People ride bicycles on an artwork by German artist 1010 entitled ?Stream? set on the banks of the river Seine in central Paris on June 15, 2018.  | AFP via Getty Images

The City of Light became the City of Bike, and U.S. cities should take notice For cyclists in Paris, the last few years have been nothing short of revelatory. New protected bike lanes have led to a doubling, and even tripling, of the number of riders on some busy main roads. The Champs Elysées is lined with segregated cycling lanes, and more residents of the greater Paris region cycle today than take the busiest line of the city?s Metro. Since 2016, the left bank of the Seine River has been free of motor traffic, creating a new public gathering spot where, CityMetric writes, ?cyclists mix with boozy sunbathers, tourists on electric scooters, and giggling children.? Paris?s great success in improving cycling will be one of the lasting legacies of Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who has relentlessly pushed bike infrastructure, often to the displeasure of drivers and local officials, as part of her pledge to reduce emissions and make the city a cycling capital. Hidalgo?s efforts have also set an example that U.S. cities should follow: Think big, and don?t be afraid to talk about climate change and transportation.
As the climate crisis and increased traffic congestion raise questions about land use, transit policy, and our car-first views of urban living, improved cycling access offers a potential means of a...