Originally Posted by
Sundance89
Louisville is the "current" best model for what can be possible for urban cycling, and what made it possible was a bold vision by their mayor, Jerry Abramson.
The Louisville cycling community didn't happen by accident. It was made in large part from a conscious decision by a leader in government which influenced infrastructure, and then by the citizens buying in to that vision. This is just excellent and I'm surprised Louisville doesn't get more attention nationwide for the process in how it got there. Once it reaches the point where the citizens began to reap the benefits and proudly identify cycling as part of their city offerings, it takes on a life force of its own. This is the new Portland and it keeps getting better. Congrats.
(Soon to be ex-) Mayor Abramson did push for cycling facilities, but most of those would benefit recreation cyclists over commuters. Many of the bike lanes are substandard, some of which can be blamed on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet rather than the city.
The city did create
Bike Louisville to help educate which is a big improvement.
We also have a couple of non-profits pushing for transportation improvements:
CART KY
Bicycling for Louisville
We still have a way to go. We need to educate those riding with no lights at night. A man died last week while riding on a busy arterial with no lights. We need to educate drivers that bikes are allowed in the road. I still get yelled at to get on the sidewalk occasionally. I had a stack of magazines thrown at me from a passing car yesterday. It's not Portland, yet.
