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.
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