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troutman · 03-11-2014, 04:03 PM

This must be what I read (considering the source was an Op/Ed in the Sun- I will have to weigh it more carefully):

Going flat out — Portland and Vancouver spent loads on bike lanes … for very little gain

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/03/09...ry-little-gain

According to bikeportland.org, cycling’s most admired city has finally hit the brakes on spending, having slashed the budget for neighbourhood greenway bike lanes, a priority of that 2010 cycle strategy.

After two decades of free-wheeling finances, it seems even Portland has realized there’s only so much spending you can do for a fixed minority of commuters — and with the Oregon city in the midst of a financial rough patch, infrastructure that benefits only 6% of citizens was first to go.

What both cities found is that the initial investment in bike infrastructure does attract new riders, but the point of diminishing return is quickly reached — and according to an 2013 City of Calgary report, Calgary is already approaching 4.7%, as measured on a May weekday.

When vaunted Portland can only attract 6% of commuters to cycling after building the best bike network in North America, can Calgary really do better?

03-11-2014, 04:03 PM	#31
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	This must be what I read (considering the source was an Op/Ed in the Sun- I will have to weigh it more carefully): Going flat out — Portland and Vancouver spent loads on bike lanes … for very little gain http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/03/09...ry-little-gain According to bikeportland.org, cycling’s most admired city has finally hit the brakes on spending, having slashed the budget for neighbourhood greenway bike lanes, a priority of that 2010 cycle strategy. After two decades of free-wheeling finances, it seems even Portland has realized there’s only so much spending you can do for a fixed minority of commuters — and with the Oregon city in the midst of a financial rough patch, infrastructure that benefits only 6% of citizens was first to go. What both cities found is that the initial investment in bike infrastructure does attract new riders, but the point of diminishing return is quickly reached — and according to an 2013 City of Calgary report, Calgary is already approaching 4.7%, as measured on a May weekday. When vaunted Portland can only attract 6% of commuters to cycling after building the best bike network in North America, can Calgary really do better? Last edited by troutman; 03-11-2014 at 04:11 PM.