Bike Lane Headlines: What’s New in Urban Cycling This Week

Here, in our new column, we feature a curated list of bike lane news from across North America every week.

In North America, creating safe cycling infrastructure continues to be a struggle in most places despite the incredible benefits that come with a complete network. South of the border, the attack on the very idea of protecting bike commuters has become a culture war where people pedaling a simple two-wheeled machine are part of a woke agenda. It is ridiculous and disturbing to say the least.

The wonderful thing about bicycles is that pretty much everyone can enjoy the wonderful benefits across all ideological lines. We all want to be health, save money and time, and be happy, there is nothing political about it. One day, we will figure it out and look back cringing at the wilful blindness. Apparently that day is not today.

Toronto bike lane protest

Here are the headlines:

• We did get some good news recently, in a report from People For Bikes that showed more Americans are cycling than ever before. The latest U.S. Bicycling Participation Study from PeopleForBikes reveals that in 2024, 112 million Americans—35% of people aged three and older—rode a bike at least once.  Of course, that means a surprising two-thirds have not had the pleasure. But, baby steps, we guess, right?
• And, college basketball’s March Madness tournaments are underway. Chicago advocacy group Bike Lane Uprising, decided to have a little fun with it and make a March Madness tournament bracket for cities, and judge them based on the number of bike lane blocking reports sent through its mobile app.
• In Toronto, the fight over the removal of three key safe and separated bike lanes continued with a big protest earlier this week that saw the Toronto Star report that two people were arrested for crashing the company being paid to remove the bike lanes, Stantec.
• In Philadelphia, Philly Bike Action is pushing for separation barriers on a very dangerous strip of roadway, and, not surprisingly, are encountering pushback from local residents who seem to want to be free to park in the existing bike lane whenever they want.
• The Urbanist showed off a gorgeous 1.2-mile slice of waterfront bike lane in Seattle, and it is stunning. Something we need more of, in that city, and everywhere.
• Of course, the big news reported by our friends at Streetsblog that many grassroots groups are feeling is the decision by U.S. Dot to review all grants related to green infrastructure including bike lane projects.
• But, we will leave you with some good news. Here is an interview from the Dutch Cycling Embassy showing how they are helping to transform Austin, Texas into a bike-friendly utopia.
• And, get this, in San Francisco a coalition of resident and business groups, yes business, have formed to advocate for separated bike lanes on Illinois Street. Read TheFrisc for the full report.

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