Relaxing Rides in San Francisco

By Alexis Chavez

The seasons are changing in San Francisco—the air is becoming increasingly crisp, as the days are growing darker. With the inevitability of winter upon us, now is the perfect time to get outside, ride your bike and enjoy the last few days of Indian Summer. And since the upcoming holiday season can be a stressful time of year, I’ve selected some of the best rides…

Memphis: Here Comes the Neighborhood - Building and Battling Blight

By Anthony Siracusa

In an article published at Grantland earlier this week, Jonathan Abrams captured perfectly the spirit of Memphis in an interview with Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace.   

"This is an underdog town," Wallace said. "This is a town that doesn't really care about your past, doesn't care about any dustups. They want to know what you're going to do in the future. If you reach out to Memphis and you embrace Memphis, Memphis will embrace you in return."

On November 10, people from…

Chicago: Desplaines boss, Desplaines! A new green takes shape

By John Greenfield

This is an exciting moment for cycling in the Windy City as the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) races to meet its goal of building a total of thirty miles of green lanes before it gets too cold to lay thermoplastic stripes. Last weekend the department began installing new bike traffic signals for the eagerly anticipated, two-way protected lane slated for a 1.2-mile stretch of Dearborn Street between Polk and Kinzie streets, crossing the heart of the Loop central business district.

Since…

Standing up for bikes: Four ideas from a Portland strategist

By Michael Andersen

If Leslie Carlson has anything to say about it, "bike backlash" isn't so bad. It's only a problem if those of us who understand the advantages of bikes don't know how to respond.

The Portland-based communications consultant says public skepticism about bike projects around the country is simply a sign that bikes have become part of the political back-and-forth – and she's got a quiver full of interesting strategies for fighting back.

"That's what democracy is for," she says.

Carlson is…

Washington, DC welcomes newest Green Lane on L Street

By David Cranor

For the past few weeks, those who use bicycles to navigate downtown have been excitedly watching as Washington's District Department of Transportation(DDOT) installs the city's latest green lane. As highlighted in this earlier post on the L Street cycle track, DDOT "will install 1.37 miles of "cycle track," bike lane and sharrows from 11th Street, NW to Pennsylvania Ave NW crossing most of Downtown's Central Business District with a continuous and protected green lane. The cycle track will cover most of the distance, running from 12th Street NW to New Hampshire Ave."

The lane is still not…

Dutch Bike Embassy Brings Expertise to Austin

By Jen Reel

One of the many great things the Green Lane Project has done is provide funding for our city leaders to travel to Holland. Last month, members of the Dutch Cycling Embassy traveled to Austin to assess our streets and help envision how to make biking an integral part of Austin culture. Check out this great video by the Dutch Cycling Embassy:

Cycling For Everyone from Dutch Cycling Embassy on Vimeo.

Dubbed the Think Bike workshop, the Dutch Bike Embassy, Austin city staff, private…

Memphis in the Netherlands: “Blown Away”

By Anthony Siracusa


Even Kyle Wagenschutz, Memphis' Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, manages to crack a smile from the helm of a tandem where Memphis City Councilman Bill Morrison rides in tow. 

And don't let his half smile fool you - City Engineer John Cameron, pictured fore right in the photo - enjoyed riding his bike all over the Netherlands in early October.  Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Memphis George Little, pictured just behind Cameron, described his trip to the Netherlands as "eye-opening."

"In terms of the practical everyday use of bikes," Little…

Chicago: Active Trans takes an active role in promoting green lanes

By John Greenfield

After a lull earlier this fall, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is moving full speed ahead expanding the city’s bikeway network. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has committed to building 150 miles of green lanes (110 miles protected and 40 miles buffered) by 2015. Earlier this year CDOT bikeway project director Mike Amsden told me he hoped to reach a total of thirty miles of green lanes before construction season ends this year.

The department recently striped several new stretches of buffered lanes…

Introducing green lanes on Fell and Oak streets in San Francisco

By Alexis Chavez

Physically separated green lanes will be introduced on Fell and Oak streets, making the route safer and more inviting for all people who wish to ride a bike. These streets are the flattest and most direct links to the Panhandle bike path and the Wiggle route, which is an extremely popular path despite the high volumes of traffic.

In…