Over the past thirty years, Friss (2016) indicates that bicycles have evolved from recreational activity to a logical mode of transport being used by some people. The bicycle industry is increasing each year drastically due to the increase in vehicle price and transport forcing roadway engineers and transport planners to take bicycling more serious. Although this is the case, there have been debates from the federal and state government on whether they should use transportation taxes to build bike paths parallel to major roads. Bicycle path forever changed the landscape of the city and the bicycle's place in it. The potential negative results of making bicycle path spaces stressed traditionalists who reminded their riders that bikes were vehicles and belonged to the streets (Friss, 2016). Others seized the opportunity to fabricate a system of helpful and safe bike roadways. The level headed discussion broke the new bike coalition in the 1890s and somehow, keeps on doing as such even today. About this, the article will discuss the benefits and reasons why bike paths have to be established for the interest of the cyclist, the community, and the transportation sector.
Cycling is a means of transport which has no difference from the car. The main reason for transport it for utility and purpose although it is also used for leisure which is provided by both cars and bicycles. Gant (2016) notes that bicycle transport can help to, conserve fuel, reduce congestion, improve mobility and improve air quality which is the key principle why the Commonwealth is committed to implementing this mode of transport. Massachusetts has already come up with a bicycle transportation plan that aims at improving the conditions of bicycling. They are going to accomplish this by prioritizing and identifying improvement to the current infrastructure and by promoting supportive policies (McLennan, 2008). The reason for implementing the bicycle transportation plan is for the purpose of improving connections to transport resources and important places aiming at establishing a detailed policy framework for bicycle transportation.
Implementing bicycle paths epitomizes yet another technique to restructure traffic. In major cities, bicycle paths have been used to minimize traffic and are safer compared to major roads because of minimized traffic offenses and accidents. Investing in this alternative in certain high-use corridors will help to meet travel demands creating a beneficial effect on traffic congestion. According to Edmonton (1992), this measure is used to divert the speed of traffic for instance speed humps and traffic circles. Walker (2016) indicates that, since bicycle lanes were built in London, the number of users has increased by 60 percent which is the figure released by Transport for London.
More bicycles will conversely decrease the number of vehicles in the roads. Specifically, on short distances, bicycles has a mode of transport will be accepted more because it will create mobility and increase safety. Constructing our transportation framework more secure for bicyclists will influence more people to ride bikes thus increasing existing bicyclists. Safety recompenses will likewise gather to all roadway system user. Walker (2016) insists that the number of motor vehicles on London roads has decreased and reduced congestion.
Compared to motor vehicles, bicycles are affordable regarding retail prices and travel cost. It also addresses the issue of packing whereby out high-density cities and towns are always characterized by vehicle congestion which results in parking scarcity (McLennan, 2008). In cities and major towns, packing construction costs are very high making bicycles a more competitive mode of travel. Bicycles also do not take a larger space for parking meaning that there will be more available space for parking.
The environmental and public health sectors have also acknowledged the implementation to bicycle paths indicating that they facilitate health and environmental energy. Since this mode of transport entails physical body involvement, it becomes a form of exercise. This will help reduce obesity and heart disease among other diseases that are caused by the accumulation of fats in the body (Edmonton, 1992). Bicycles are grouped to be non-polluting modes and none-motorized transportation because they do not rely on fossil fuels which mean they do not emit greenhouses gasses making them environmentally friendly.
The role of bicycles in urban development should not be undermined. We need to learn from other cities where bicycles have shaped these cities and the lives of residents. The general objective of the received local transportation plan is to give an integrated, all-mode transportation system, which offers the proficient, compelling, and safe development of individuals and gives mode decision wherever conceivable while improving the eccentric and risk of localities. If this objective is to be accomplished, the necessities of bicyclists and other option transportation clients must be considered when arranging and planning all transportation upgrades on new environs. The bike path is a successful method of transportation that is tranquil, non-polluting, adaptable, healthy and fun. Bicycling is the most energy-productive type of transportation, and is especially appropriate for shorter excursions and offers ease mobility. Bike transportation has many advantages regarding public health and wellbeing, energy utilization, economic action and environmental quality.
References
Edmonton (Alta.). (1992). City of Edmonton, bicycle transportation plan. Edmonton:
Transportation Planning Branch, Transportation Dept.
Friss, E. (2016). The cycling city: Bicycles and urban America in the 1890s.
Gant, J. (January 01, 2016). Evan Friss, The Cycling City: Bicycles and Urban America in the
1890s. Winterthur Portfolio, 50, 195-195.
McLennan, A., Massachusetts. Planners Collaborative, Inc., TranSystems Corporation., National
Center for Bicycling & Walking. & Rubel Bike Maps. (2008). Massachusetts Bicycle Transportation Plan. Boston, Mass.: Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation.
Walker, P. (2016, October 06). Cycle lanes don't cause traffic jams: they're part of the solution.
Retrieved April 04, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2016/oct/06/cycle-lanes-dont-cause-traffic-jams-theyre-part-of-the-solution
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