Bicycles: The Key to Green Cities

In the 21st century, Americans grapple with a wide range of expanding societal problems like obesity and its associated health issues, traffic gridlock, reduced family time, and a lack of city centers and “third places”. Third-places are places we like to go such as book stores, gyms, libraries, parks, and other spots where we meet people known or unknown, some of whom we likely share common interests. If we ask ourselves what brought on our societal problems, we might realize that longer work hours and the nation’s suburbanization (normalized in the late 20th century) has siloed a majority of us into bedroom “communities”, effectively isolating us in our homes.

My time overseas provided me with a perspective that many Americans who have traveled abroad can relate to – an appreciation for high-quality town centers and the slower pace of life that comes from not having to drive everywhere for all activities. Upon returning to the U.S. from a trip to Spain and France, I experienced a jarring sense of contrast; a “reverse culture shock” that remains vivid in my memory over 30 years later. The absence of pedestrian life was striking – no one walking, nobody on a bicycle, not a soul was in sight, presenting a sort of apocalyptic landscape.

How the U.S. became a car-dependent nation has its origins in the early prioritization of automobiles at the exclusion of streetcars and bicycles. These eco-friendly-transportation modes had been prominent in most American towns of more than 10,000 people until the 1930s. Today, several European cities have become sustainability models in the utilization of the simple bicycle as a major tool in the restoration of transportation balance.

Bikes: Healthy for People and Cities

The health benefits of regular cycling are substantial and well-documented across numerous studies. In some European countries with universal healthcare, governments have recognized cycling as an effective preventive health measure that warrants investment. Research has consistently shown that regular cycling can reduce mortality rates among adults by approximately 30% compared to non-cyclists. This reduction comes from improvements in cardiovascular health, decreased obesity rates, and better mental health outcomes.

One notable example is the city of Copenhagen, where health economists have calculated annual healthcare savings of approximately $100 million directly attributable to bicycle commuting. These calculations don’t even account for the broader economic benefits from increased productivity of a healthier workforce, reduced absenteeism, decreased road maintenance costs, and reduced traffic congestion.

The economic case for cycling infrastructure becomes even more compelling when examining the full cost-benefit analysis. While building grade-separated bikeways costs approximately two million dollars per mile per side, these investments typically pay for themselves within five years through healthcare savings and economic benefits. Economic impact studies estimate that every mile cycled yields a net gain for society of 21 cents, compared to a net loss of 12 cents per mile driven by car. These figures include both savings in the public sector from reduced health care costs and increases in private sector economic activity in bicycle-friendly districts.

Furthermore, the physical activity associated with regular cycling helps combat the obesity epidemic that costs the American healthcare system billions of dollars annually. Studies show that people who commute by bicycle are leaner and healthier than those who drive. As healthcare costs continue to rise in the United States, preventive measures like encouraging active transportation deserve serious consideration as cost-effective public health interventions.

Bicycle Commuting and Green Cities

Today, more people bike to work in greater Copenhagen than in the whole of the United States, with commuters riding an average of three and a half miles each way. This remarkable achievement didn’t happen overnight. Over the past 30 years, Copenhagen has implemented a strategic vision that gradually reclaimed urban space from cars and reallocated it to bicycles and pedestrians. This transformation involved not just building bike lanes, but rethinking the entire urban landscape to prioritize human-scaled mobility.

The environmental benefits of this shift have been substantial. Each person who chooses to commute by bicycle rather than car reduces carbon emissions by approximately 1,500 pounds per year. When multiplied across thousands of daily commuters, the impact on urban air quality and greenhouse gas emissions is significant. Cities with high bicycle mode shares consistently report better air quality metrics and lower carbon footprints than comparable car-centric cities.

In the Netherlands, where cycling culture is perhaps the most inclusive globally, the Dutch Cycling Embassy (DCE) has emerged as a leader in promoting sustainable urban mobility. The DCE shares the Dutch model with business and government leaders worldwide who are grappling with challenges of urbanization, city revitalization, and the need for sustainable transit solutions. The Dutch experience demonstrates that bicycles directly contribute to better health and urban livability, road safety, cleaner air, improved traffic flow, decreased social isolation, and economic vitality.

What’s particularly notable about the Dutch approach is its inclusivity. Cycling isn’t just for the young, fit, or environmentally conscious – it’s for everyone. In the Netherlands, people of all ages and abilities cycle regularly, from children to seniors. This inclusivity stems from comprehensive infrastructure that makes cycling safe and convenient for all, regardless of physical ability or confidence level.

Green cities also benefit from the space efficiency of bicycles. A single car parking space can accommodate up to 12 bicycles, allowing for more efficient use of valuable urban real estate. This space efficiency translates to more room for parks, plazas, outdoor dining, and other amenities that enhance urban quality of life.

