Cycling Infrastructure
It's possible to dramatically increase cycling traffic in a relatively short period of time by adding cycling infrastructure. In just four years, the city of Seville increased bike traffic more than tenfold by building protected, permanent bike lanes connecting the whole city.
For some places, there may be an even easier, cheaper way to foster more cycling. Although the need for bike lanes gets a lot of press, The Best Way to Promote City Riding is to add Bike Racks.
This is something almost any business owner can do for very little money without having to lobby for new laws or jump through similar hoops. (Do check your local rules, of course.)
One reason to do so is in hopes of bringing in more tourism dollars with less environmental burden. If you are fortunate to have one or more old-fashioned scenic highways instead of the usual limited-access freeways, cycling enthusiasts can readily access the region in order to visit the natural beauty and historic sites without a vehicle because they aren't forbidden from riding on them. (It's illegal to walk or cycle on an interstate.)
- Install racks next to or near the entrance bicycling customers and employees will be using.
- Place bike racks in sheltered areas protected from rain and excess sun.
- Make sure the racks have excellent visibility and are in a well-lit and highly trafficked area.
- If the racks are full all the time, it's time to add more racks.
- Skip the "grid" bike racks. Instead, get the standard inverted U racks, post and loop racks or the coat hanger rack.
Additional Resources
- The Essential Guide to Bike Parking
- Making Space for Mobility: Three Policies to Expand Bicycle Parking
Additionally, they should be pretty, eye-catching colors so people notice that there are bike racks in the area. Brown loops sticking up out of the ground on random sidewalk corners without shelter may get mentally glossed over as water pipes or other utilities. It may not register to people as bike racks.
