point out that bicycles take up less road space than cars and produce no exhaust while being ridden.

Critics note that converting an existing traffic lane can reduce the space available for cars and may worsen congestion on some streets. Building protected lanes also costs more than simply painting bicycle symbols along the edge of a roadway.

These concerns deserve consideration. However, transportation planning should account for more than the speed at which cars move through a city. When designed carefully, protected bicycle networks can give residents another practical way to travel while making city streets accessible to a wider range of users.