Density vs Sprawl
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Urban planning ideas
How do countries with traditional high use of bikes deal with associated problems? The answer is simple and clear: Urban designers think under the bicycle perspective. It means creating and adapting infrastructures for cycling. For example, instead of a normal bike line consisting of two parallel lines if seen from the sky, they have implemented conic bike lines. This is due to the facts that bikers ride at different speeds usually and to diminish time in covering the same length. So, when there is the need of speed bicycle traffic, some bikers can pass others as there is enough space to do it.
Other well-established infrastructure is to create specific-bike bridges to overpass rivers, houses, highways you name it. This way bikers avoid major tours. Going a step further, such bridges can be suitable for pedestrians with a dedicated longitudinal line of half of the total space.
Changes of the traffic light sequence is another good idea. Such countries prioritize bikes over cars in some very busy streets. Moreover, some traffic lights have a cyclist counter and when it reaches a previously determined number, the green light for bikes appears out of a sudden. When designing bike parking, it is necessary to take into account dedicated areas for cargo bikes and electric charges for ebikes. And of course, please do not design narrow bike lines.
Bike highways allow connecting cities with industrial areas and villages. If this is the case, they should show enough wide as to allow easy and secure overtaking.
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Maddy Novich
The use of cargo bikes has been increasing over the last years. Even in countries so pro-car as the USA, this kind of bicycles remains a clear alternative to cars. Maddy Novich, Criminal Law teacher at Manhattan University, knows it in deep. This mother of three has five cargo bikes and uses them to carry couches or big wardrobe, and also her three children. The children enjoy the rides while playing, eating, or chatting in the box. Moreover, she is always open to answer questions in relation to bikes and particularly cargo bikes to others moms who want to gain independence and take care of their health and environment. Maddy advises about issues like what cargo bike model to choose or how to drive a cargo bike.
She has also visited several European countries and appreciates specially those who offer good, physically separated bike lines from car lines. Indeed, Maddy started using cargo bikes in Amsterdam back in 2019. Moreover, she highlights the difference mentality of European and American car drivers. She affirms that in general European car drives respect bikers more in the sense that they reduce speed and keep more safety distance when they see a bicycle.
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Alternative ways to promote biking
When you think about how to promote the use of bicycles, you surely come across with ideas such as connected bike lines, use physical separators between bike lines and car lines, or the creation of bike parking. While these points are completely accepted, there are others which are being put into practice in some European countries.
Employees can deduct about €0.30 per kilometer when pedaling to work in their Personal Income Tax. Moreover, bike leasing offers an attractive issue. A long-term bicycle renting, without Personal Income Tax and included maintenance is what some companies are offering. It is the same concept as the company car, but as company bike. Regarding bikes cargo, there is also the leasing option which can include insurance, road assistance and repairs. Indeed, if you want to buy it after three years, you can do it by the remainder of the payment, or change for a new bike cargo with the same fee.
Alternatively, governments can give money to citizens who practice sustainable mobility (including biking). Forcing companies to pay at least 50% of the public transport cost for their employees is other realistic idea.
Now, imagine a large facility firm location. Would not it be marvelous if government paid for bicycles for employees? This is something that is being made in some European countries as well as offering important tax deductions to bike messenger service companies when buying bicycles.
Finally, the reduction of bicycle VAT constitutes another economic action to promote the use of bikes.