Though the globally car use is still increasing, many individual cities have taken positive steps to reverse the trend. In doing so they have improved mobility and quality of life for their residents, and inspired us all.

Curitiba (Brazil) pop. 1,600,000. The city that invented bus rapid transit, and since 1965 has been a model for sustainable and livable urban development.

Bogota (Colombia). Thanks to mayor Enrique Penalosa, Bogota (pop. 7,000,000) now enjoys a world-class bus rapid transit system, an extensive network of cycleways, and carfree Sundays. All improvements made at a fraction of the cost that had previously been planned for useless new roads and highways.

Groningen (Netherlands). This city was divided into four quarters, cars are prevented from crossing between each quarter. Whilst they could drive out of the city and back in, few bother as it was is faster to walk cycle or catch public transport.

Houten (Netherlands). A city of 50,000 people and no traffic fatalities....ever. Cars can not travel directly between any residential areas, they must go out to a ring road and back in. In the few places where a bicycle lane crosses a road, bikes have right of way at all times.

Copenhagen (Denmark) For forty years central Copenhagen has been systematically riding its self of cars. Initially pedestrianising the main street, then slowly building a network of pedestrian only areas, and areas where cars must give way to all other road users. More than 600 carparks were eliminated and the space converted to public squares.

Resources and movies
Thanks to the wonders of the internet, now we can view movies of genuine bike friendly cities, with real bike lanes, without even flying to Europe or China! This section of the website is compulsory viewing for politicians and town planners.

Groningen, Netherlands
Cycling in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Copenhagen, city of cyclists (part 1), Part 2
People oriented cities: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Houten, Bogata
Safe Routes to School. Kloosterveen, Netherlands
Carfree Sundays, Bogata
A bicycle story (From a combination of northern European cities)
Greenwave traffic light system Odense, Denmark
Seoul bus transport reform
Cycling and public transit in Portland, Oregon