I have been riding daily near a large road construction site. Inter alia, three bridges are being widened along the road’s causeway.
My thought is that an induced-demand relationship does indeed exist among the road, the number of lanes and the amount of automobiles driving on the road at any point in time.
In a word, the more we widen and add lanes, the more new to the area cars come and eventually as a result the increased demand will require ever more widening and lane adding.
Among other places, this has proven correct in Houston with the Katy expansion (see photo above) there in the 2010s.
Advocating for less growth in road transportation for cars and more growth, including credits and discounts for AT modes and infrastructure for the growing number of active transportation users, is far better for our civil society and planet Earth.
As some may know, riding a bicycle is also practicing and advocating for increased active transportation usage and infrastructure.
Last Tuesday I rode my special setup out to a private appointment.
Before I went, I swapped in a pannier for a Burley trailer. I loaded a hoodie for the informal appointment, baseball cap, iPhone and keys.
It’s great to ride not only without the wind-catching Burley but also to have a load in the pannier and a free and healthy back.
Studies have shown that heavy backpacks or messenger bags or any heavy load strapped to the back can cause significant, long-term harm to your back, shoulders and neck.