Long version : This is a dumb thing to make our “Next Big Infrastructure Project” as its like asking if “rubber band-based propulsion” will be the best goal in making our “Next Big NASA Project.”
There are many reasons as to why, but basically the reasons “bike lanes” would be an inadequate, poorly received, half-assed, politically divisive project boils down primarily to U.S. existing city structure and a lack of planning of the cities around biking in the way that many other countries with embarrassingly far more robust public transportation systems have had for decades now. NotJustBikes explains it best.
A MUCH better (but far less likely to happen as it would require taxing billionaires a lot more to pay for it) plan would be 2 things specifically :
MASSIVELY increase the budget for public transportation and regulate it much more strongly. Things like requiring all public transportation providers to need to actually hire the number of people needed to do a job - like adequate numbers of janitorial and maintenance staff, make facilities safe and provide proper tools for the jobs, and not pay dog-shit wages.
Constantly available high speed bullet trains traveling between all major cities, lower-speed smaller trains running between all smaller city hub locations, and finally small local trolley / light people mover type trains to transport people between areas throughout towns.
And honestly, as much as I want them to, the rich assholes own both parties, so neither of those plans seem like they’ll ever happen, and even number 2 wouldn’t work without MASSIVE upheaval in city planning in the US wherein zoning prevents you from even being within a 5 mile radius of things like grocery stores.
Bikes often solve or supplement the last mile problem with connections to transit. Proper bike lanes would be a massive boon to the reach of new and existing public transport.
To say nothing about the large amount of zoning reform and organizing happening in every major city in the US. NY’s plan for example doesn’t just come out of nowhere.
Short version : No.
Long version : This is a dumb thing to make our “Next Big Infrastructure Project” as its like asking if “rubber band-based propulsion” will be the best goal in making our “Next Big NASA Project.”
There are many reasons as to why, but basically the reasons “bike lanes” would be an inadequate, poorly received, half-assed, politically divisive project boils down primarily to U.S. existing city structure and a lack of planning of the cities around biking in the way that many other countries with embarrassingly far more robust public transportation systems have had for decades now. NotJustBikes explains it best.
A MUCH better (but far less likely to happen as it would require taxing billionaires a lot more to pay for it) plan would be 2 things specifically :
And honestly, as much as I want them to, the rich assholes own both parties, so neither of those plans seem like they’ll ever happen, and even number 2 wouldn’t work without MASSIVE upheaval in city planning in the US wherein zoning prevents you from even being within a 5 mile radius of things like grocery stores.
Bikes often solve or supplement the last mile problem with connections to transit. Proper bike lanes would be a massive boon to the reach of new and existing public transport.
The Biden admin is also looking at federally improving zoning. https://www.usich.gov/news/white-house-announces-new-actions-to-lower-housing-costs-and-boost-supply
To say nothing about the large amount of zoning reform and organizing happening in every major city in the US. NY’s plan for example doesn’t just come out of nowhere.