Effectiveness of bike lanes

This need exploded in May 2020 during the pandemic. Public transport was reduced by half and in order to guarantee the mobility of citizens, the city decided to build temporary bike lanes. What was supposed to be temporary last year, has lastly become permanent. This news bike lanes have caused (sparked, brought) the anger of the shopkeepers because these temporary lanes are along the most important commercial streets of the city and, according to them, this could have a negative impact on their activity. More bike lanes means less space for cars and less cars means less customers. There are more arguments about this and the battle between pro and cons has begun.
The against argue that cycle lanes could:

1) increase traffic jam;
2) reduce car parking;
3) be costly and unnecessary in some areas of the city;
4) be used only by a minority of people.

On the other hand, let us see the real situation:

1) everybody wants to ride a bike because it allows you to move fast;
2) riding is healthy and you do not need a specific area to park it;
3) bike lanes could improve safety for bikers;
4) it makes the use of cars less attractive;
5) better air quality;
6) less pollution;
7) It could be good for tourists who want to explore the city.

The urban development of Milan shows that every street that became pedestrianised, was a success. 30 years ago, it was common to park your car around the Duomo, now it is a pedestrian zone jealously protected by the citizens. Compared to the trend of other cities, we can say that Milan is behind other European cities in terms of bike lane kms per capita.

Another piece of information that should help us understand that this is the right way: bikes in shops are sold out! There is a waiting list until March 2022 because people know that this is the best way to move through the city.

I’d like to invite every reader to consider new perspectives. Even if the current system works, it is important to start a discussion that includes new scenarios that have not already been mentioned. We can take inspiration from other cities in Europe that have an eco-friendly public transport system with the purpose of achieving better solutions rapidly.

Let’s conclude with a quote by George Bernard Shaw: “Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”.