Banning the Cul-de-Sac and Building Bike Highways

From bicycle highways to a ban on the cul-de-sac, the built environment is the focus of many of The New York Times Magazine's ideas of the year.

1 minute read

December 13, 2009, 11:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

The utopian idea of bicycle highways is becoming a reality. Copenhagen has one in the works, and a series of bicycle interstates has been proposed for the U.S. as well.

"The bicycle highway - no red lights, no cars - is every cyclist's fantasy. There are now signs that infrastructure is catching up with the dream. In October 2008, an association of U.S. state-highway officials approved the concept of a national Bicycle Routes Corridor Plan - the first step in potential American bike Interstates. But this amounts to little more than a go-ahead for states to put bike-route signs on existing roads.

Copenhagen, however, began last month to create the real thing: a system of as many as 15 extra-wide, segregated bike routes connecting the suburbs to the center of the city."

Other ideas include plans to build plant-like structures that absorb CO2, and the addition of noise to quiet hybrid cars.

FULL STORY: The 9th Annual Year in Ideas

Friday, December 11, 2009 in The New York Times Magazine

Infrastructure Land Use Transportation United States Culs-de-Sac Bicycle Highways View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.