Why Bike Lanes Are Worth Fighting for and the Real Story Behind Empty-Looking Streets
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Written by Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Monserrat is an entrepreneur, interior architect, and sustainability advocate, as well as the founder of Senom Design, a firm dedicated to merging innovative design with sustainable solutions. With over a decade of experience across residential, commercial, and international projects, she specializes in bringing clients’ visions to life through thoughtful, high-impact interiors.
Have you ever driven past a bike lane and thought, "Why did they build this? Nobody uses it!" A listener's simple question on the podcast "Today, Explained", "Why is it so hard to make biking safe in LA?" opened up a much bigger conversation about how we design our cities and who they're really built for.
The "Empty" bike lane myth
Here's the thing about bike lanes that seem empty: they're probably not as empty as you think. There are three main reasons why bike lanes appear unused.
Bikes are invisible (in a good way)
Unlike cars, bikes don't take up much space, make noise, or demand attention. While you can't miss a huge SUV rumbling down the street, a quiet cyclist can easily slip by unnoticed. We're just not trained to look for them.
Most bike lanes aren't actually safe
Many bike lanes are simply painted on the road, often between parked cars and moving traffic. Would you feel safe biking there? Most people don't. The bike lanes that actually work are "protected" ones – separated from car traffic by physical barriers, such as planters, posts, or curbs.
Bike lanes to nowhere
Imagine if highways didn't connect to each other – if you had to drive on dirt roads with potholes to get from one freeway to another. That's exactly what we've done with bike lanes. Most cities have scattered, disconnected bike lanes that don't form a useful network.
Austin's mixed record
Austin markets itself as a bike-friendly city and has earned "Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community" status. But the reality is complex:
99% of people commuting to work don't bike, according to census data
Four cyclists were killed on Austin streets in 2023 – the highest since 2017
However, deaths fell to just one in 2022, and severe injuries dropped from 27 to 22
Where Austin gets it right
Austin has made significant investments in protected infrastructure:
Over 50 miles of protected bike lanes as of 2021
215 miles of All Ages and Abilities network completed, with 64% of residents living within a half-mile of safe bikeways
One study found Austin invested the most in safe cycling infrastructure out of 13 cities studied
The demand is there
More than 55% of Austin residents would bike if protected lanes were available, according to a 2013 city survey. The issue isn't lack of interest – it's about feeling safe.
The numbers don't lie
When cities build good bike infrastructure, amazing things happen:
Safety improves for everyone
In New York City, injury rates for all road users dropped by 40-50% in areas with protected bike lanes.
Streets with protected bike lanes experienced 28% fewer injuries per mile compared to similar streets.
Local businesses thrive
In Salt Lake City, stores along a new protected bike lane saw sales increase by 8.8%
(compared to 7% citywide).
The Cost Factor Austin's experience shows protected bike lanes don't break the bank:
Basic protected lanes with flexible posts: $30,000 to $50,000 per mile.
Premium concrete separation: $500,000-$5 million per mile.
Austin builds 10-15 miles of bike paths annually, comparable to other bike-friendly American cities.
What actually works
Cities like Austin that are successfully increasing biking follow a simple formula:
Build networks, not isolated lanes. Austin has completed over 215 miles of connected routes.
Prioritize protection. Physical barriers that separate bikes from cars.
Think about the whole community. Infrastructure that serves families, not just fearless cyclists.
The bottom line
The "fight" over bike lanes isn't really about bikes versus cars. It's about building cities that work for everyone. When we create safe, connected bike networks, we get safer streets, stronger local economies, more transportation options, and less traffic congestion.
The next time you see a bike lane that looks "empty," remember: it might not be empty at all. And even if it is, it might just be waiting for the missing pieces, the connections, protection, and network that would make it truly useful.
After all, we didn't build just one highway and call it a day. We built a whole system. Maybe it's time to do the same for bikes.
Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Monserrat is an entrepreneur, interior architect, and sustainability advocate, as well as the founder of Senom Design, a firm dedicated to merging innovative design with sustainable solutions. With over a decade of experience across residential, commercial, and international projects, she specializes in bringing clients’ visions to life through thoughtful, high-impact interiors.
She is the U.S. Brand Ambassador for U Green, an organization that helps companies become more profitable while empowering people and brands to follow a consistent path toward sustainability through transformative education and specialized consulting. As an Executive Contributor to Brainz Magazine, she shares her expertise in design, sustainability, and innovation. Her mission is to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also responsible and forward-thinking.
