I've written a number of times about the efforts European cities are making to encourage bicycling. Finally, there's some good news from USA Today about the efforts of four U.S. cities:

Boston — is identifying the best roads for bicycling in a mapping project that cyclists eventually may be able to access online. It also plans to add 250 bike racks by next fall and this month will hold a summit of cycling experts to determine a long-term bike strategy.

New York – for the first time is creating a special lane, modeled on those used in European cities such as Copenhagen, Denmark, that will separate bicyclists from motorists. The Ninth Avenue bike lane in Manhattan is being built between a sidewalk and a lane for parked cars.

Chicago – is striving by 2015 to have 5% of all trips shorter than 5 miles to be taken by bicycle. Mayor Richard Daley also is considering launching a bike program he saw in Paris. That effort, begun in July, allows residents and visitors to check out a bike at one location, ride free during the first half-hour and park the bike at another location near their destination.

San Francisco – Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose city is considered one of the friendliest to cyclists by the League of American Bicyclists, says he wants at least 10% of all trips in the city within three years to be made by bicycle.

Is it any wonder that three of these cities are among the top-10 "Greenest" Cities in the U.S., according to a recent Yahoo! Real Estate posting?

Carbon Neutral Journal's choices are brought to you by Jorgensen Associates.

Popularity: 1%