Question

Sharing the Road​

1

Each year, countless crashes occur between bicycles and vehicles. While causes vary, one solution stands out: In cities where dedicated bike lanes have been added, injuries and deaths have dropped significantly.

2

Cities offer several types of bike lanes, from simple painted lines marking the border between drivers and cyclists, to protected lanes with physical barriers or even completely separate off-street trails. Protected lanes have shown the most impressive results. In New York City, serious injuries dropped by nearly 50 percent in areas with protected lanes, and in Portland, Oregon, injuries and fatalities decreased by an amazing 75 percent.

3

Safety is extremely important, but cities are discovering additional benefits. In Washington, D.C., bicycle commuting doubled just five years after installing protected lanes. More cyclists means less traffic congestion for everyone. Each person who bikes instead of drives reduces harmful pollution from car exhaust. Cities also report healthier citizens thanks to the exercise biking provides.

4

Some people argue against bike lanes, claiming they cause more problems than they solve. City officials often point to two main concerns: parking and funding. In places where space is limited, adding bike lanes might mean removing street parking along downtown roads. Officials worry fewer parking spaces will drive customers away from local businesses. They are also concerned by the cost. In 2020, a single mile of protected bicycle lane cost up to half a million dollars.

5

But these arguments overlook important benefits to sharing the road. Protected bike lanes result in safer streets for everyone—cyclists, pedestrians, and even drivers. While parking and budget concerns are real challenges, cities have found that businesses near bike lanes have actually seen increased customer traffic. This is because many families would prefer to bike to local shops and restaurants when they feel safe doing so. In addition, protected bike lanes would give students more independence traveling to school, and help communities become more connected when people can move around safely.​

6

While communities may need time to adjust, the benefits offered by protected bike lanes outweigh both the costs and temporary inconveniences. As more people feel safe enough to bicycle around town, the demand for parking naturally decreases. The choice is clear: We must invest in protected bike lanes to make cities safer and healthier for everyone.

Question 4 of 8
How does the author's response to conflicting evidence support the perspective that bike lanes are a good investment for communities?​

by arguing that communities need time to adjust to the loss of bike lanes​

by acknowledging evidence that protected bike lanes are more expensive than painted lines​

by providing evidence that businesses near bike lanes will see increased customer traffic​

by describing how protected bike lanes reduce traffic congestion in most cities

Answer 1

by providing evidence that businesses near bike lanes will see increased customer traffic