From TIME · Evan Friss · · 2m
The Politicization of 'DEI' Bike Lanes
How a simple piece of infrastructure became a flashpoint in America's culture wars.
In brief
How a simple piece of infrastructure became a flashpoint in America's culture wars. Bike lanes work to make cycling safer for everyone, regardless of race or income, but have become a political symbol rather than practical infrastructure. Originally reported by TIME.
Strange bedfellows oppose bike lanes
Trump and a Black church pastor in DC both oppose bike lanes outside their windows. Anti-bike lane sentiment crosses racial and political lines.
Are bike lanes white or DEI
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called them "DEI bike lanes." But bike advocacy has historically been dominated by white advocates in white neighborhoods.
Bicycles promised equality in the 1890s
The 1900 census said few articles "created so great a revolution in social condition as the bicycle." It was supposed to democratize mobility.
“It is safe to say that few articles ever used by man have created so great a revolution in social condition as the bicycle.”
Cyclists rejected bike lanes first
When bike lanes were proposed as a solution to reckless "scorchers," serious cyclists opposed them. They wanted to be treated as vehicles with road rights.
Cycling remains overwhelmingly white and male
Women make only 30% of bike trips. Just 0.6% of white people bike to work compared to 0.3% of Black people. Bikeshare programs skew white, male, and affluent.
Exercise became a luxury good
People earning over $200,000 bike to work as often as those making $50,000 to $75,000. Many cyclists are choosing to bike when they have other options.
Protected bike lanes actually work
The main reason people don't bike is feeling unsafe. Protected bike lanes that are physically separated make cycling safer for everyone.
Cars are the real problem in DC
The DC area has 6.5 million people in a city not built for them or their cars. Bicycles are slim, efficient, and much less likely to kill than SUVs.
Bikes are as American as apple pie
Bicycles give kids their first taste of freedom. They don't need gas or licenses, and the government doesn't even know if you own one.
“What could be more American?”
What matters most
Bike lanes work to make cycling safer for everyone, regardless of race or income, but have become a political symbol rather than practical infrastructure.
