There is a solution though. The problem lies with how we view our streets. Before the dawn of the automobile, streets were crowded with people. streetcars, horses, etc. The modern view of streets is that they are only for cars and that other modes of transportation just get in the way. But what would be the advantage to allowing other modes of transportation on streets? Well, hopefully you will get extra capacity and will give people cheaper options to get to where they need to go. Making this city cheaper to live in is a great goal to shoot for.
So how can this be acheived? I suggest that on major thoroughfares we dedicate one lane as an HOV lane. In addition, we should make the lanes slightly smaller so that we can fit a bike lane. The HOV lane would be for cars that are carrying a certain number of people and buses. It is easy to see how this will improve the capacity of the corridor. The bike lane will give people other options for getting to work so as to lessen the amount of cars on the street. These are the main benefits of these bike/bus lanes. However, by fitting in a bike lane, there will be another added benefit called traffic calming. Because the lanes are smaller, cars will go slower and so streets will be friendlier to pedestrians. This plan will improve transportation for drivers, for bikers, for bus riders, and for walkers. The best part of this plan is that there is not much cost associated with it. Just repaint the streets and put up some signs. This is something that can be done very easily and will immediately bring benefits to this city.
What is there not to like about this plan? There would be less cars on the road so the fact that they will move a little slower really does not matter. Commute times by car really should stay the same. For people who use other forms of transportation, however, they would see a much less strenuous commute.
