Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Retrofitting the Way We Commute


A number of engineers and urban planners, including the City of Miami’s chief of infrastructure, Alice Bravo, have been investigating ways to make bicycle commuting a more popular method of transport in American cities. The biggest way to make bikers feel safe is to separate the traffic by speeds. Cars and bikes can travel side by side when the difference in speeds in slow so bicycling will not be dangerous. On the other hand, when the speed limit is high, there is a much more rigorous separation of traffic.  The Dutch also find biking more comfortable. A Miami-Dade County MPO found the separate bicycle lanes and intersections under highway overpasses in the Netherlands a very feasible idea to implement because underpasses in Miami are otherwise so dangerous to cross. Ever since the 1970s fuel shortage, Dutch traffic engineers have become very engaged in making bicycle commuting a viable alternative and more convenient and safer method of transport over cars. They have made small changes like distinct lanes and signage to welcome bikers onto the streets, but at the same time make sure biking and driving work well with each other. Also, in front of popular public spaces, technologically advanced bike parking areas have been installed as well. As a result, one will notice the vibrancy in a neighborhood.

Read more and watch video under Mobility

from "Streets Blogs"

No comments:

Post a Comment