Want a faster car commute? Support protected bike lanes.

Riding a bicycle on an American street is an exercise in frustration for everyone — rider, drivers, and pedestrians alike. Bikes move more slowly, frustrating car drivers. When they treat stop signs as yield, it triggers the righteous indignation of rule-shaming motorists. Yet if the rider were to stop completely, the same driver would become irate.

Protected bike lanes, up on the curb but separate from the sidewalk, are the best solution in high traffic areas. Bicycles become a predictable part of traffic. They get their own turn at intersections, and they’re more visible to drivers and pedestrians. Plus, protected lanes have been shown to encourage more people to ride, which means fewer cars taking short trips or circling for parking.

Image credit: Nick Falbo / Wired Magazine.