Brave New Nonmotorized World

Highway congestion, volatile fuel prices, and concerns about the environment are leading some planners to consider a transportation future that emphasizes nonmotorized forms of transport such as walking and bicycling. This article provides some ideas on how nonmotorized transportation can be and has been embraced by cities. Several state and local transportation agencies have endorsed a concept known as "complete streets." Complete streets incorporate a sidewalk on every block, bike lanes on many streets and design features that ensure the safety of all travelers. Since Europeans have long been more willing to make trips by bicycle, U.S. planners can look toward cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen for innovative ways to encourage bike riding. Public bicycle-sharing systems have been instituted in many cities to allow riders to rent bikes at little cost for short trips around the city. Human-powered vehicles, wider bike trails, and bike expressways are also innovative ideas that may see growth in the future. Pedestrian-only streets, another concept common in Europe but rare in the U.S., could also be used to encourage walking over driving.