The Human-Scale Design Podcast

Spread of protected bike lanes, with Michael Andersen

cycle_track

Sustainable Cities Collective

Not everyone is a bicycling news junkie. But if you’ve read about bike infrastructure projects in the last year, you’ve probably read articles by Michael Andersen. He’s on staff with the Green Lane Project — a program that helps people design better bike lanes.

He also works part-time as a news editor with BikePortland.org.

 

What turns a newsman into a bike advocate?

Michael was trained as a journalist. He didn’t have a personal obsession with bikes until he had a professional obsession with bikes.

Yes, he lives in Portland–America’s holy land for cycling–but Michael approached transportation issues from an equity perspective. He was learning about people released from jail who shared stories with a common thread: car falls apart and bad stuff followed.

 

“Honey, statistically speaking you’re going to die before me if you keep driving to work.”

Michael’s work involves talking to people from all walks of life. Most Americans have been programmed to believe that streets are safe for cars but dangerous for people to walk or bike.

At least that’s my observation. Is the average person ready to re-think the purpose and function of streets?

Michael challenges my assumptions and then speaks on behalf of all mankind. You want to hear this.

 

What is a protected bike lane?

I hear you. You want to geek out about human-scale city streets but you’re not sure how to sort out these different types of bicycling infrastructure. Is it the same thing as a bike lane? A cycle track? A greenway? HELP!

Bike lanes started in the U.S. as a simple white stripe. Something that seemed familiar enough since that’s how we separated motorists on streets.

Michael gives a very helpful overview of the evolution of protected bike lanes and why they’re becoming so popular in the United States.

 

America’s 10 Best Protected Bike Lanes of 2013

Go ahead and read the article. (It’s ok, I’ll wait.)

In December 2013, Green Lane Project (part of People for Bikes) published a story about 2013’s best protected bike lanes.

Are you curious about how so many great projects are evaluated and ranked? Listen up!

Michael also expands on the #1 ranked project — Dearborn Street in Chicago (take a 5-minute ride here). What made it so special when compared with other contenders?

 

Connect with our guest

Michael Andersen writes in several places. Drop him a note to tell him how much you appreciated his interview!

 

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