Cities across the U.S. are reimagining transportation infrastructure, recognizing that bike and walking trails are more than just recreational amenities—they’re vital components of an efficient and equitable transit system.

Urban View: In a recent piece for Go Erie, Patrick Starr, executive vice president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council,  shines a light on Pennsylvania’s trail system, which he feels isn’t just for recreation, but a lifeline for safer, more accessible urban travel.

• Funding gap: Only 1% of federal transportation funding is allocated to walking and biking projects. Despite this, Pennsylvania is tapping into the Carbon Reduction Program to expand its trail network.
• Data shows millions of commuters are using these trails to bike to work, easing rush-hour congestion.
• Starr argues that trails need to be part of long-term transportation strategies, seen as essential infrastructure, not just for weekend fun.

Many cities in Pennsylvania lack pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Trails fill this gap, offering a secure space for walking and biking, both for leisure and daily commutes. The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) has enabled Pennsylvania to secure $120 million for the Circuit Trails network in the Philadelphia area, an unprecedented move nationally.

Trails and bike-share systems are starting to be repositioned as “need-to-have” infrastructure, crucial for reducing carbon emissions and improving urban mobility.

Bike Sharing in the City 

In a significant development, Bicycle Transit Systems is set to acquire BCycle from Trek, aiming to become the largest bike-share provider in the U.S. in terms of cities served.

• The acquisition will expand Bicycle Transit’s operations to 10 additional cities and equipment deals in 15 more.
• This move positions the company as a formidable competitor to industry giant Lyft, offering cities a potentially more cost-effective bike-share option.

Alison Cohen, founder of Bicycle Transit Systems, told StreetsBlog, “By taking out some of those internal profit centers, we’re able to be more flexible about how we’re providing product and what pricing we can provide to cities.”

With fewer middlemen, Bicycle Transit’s model could reduce costs for cities, making bike-share systems more sustainable in the long term.