The Bumpy Road Toward Bicycle Equality

After 30 years of advocacy, Ithaca bicyclists have finally succeeded in securing funding – and public support – for two new bike routes. Financial concerns and the removal of some on-street parking held the plan back for years, until a reincarnated citizen advisory group helped pressure the city council into approval. A supporter calls the simple strips of pavement essential “to end the unnecessary conflicts between people – on foot, on bikes, and in motor vehicles – which are caused by road designs that ignore the basic rights and needs of people when they aren't using cars.” In the meantime, the number of cyclists commuting to work has increased, with some paying as low as $50 a year for transportation costs.

Thanks to David Gest