Around the world, millions of dollars are being invested in bike infrastructure - protected lanes, trails, and shared-use paths designed to improve safety, mobility, and quality of life.

But building the lanes is only half the job. The real question for every city planner, DOT director, and sustainability officer is:

How do we ensure people use it?

If bike infrastructure isn’t actively used, it becomes harder to justify the next round of funding to expand your network. That risks stalling your city’s long-term vision for a safe, bike-friendly, and more sustainable community.

Beyond Concrete: The Barriers to Riding

Cities often focus on the physical network, but behavioral and access barriers can keep residents from riding - even when safe bike lanes exist.

Common barriers include:

• Not knowing how to ride safely.
• Low confidence or comfort navigating traffic.
• Lack of bike ownership or access to bike share.
• Their bike needs repairs before it can be ridden.
• Not knowing safe routes through the city.
• Limited motivation or perceived inconvenience.
  
  

These challenges are as real as potholes or missing bike lanes - and unless they’re addressed, infrastructure alone won’t shift mobility patterns.

Building Psychological Infrastructure

To make bike infrastructure successful, cities must invest not only in concrete and paint, but also in programs that change behavior. This is what turns infrastructure into actual ridership gains.

Proven approaches like Love to Ride help local governments:

• Engage people who are 'interested but concerned' about taking up biking.
• Encourage people to take up riding, ride more often, and ride for transportation.
•  Educate residents on safe riding skills.
• Connect people with low-cost access to bikes.
• Build motivation through community challenges and campaigns
• Guide new riders toward the safest routes.
• Support maintenance and repair access.
  
  

These programs complement physical infrastructure, helping residents overcome personal barriers while your city demonstrates measurable increases in ridership. 

"Excited to start bicycling again! Thanks to the Love to Ride Florida Challenge I (and my coworkers) have been encouraged to start bicycling again - to/from work for those who can and also outside of work / during lunchtime.
Thank you!"
- Valerie

Why This Matters for Your City and Region

When residents use your bike infrastructure, governments see:

• Higher ROI on capital investments.
• Safer streets with fewer car trips.
• Better public health and air quality.
• Stronger justification for funding opportunities.
• A visible commitment to sustainable mobility and quality of life.

Industry Wisdom

As Randy Neufeld, a long-time bike advocate, emphasizes: “Infrastructure alone doesn’t create mode shift - you also need behavior change programs that support getting more  riding and using your bike infrastructure."

Let’s Get More People Riding

At Love to Ride, we partner with local and regional governments around the world to design cost-efficient, results-driven bike encouragement and mode shift programs that bring your infrastructure to life.

Want to increase ridership on the network you’ve built -  and secure funding for the next phase?

Let’s talk! We’d love to hear from you! hello@lovetoridde.net