Originally Posted by
Pop N Wood
This was exactly the point I was trying to make. Europe's population densities are greater than the majority of the US. Even a 10 mile commute is beyond what one can expect anything other than a hardcore cyclist to do everyday. It is going to take more than a few feel-good laws and bike lanes to radically increase the number of bike commuters in the US. It will almost require a lifestyle change, moving people closer to where they work.
it will be interesting to see what the end of corona virus restrictions do to auto traffic in Europe. It could increase considerably. That would be bad for bicycle infrastructure.
Build it, and they will ride. Studies in Europe show that people with ebikes do longer commutes, much longer.
The burbs are going to die, for the most part. We need to make cities liveable, and that would be a good place to start.
The trend in cycling infrastructure in Europe is separated paths. Only a small percentage of people will ride in traffic (even with painted bike lanes), but most will ride (at least occasionally) if it's clearly safe. And the Netherlands showed the world how to do it. If you've seen pics of the Netherlands, the number of people riding is astonishing.