C R E AT I N G A B I C Y C L E F R I E N D LY A M E R I C A
LAREDO, TX DRAWS UP A BLUEPRINT FOR BETTER BICYCLING B Y R E G I NA P O RT I L L O, A L A R E D O B I K E A DV O CAT E
The border city of Laredo, Texas has seen notable strides in its bicycle infrastructure, facilities, and programs over the past couple of years, and advocacy has been a major catalyst.
If you just looked at the data on biking in Texas, you wouldn’t see the diverse experiences and increasing opportunities for bicycling that advocates across the state are creating. In Laredo, Texas, where federal data says just 0.2% of all commuters go by bike, it’s the dedication of individuals and collaborative institutions who together are building a more equitable transportation system to meet the needs of everyone. During the city’s comprehensive plan update three years ago, a riveting data point was shared with the public: Laredo’s low-income
population spends one third of their income on transportation costs—twice as much as the national average. At the same time, Laredo consistently ranked as one of the unhealthiest cities in the U.S., with staggering obesity and diabetes rates. Throughout public meetings on Viva Laredo, the comprehensive plan update, the community continuously expressed a desire to see more complete streets that were equitable for walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation. The community saw that creating a bicycle friendly culture would not only be helpful for their health but also for household economics. Since May 2017, Laredo city officials and staff have actively collaborated with the local advocacy group, Bike Laredo, to advance alternate methods of transportation for all, especially those who may not have access to cars. Bike Laredo was formed under the Mayor’s Wellness Council as a result of the comprehensive plan update, and is a platform where local representatives from public, private and academic sectors meet at least once a month. Continued on Page 11 >>
Laredo has a number of “invisible” commuters whose experience is often left out of conversations about transportation. Photo: Bike Laredo