Project for protected bikeways launched in the US

Top transportation officials from across the US, including Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, have headlined the launch of a new initiative to bring protected bikeways to six US cities at a national kickoff event in Chicago. The Green Lane Project (www.greenlaneproject.org), created by the national bicycling non-profit organisation Bikes Belong Foundation (www.bikesbelong.org), is working with Austin, Chicago, Memphis, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco and Washington, DC, to support each city's deve
June 4, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

Top transportation officials from across the US, including Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, have headlined the launch of a new initiative to bring protected bikeways to six US cities at a national kickoff event in Chicago. The Green Lane Project (%$Linker: External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.greenlaneproject.org Green Lane false http://www.greenlaneproject.org/ false false%>), created by the national bicycling non-profit organisation Bikes Belong Foundation (%$Linker: External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.bikesbelong.org Bikes false http://www.bikesbelong.org/ false false%>), is working with Austin, Chicago, Memphis, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco and Washington, DC, to support each city's development of world-class bicycling networks over the next two years. Mendez and Bikes Belong introduced the programme and announced initial plans at the event.

"We are seeing an explosion of interest in making bicycling stress-free on busy city streets," said Martha Roskowski, Green Lane Project director for Bikes Belong. "The selected cities have ambitious goals and a vision for bicycling supported by their elected officials and communities. They are poised to get projects on the ground quickly and will serve as excellent examples for other interested cities."

Green lanes are dedicated, inviting spaces for people on bikes in the roadway, protected by curbs, planters, posts or parked cars. The goal of the Green Lane Project is to support the selected cities in their efforts to develop and install these kinds of facilities. Recent studies have demonstrated their benefits nationwide. In Washington, DC, bicycle volume tripled after protected bikeways were installed. In Portland, Oregon, more than 70 per cent of survey respondents said bicycling is easier and safer with these dedicated lanes, while motorists said the facilities did not make driving any slower or less convenient.

"Green lanes benefit everyone who uses city streets, not just people on bicycles," continued Roskowski. "With these facilities, people in cars and on foot know where to expect bicycles. More people on bikes eases congestion. When people ride bikes, they are healthier, and they save money."

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