Why cyclists aren’t the only ones who benefit from bike lanes

If you thought bike lanes are just for people looking to cruise around a city on two wheels, you’re wrong, according to a former New York transportation commissioner.

Janette Sadik-Khan told KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross that, based on what she saw in New York, bike lanes can benefit everyone.

“While it was a difficult transition at times, by the end of the Bloomberg administration, the majority of New Yorkers saw a big difference,” Sadik-Khan said.

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That big difference Sadik-Khan is talking about is safer streets for pedestrians and even an increase in retail sales for businesses near protected bike lanes &#8211 she said sales increased as much as 50 percent.

But could bike lanes ever work as well in Seattle like they do in New York City? Even before the Seattle City Council approved the $1.4-million purchase of the city’s bike-share program Pronto!, some criticized just how much of a benefit it could be. People took a total of 142,832 trips on Pronto! bikes during its first year. Each of the 50 stations made about $30 per day.

Dave Ross told Sadik-Khan that the perception is that cycling is for young urban professionals who “desire to have hard bodies.” Plus, the city has some incredibly steep hills, KIRO Radio’s Colleen O’Brien pointed out.

Sadik-Khan argues that each city is different, but if the city can tailor the program to meet local needs it can work.

But it’s difficult to forget the subsidy to save the program, Dave said.

“Every form of transportation is subsidized,” Sadik-Khan said, adding that since New York added more protected bike lanes, the streets are safer than they’ve been since the city began keeping records about 100 years ago.

Sadik-Khan is in Seattle Monday to discuss what she learned in New York and what a pedestrian-friendly city should look like.