The real test of a city’s bike infrastructure isn’t measured in miles of bike lane but in how comfortable and safe they are for everyone.

The city of Vancouver has made progress increasing bike travel and looks to continue to grow cycling, to the city is working to improve its bike infrastructure. "But smart cities also know that quality of bike lanes is just as important as quantity, especially if what’s being built (or let’s be honest–what’s being painted) isn’t really safe, or comfortable," Brent Toderian writes for Fast Company.
While experienced riders may be comfortable riding on most city streets, novice riders generally avoid places where there’s not actual protection from cars, either in separate paths or separated bike lanes. The city has created a category of bike infrastructure it calls "AAA" which does not include painted bike paths, even those that have a buffer. "Vancouver’s manager of transportation planning, Dale Bracewell, notes, it’s more than a mantra or brand for our transportation 'plangineers,' it’s city policy, a mandate, and a profound accountability," Toderian writes. This policy aims not only to bring new riders out on the streets but also to keep those riders safer.
FULL STORY: If only experienced cyclists feel safe in a bike lane, then is it a bike lane at all?

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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