The Bicycle is a Valid Form of Transit

In the American context, transitioning to bicycle-friendly infrastructure requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive bicycle transportation. Rather than viewing it as a recreational activity or a niche hobby for enthusiasts, we must recognize cycling as a legitimate and practical transportation option for everyday Americans going about their daily business.

This shift requires reframing bicycle users as regular citizens using an efficient mode of transport, rather than as “cyclists” belonging to a subculture. The Danish consulting firm Copenhagenize advises cities on precisely this kind of rebranding through behavior and marketing campaigns. Their very name represents the concept of making cities more livable through the development of “Complete Streets” – a concept that has gained traction in the United States through a namesake non-profit organization dedicated to building and promoting better streets for everyone.

For bicycle infrastructure to function effectively as transit, it must be designed with the same level of care and attention as other transportation systems. This means creating connected networks of protected bike lanes, bicycle traffic signals, secure bicycle parking, and integration with public transit systems. When implemented comprehensively, such infrastructure can make cycling a competitive option in terms of travel time, cost, and convenience compared to driving, especially for trips under five miles, which represent approximately 60% of all urban trips in America.

The validity of bicycles as transit is further supported by their remarkable efficiency. Bicycles are the most energy-efficient form of transportation ever invented, requiring significantly less energy per passenger-mile than cars, buses, or even walking. In congested urban environments, bicycles often outperform cars in terms of door-to-door travel time, especially during peak hours.Moreover, bicycle infrastructure is remarkably cost-effective compared to other transit investments. While a mile of protected bike lane costs approximately $1-2 million to construct, a mile of urban freeway can cost upwards of $60 million. This economic efficiency makes bicycle infrastructure an attractive option for cities working with limited transportation budgets.

Livable Cities and Bike Infrastructure

As our municipalities struggle with declining state and federal funds, empty sidewalks, and questions of how and where to best accommodate new growth, leaders must look to model cities for inspiration on proven green strategies. For value-driven solutions, they should visit Buenos Aires to see how transforming the curbside space along quieter streets every eight blocks or so is a low-cost/high-yield proposition for safe and equitable active mobility.They can visit the Netherlands and Denmark and see how some of the many smaller cities outside of the famous Amsterdam and Copenhagen have been planned. Of course, every city in the world is laid out differently and is required to accommodate Complete Streets infrastructure in unique ways. Many cities in Europe have a limited land mass, having similar amounts of total land as the diminutive city-proper areas of Boston and San Francisco. While numerous cities in the US have large areas in which to accommodate future growth, especially in the Sunbelt, in reality they can only achieve long-term viability and vitality by centering development within existing, built-up areas.Today’s singles and young families desire meaningful town life that allows them to walk or bike on safe paths through downtown’s filled with shops, entertainment, and urban amenities. As the Dutch and Danish urban models have demonstrated, substantial numbers of people would ride bikes routinely if proper and extensive tracks were incorporated into our cities. The simple bike can unlock the door to smart growth in America, without compromising our love affair with cars.

Pedaling Forward: A Call to Action for American Cities

The success stories of bicycle infrastructure in American cities provide compelling evidence that what works in Copenhagen and Amsterdam can indeed work here. Minneapolis, despite its harsh winters, has developed one of the most extensive urban bike networks in the country, with over 200 miles of bikeways. The city’s investment in bicycle infrastructure has paid dividends in public health, reduced congestion, and economic development along cycling corridors.

Portland, Oregon transformed itself from a car-dependent city to one where 7% of commuters now travel by bicycle—a remarkable achievement by American standards. The city achieved this through consistent investment in protected bike lanes, bicycle boulevards, and bicycle-friendly policies. Portland’s success demonstrates that significant mode shift is possible with sustained commitment to bicycle infrastructure.

New York City, under former Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, added over 400 miles of bike lanes in just six years, demonstrating that even the largest, most complex American cities can rapidly transform their transportation networks. The results have been impressive: increased cycling, decreased crashes, and improved retail sales along corridors with protected bike lanes.

San Francisco has pioneered innovative approaches like the “wiggle”—a bicycle route that zigzags through neighborhoods to avoid steep hills—and protected intersections that dramatically improve safety at conflict points between bicycles and motor vehicles.These American success stories show that a comprehensive national strategy requires:1. Political commitment to comprehensive bicycle networks with meaningful funding2. National design standards for safety and comfort for all ages and abilities3. Tax incentives for bicycle commuting and integration with public transit4. Federal infrastructure funding specifically for bicycle and pedestrian projects5. Integration of bicycle planning into all transportation and land use decisionsThe bicycle represents a simple yet powerful solution to many urban challenges facing America today. By investing in bicycle infrastructure, we can create healthier communities, reduce emissions, ease congestion, and build more vibrant cities. The evidence from both American and international cities demonstrates that when safe, connected bicycle networks are built, people will use them.The path forward is clear. With political will and strategic investment in bicycle infrastructure, we can transform our cities into more sustainable, livable places for all. The bicycle revolution is underway—it’s time for America to fully embrace it.