The Two-Wheeled Revolution: How Cycling Advocacy Is Reshaping the Future of Urban Planning

The history of cities is, to some extent, the history of transportation. In the late 19th century, the invention of the bicycle gave rise to the first paved roads; in the 20th century, the proliferation of automobiles fundamentally transformed the shape of cities—wide highways carved through the urban fabric, vast parking lots replaced parks and plazas, and pedestrians and cyclists were pushed to the margins of the road. Today, a quiet but profound revolution is underway: cities around the world are increasingly rethinking the car-centric planning model, and cycling advocates are at the forefront of this transformation.

From the Margins to the Mainstream: The Evolution of Cycling Advocacy

The history of the cycling advocacy movement can be traced back to the oil crisis of the 1970s. In 1973, the Netherlands implemented a Sunday driving ban due to the oil embargo, which unexpectedly led people to rediscover the joys of cycling. At the same time, the “Stop de Kindermoord” (Stop the Child Murder) movement erupted across the Netherlands, protesting the fact that more than 400 children died in traffic accidents every year. This movement ultimately pushed the Dutch government to invest heavily in cycling infrastructure, laying the foundation for the Netherlands to become the “Kingdom of Bicycles.”

Half a century later, cycling advocacy has evolved from grassroots protest into systematic policy influence. The main strategies of modern cycling advocacy include:

Data-Driven Policy Advocacy

Modern cycling advocacy organizations no longer just shout slogans; they use rigorous data and economic analysis to persuade decision-makers. For example, the Copenhagen Cycling Federation publishes an annual “Bicycle Account” report that calculates the net benefit to society of every kilometer cycled. According to the latest data, every kilometer cycled yields a net social benefit of 0.64 Danish kroner (approximately NT$3); every kilometer driven by car incurs a net social cost of 0.71 Danish kroner. These figures encompass multiple factors, including healthcare cost savings, reduced air pollution, and lower road wear.

Tactical Urbanism

“Tactical Urbanism” is a method of testing urban renovation proposals through low-cost, rapidly implemented interventions. Cycling advocates frequently use this strategy to demonstrate the possibilities of cycling infrastructure.

New York City’s approach is a classic case. Then-Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan used paint and planters in 2009 to carve out temporary pedestrian plazas and bike lanes on Broadway, which proved enormously popular. These “temporary” installations later became permanent infrastructure, including the now-famous Times Square pedestrian zone.

Mass Movements

“Critical Mass” is the world’s most well-known cycling mass movement. Since its inception in San Francisco in 1992, it has spread to more than 300 cities globally. Once a month, hundreds or thousands of cyclists gather to ride through the city, asserting cyclists’ right to space in the urban environment by “occupying” the roadways.

A Paradigm Shift in Urban Planning

Cycling advocacy is driving several important shifts in urban planning philosophy:

The 15-Minute City

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo proposed the concept of the “15-Minute City” in 2020: within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, residents should be able to meet all their needs—work, shopping, education, healthcare, and leisure. The core of this concept is “decentralization” and “mixed-use,” reducing the need for long-distance commuting.

To realize this vision, Paris has, since 2015:

• Built over 1,000 kilometers of new bike lanes
• Converted highways along the Seine into pedestrian and cycling-only paths
• Established “child priority zones” around schools, banning car traffic
• Significantly raised parking fees in the city center and converted curbside parking spaces into bike parking and outdoor café seating

The results have been striking: cycling usage in Paris grew by 71% between 2019 and 2023, and on some stretches, bicycle traffic now exceeds car traffic.

Superblocks

Barcelona’s “Superblocks” plan is another revolutionary case of urban transformation. The Superblocks approach groups 3×3 blocks (approximately 400×400 meters) into a single superblock, where internal roads are open only to residents at very low speeds, while peripheral roads are reserved for public transit and cars.

The freed-up road space has been transformed into:

• Spacious bike lanes
• Children’s play areas
• Urban gardens
• Community activity spaces
• Green belts and rest areas

According to research by the Barcelona Public Health Agency, the Superblocks plan could prevent 667 premature deaths annually (by reducing air and noise pollution) and increase urban green space by 300 hectares.

