Most Amsterdammers favor bicycles over cars

Tomorrow UPPSA members will meet up with students from the University of Amsterdam to tour some eco-initiatives within Chicago. Amsterdam is known for its progressive politics as well as its innovative environmental initiatives, and while Chicago is known as a "green" city, we don't quite match up with Amsterdam's eco-muscle. But how well does our beloved Portland, Oregon stack up?

In Amsterdam, the bicycle is the favored mode of transportation, even over cars. The Oregonian reports that "between 2005 and 2007 people in the city used their bikes on average 0.87 times a day, compared to 0.84 for their cars. This is the first time that bicycle use exceeds car use."

Compare Amsterdam to Portland, one of three U.S. cities to achieve the League of American Bicyclists's Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community Award, and Amsterdam still seems to win by a longshot. The Oregonian notes that in Portland, "only 8 percent of respondents in a recent transportation audit said [bike] was their primary mode of transportation..." and "nearly 40 percent of Amsterdam residents use their bicycles as their primary mode."

By the way, what about Chicagoland? CMAP's Travel Tracker Survey, conducted in 2007, estimates that bikes made up 1.6% of all trips taken in Cook County. While this share is sure to be greater in denser neighborhoods, it is unlikely to reach 8 percent, let alone 40.

{The Oregonian via Planetizen}