Our top urban cycling news stories of 2023

It’s been an interesting year in the urban cycling news realm with plenty of advances in cities around the world, and, no shortage of those wishing there wasn’t. But, we press onward and continue to call for increased safe cycling infrastructure and cities making the decision to put people ahead of automobiles.

Here is a look at the top cycling news stories of the year.

Sharrows used to make sense in theory, but are now useless and possibly dangerous in practice

Are you tired of feeling like you’re playing a real-life version of Mario Kart while biking through your city? Do you long for a safe, stress-free ride where you can pedal along without fear of getting flattened by a speeding car? Well, my fellow cyclists, I’ve got some good news and bad news for you. That was the introduction to our article questioning the continued use of road sharrows, which got quite the reaction on both sides of the fence.

Read the full article here. 

UK company specializes in going out and recovering stolen e-bikes from thieves

Bicycle theft continues to be a vile plague in most large cities worldwide. In the United States, 1.7 million bikes are stolen every year. Most bikes are never found, and many are shipped away as quickly as they are swiped. But there might be hope on the horizon in an ambitious company called BackPedal. And our readers wanted to read all about it.

Check out the full BackPedal story here.

Albuquerque is getting a world-classs new piece of bicycle infrastructure

When contemplating the best and most stunning bicycle infrastructure in the world, European countries such as The Netherlands dominate the narrative, but that might be changing. For instance, Albuquerque, New Mexico is set to go ahead with a stunning rail trail designed by world-renowned architect Antoine Predock. We were surprised by the reaction to this story, but it was amazing to see how invested the New Mexico cycling community is in expanding safe bicycle infrastructure.

Let’s hope the city follows through! Read the story here.

NYC cyclist skilfully defends bike lane and backs down car

Although New York City has one of the better networks of bike infrastructure in America, it apparently also has some of the most entitled drivers. Not a week goes by when another video on social media surfaces of drivers using separated bike lanes to try to get ahead of yet another traffic jam. And each time these people, seemingly, get away with it, only encouraging others. But this week was different. Recently, videos surfaced showing a brave and, most likely, frustrated bicyclist not only standing in front of but also  backing down cars trying to do the same. Yes, we cheered.

We love a feel-good cycling news story, and this one has Hallmark movie written all over it. Get the scoop here.

French village’s squiggle road design to slow speeding vehicles goes viral

In a bid to combat speeding and ensure safety, the picturesque French village of Baune, near the city of Angers, has resorted to the unconventional method of what can best be described as a squiggle road. Frustrated by the inability of traditional traffic signs to slow down drivers in their 30km/h (19mph) zone, local officials decided to paint peculiar squiggly lines on the road surface.

Incredible what people and cities have to do to slow down cars. It’s a lot, but this one (pictured at top) was certainly one of the more unique options. Check it out here.

Here’s to keeping up the great bicycle advocacy and innovations in 2024. And please, send us your community advocacy news and we will amplify it here.