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Beyond protected lanes, some thoughts--from a small, sometimes-dressed-up, woman's perspective--about how buildings and cities and innovators can make regular bike riding easier and more likely. @bikenewyork, @TransAlt @NYC_DOT
Frictions are weight, dirt, and extra baggage.
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Frictions are weight, dirt, and extra baggage.
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1. Lifting bikes from wall racks is not always easy, and clothes can get smudged with dirt in the process. Buildings can offer horizontal, secure, roll-out bike parking for regular riders, and even nightly hose-down service, so bikes are always clean + dry in the a.m.
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2/7
2. Portable bike locks are cumbersome, can get wet + dirty, and add several pounds of extra weight. Helmets add yet another thing to carry. The City can help by investing in ubiquitous, secure, covered, bike + helmet parking, like @ooneepod.
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3/7
3. The City can then work to ensure that riding is safe enough that helmets aren't needed via wide, protected, smooth, continuous, non-slippery bike lanes.
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4/7
4. The City can also invest in countering bike theft so that heavy locks are unnecessary. Free or low-cost bikes for those who need them, standardized serial numbers on all parts + owner registration, street cameras, high-octane enforcement... http://bit.ly/3b99ovV
5/7
5/7
5. It rains, snows, or broils much of the time in #NYC. Full-coverage rain + snow shields / umbrellas, sun-shields, handlebar warmers + coolers, fans, etc. would go a long way. Even better, thick tree canopies over bike boulevards would help protect riders from the elements.
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6/7
6. Pumping tires is a more time-consuming, daily, and inscrutable process than it should be. Imagine if drivers had to pump their car tires every morning? Maybe tire technology needs to be revisited... http://bit.ly/3qoaB8V
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