A trip to Paris over the Thanksgiving holiday provided some ample time to reflect on the strategies employed in urban areas to combat vehicular congestion and encourage alternative forms of transport. In 2007 the French government initiated a shared bike system which has enjoyed great success and been emulated in a number of other European cities in recent years. In contrast, the attempts made by New York City to address these issues are limited to the creation of a network of newly created bike lanes that, at various times, have been met with approval or consternation.
For some really advanced thinking in this arena one can always rely on the preeminent ideologue, Mitchell Joaquim, to provide insight into some of the most fantastic and logical solutions imaginable. He brings the future of urban planning and transport into the current fray with WIRED Magazine’s admonition that our President-elect learns a thing or two from him.
