Shaun Courtney examines the current politics surrounding gentrification and bicycling throughout the country and what planners can do to address the issue.
Shaun Courtney of Urbanful discusses the relationship between gentrification and bicycling in many American cities today. Although intended to be a safe designation of space for cyclists amid vehicular traffic, bike lane plans have caused controversy due to their perception as a step toward gentrification.
Alex Wilson, the executive director of the nonprofit West Town Bikes / Ciclo Urbano in Chicago said, "sometimes I think [bike] education and encouragement doesn’t get a fair shake. The city needs to think about the folks who will actually use all these new bike lanes. They should consider, how much is this a plan for pavement and how much is it a plan for people?" in a recent post on Grid Chicago.
Courtney believes that cities must remove the perception that bike lanes getting built in a new neighborhood are intended to attract new-comers, and propose bike lanes instead of imposing bike lanes. One way to do this is to solicit input and adjust plans according to community buy-in, and stress that the benefits of bike lanes serve “all residents regardless of status: They reduce congestion, create a safer road environment, incentive healthy behavior and create access to jobs and economic centers.”
FULL STORY: Do bike lanes gentrify neighborhoods?
New Research Explains Why Only Some Neighborhoods Get Bike Infrastructure
Canadian researchers made the case at the Transportation Research Board this past week that improved bike infrastructure and neighborhood gentrification go hand in hand. They used research gathered fromi Portland and Chicago.
Making Sure Bike Lanes Aren't Viewed as "White Lanes"
Bike infrastructure is often viewed with skepticism in minority neighborhoods across the U.S. Jay Walljasper looks at how to extend the benefits of biking to communities that often have fewer options for transportation and exercise.
Obama Library Displacement Concerns: City Council Falls Short of Local Demands
The Chicago City Council has approved an ordinance intended to protect residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the planned Barack Obama Presidential Center.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Median Home Prices Top $1 Million in Over 200 California Towns
Towns once known for their affordability are seeing sharply rising home prices.
LA County Receives Reconnecting Communities Grants
Seven grant awards totaling $162 million will be used for planning, capital projects, and regional partnerships to reduce environmental harm and improve access in disadvantaged communities.
Seine Pollution Could Hinder Olympic Swim Events
Events like the triathlon could be impacted if tests continue to reveal high levels of dangerous bacteria in Paris’ famous river.
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