The Lesson of Bogotá

The story of Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is particularly noteworthy because it proves that bicycle-friendly cities are not the exclusive domain of wealthy nations. In 1998, Mayor Enrique Peñalosa launched a bold urban transformation plan:

• Built 550 kilometers of dedicated bike lanes (Ciclovía)
• Closed 120 kilometers of major roads every Sunday, allowing only pedestrians and cyclists
• Restricted private car use (alternating bans based on license plate numbers)
• Invested in the public transit system (TransMilenio bus rapid transit)

Peñalosa is famous for his quote: “A developed city is not one where poor people use cars, but rather one where even the rich use public transportation and bicycles.”

Cycling Advocacy in Taiwan

Although cycling advocacy in Taiwan started later, significant progress has been made in recent years.

Policy Level

• Forward-looking Infrastructure Plan: Since 2017, the Taiwanese government has invested over NT$10 billion in bike lane construction
• YouBike System: Taipei’s YouBike has become one of the most successful public bicycle systems in the world, with over 100,000 daily uses
• Bike Lane Network: The total length of bike lanes across Taiwan has exceeded 5,000 kilometers

Grassroots Advocacy

The grassroots force behind cycling advocacy in Taiwan comes primarily from several sources:

1. Cycling Communities: Local cycling communities actively participate in route planning recommendations and cycling safety advocacy
2. Environmental Groups: Incorporating cycling commuting into the advocacy framework for carbon reduction actions
3. Urban Reform Groups: Promoting the reallocation of road space with people-centered transportation as the core demand

Challenges Facing Taiwan

Despite the progress, Taiwan’s cycling environment still faces major challenges:

1. Discontinuous Bike Lanes: Many bike lanes abruptly disappear at intersections
2. Conflict with Scooters: Taiwan’s high-density scooter traffic poses a safety threat to cyclists
3. Cycling on Sidewalks: The lack of safe lanes leads many people to ride on sidewalks
4. Recreation-Oriented Rather Than Commute-Oriented: Most bike lanes are designed for recreational riding and are unsuitable for daily commuting
5. Insufficient Parking Facilities: A lack of safe, convenient bicycle parking facilities

Strategies for Successful Cycling Advocacy

Looking at global experience, successful cycling advocacy typically includes the following elements:

Coalition Building

The most effective advocacy is not a confrontation of “cyclists vs. car drivers” but rather the building of broad coalitions. Natural allies for cycling advocacy include: public health experts, environmental groups, businesses in commercial districts (research shows cyclists shop more frequently than drivers), real estate developers (bicycle-friendly amenities can increase property values), and parent groups concerned about children’s safety.

Incremental Change

Radical change often provokes strong backlash. Successful cases typically adopt an incremental strategy—first testing with temporary installations, collecting data to prove their effectiveness, and then pushing for permanent construction. Paris’s bike lane development has proceeded in exactly this step-by-step manner.

People-Centered Narratives

The most effective advocacy messages are not “cycling is environmentally friendly” but rather “our children deserve safe routes to school” and “everyone has the right to enjoy clean air.” Shifting the focus from transportation modes to human needs garners broader support.

Conclusion

The core question of urban planning is: what kind of city do we want? A city carved up by highways, dominated by parking lots, and shrouded in exhaust fumes? Or a city where children run in the streets, where cafés have outdoor seating, and where green trees and bicycles weave through the urban landscape?

Cycling advocacy is not merely about the choice of transportation mode; it is about reimagining urban space. Every new bike lane built is a vote for a more humane city. And this vote requires the participation of every cyclist.

Related Reading

• The Cycling Utopia of the Netherlands: How the World’s Most Bike-Friendly City Was Built
• The Social Impact of Cycling: Reduced Transport Carbon Emissions in European Cities Thanks to Cycling Culture
• Bike Commuting: A Lifestyle Revolution That Changes the Rhythm of Cities
• Cycling Infrastructure in the Netherlands: The World’s Most Advanced Bike City Planning