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A few things to know this week: May 21, 2021

This week’s things to know:

Study: Cycling Rates Low Unless Women Are Riding (Streetsblog)
A lot of coverage on bikes, biking, and bicycle infrastructure this week. Not only is the weather getting nicer, more and more people are getting their exercise outside as a result of comfort and routine that was developed over the last year plus of gyms being closed. This report and associated study provides some validation toward the old truism that the presence of diverse women on bikes is the single best indicator of a healthy cycling ecosystem. It is long overdue that U.S. communities start centering the unique needs of marginalized people when they make our transportation decisions. -Ryan

Poor Curb Management is Costing Cities Billions - Governing (Governing)
Parking specialists at Walker Consulting have been studying data to evaluate the amount of revenue cities are losing from poor parking and curb management strategies. Here are 5 areas they suggest cities look into. -Kevin

Bike to Work Week rolled out May 17 – Blue Ribbon News (Blue Ribbon News)
If you went into the office this week, did you ride your bike? Were you able to? Does that thought even enter your head when getting yourself out the door and out into your community? This week my bike to work goal was squandered by some serious rain in the area, but even then the bike infrastructure to and from my home is not up to par with what might encourage a less experienced rider to choose a bike over a car to get themselves to work or the store. -Ryan

The Business Case for Car-Free Streets (CityLab)
This article supports the previous articles we have pushed forward covering car-free streets, and also plays into the role that these streets could have on people's choice to pick up the bike out of the garage rather than their car for short trips. Businesses could benefit from this alternative perspective that people get when they can’t just zoom down the street to get from A to B. Having to take things a little slower isn’t always a bad thing, especially when it comes to the possibility of increased commercial and retail interactions that are a result. -Ryan


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