Protected, or separated, bike lanes have become increasingly common around the United States. Studies have consistently found that people prefer bike facilities that are separated from traffic, such as off-street paths and protected bike lanes, with physical separation such as a post or curb providing increased comfort. The preference for these separated facilities appears to be greater amongst cyclists who ride primarily for recreation (as opposed to for transportation) and among those who… Read More

Transit-oriented development, or TOD, could be the “poster child” for sustainable urban development. It concentrates land uses, including commercial and multi-family housing, near transit stations so as to reduce car dependency and increase ridership. The benefits are manifold; increased community health, positive economic impacts, less harm to the environment and potentially greater social equity. But what about affordability? In exchange for all these benefits, do TOD residents spend more… Read More