Thread by @DavidZipper, The Biden administration can help keep the bike boom going, even after [...]

The Biden administration can help keep the bike boom going, even after the pandemic ends. That would help reduce pollution and improve health nationwide.

I wrote a new policy proposal for the @Day1Project outlining specific steps.
https://www.dayoneproject.org/post/sustaining-the-2020-biking-boom

The Biden administration can help keep the bike boom going, even after the pandemic ends. That would help reduce pollution and improve health nationwide.I wrote a new policy proposal for the @Day1Project outlining specific steps. https://www.dayoneproject.org/post/sustaining-the-2020-biking-boom

A bit of background:

Biking is way up this year in many cities famous for auto dominance (i.e., LA and Houston).

And a bunch of bikeshare systems have set new ridership records, including those in NYC, Chicago, and Las Vegas.

2/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-23/how-the-coronavirus-affected-biking-in-u-s-cities

The Pandemic Bike Boom Hits in Some Unexpected American Cities

Los Angeles and Houston are hardly cycling capitals. But both saw surges in biking after Covid-19 began, according to new data from the fitness app Strava.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-23/how-the-coronavirus-affected-biking-in-u-s-cities

BUT.

The USA saw cycling booms during the 1890s, 1930s, and the 1970s.

Each of them fizzled. The same could happen this time around.

3/ https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/jun/16/pedal-ins-patchouli-bikeology-americas-forgotten-1970s-cycle-boom

Pedal-ins and car burials: what happened to America's forgotten 1970s cycle boom?

‘Bicycle madness’ once saw US bike sales outstrip cars, and spawned ambitious plans for 100,000 miles of cycle paths. Then the music stopped

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/jun/16/pedal-ins-patchouli-bikeology-americas-forgotten-1970s-cycle-boom

The federal government played a negligible role in prior bike booms, but Biden's readiness to address climate change suggests this time could be different.

Cycling is by far the cleanest way to travel (other than walking). Chart below from the OECD:
https://www.itf-oecd.org/good-to-go-environmental-performance-new-mobility#

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The federal government can help keep America riding by focusing on ways to make cycling 1) SAFE and 2) AFFORDABLE.

Now let’s get into the specifics.

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SAFE:

USDOT needs to know where collisions happen so it can push for safer roads & streets.

NHTSA & FHWA should require states to submit annual data of cyclist deaths/injuries, along with sidewalks & cycle lanes. States should be ranked by progress.

6/ https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/09/29/why-your-city-doesnt-map-its-worst-car-crashes/

Why Your City Doesn’t Map Its Worst Car Crashes

The idea of a “High Injury Network” isn’t new. But a surprising number of cities don’t bother to map it.

https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/09/29/why-your-city-doesnt-map-its-worst-car-crashes/

NHTSA should revise its New Car Assessment Program to give top 5-star ratings only to vehicles that can detect a cyclist or pedestrian and halt the vehicle in an emergency.

Europe has been doing this for years:
https://www.euroncap.com/en/vehicle-safety/the-ratings-explained/vulnerable-road-user-vru-protection/aeb-pedestrian/

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FHWA should dump MUTCD’s 85th percentile rule, which leads to dangerously high local speed limits.

FHWA should also prohibit states from setting “negative" safety goals that target annual increases in cyclist and pedestrian deaths.

8/ https://t4america.org/2019/01/23/many-of-the-most-dangerous-states-for-people-walking-are-planning-for-more-people-to-die/

Many of the most dangerous states for people walking are planning for more people to die - Transp...

13 Americans per day were struck and killed while walking by drivers from 2008-2017, according to a report released today by our colleagues at the National Complete Streets Coalition. Dangerous by...

https://t4america.org/2019/01/23/many-of-the-most-dangerous-states-for-people-walking-are-planning-for-more-people-to-die/

AFFORDABLE:

The US Trade Representative should exempt Chinese bikes and bike parts from tariffs, which can increase costs by ~15%.

9/ https://peopleforbikes.org/tariffs/

Tariffs 101: What you need to know about the Chinese bike tariffs.

What are tariffs? How will recently proposed tariffs affect businesses in the bike industry? What can you do to take action?

https://peopleforbikes.org/tariffs/

The Biden admin should press for legislation that makes bike and bikeshare expenses eligible for pre-tax commuter benefits.

Better yet, revise the Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit to give subsidies to e-bikes in addition to electric automobiles.

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And if the Biden admin REALLY wants systemic change, here’s a key:

USDOT should establish reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled as new “performance measures.”

That will push states to include bike & ped infrastructure across lots of projects.

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Need evidence that federal steps are necessary?

Stock prices for Shimano and Cannondale tanked last week when Pfizer announced a potential COVID vaccine.

The markets right now *expect* Americans to stop biking when the virus is over.

12/ https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/11/13/wall-street-thinks-the-bike-boom-is-over-and-thats-the-problem/

Wall Street Thinks the Bike Boom is Over. And That’s the Problem.

Wall Street is signaling the end of the COVID-19 bike boom – and sending yet another signal that our very economy is structured to favor driving above all else.

https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/11/13/wall-street-thinks-the-bike-boom-is-over-and-thats-the-problem/

But come January, a Biden administration can enact smart policies that will keep the bike boom going strong.

Full proposal is free to access:
https://www.dayoneproject.org/post/sustaining-the-2020-biking-boom

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