Explain It to Me Let's fight over bike lanes
7 snips
Jun 15, 2025 
Miles Bryan, a producer with Today Explained and Explain It to Me, dives into the turbulent world of bike lanes across America. He discusses the rich history of biking advocacy and the dramatic increase in federal funding for cycling infrastructure. The conversation highlights successes in Washington, D.C. versus the ongoing struggles in car-centric Los Angeles. Miles shares personal anecdotes about biking and the importance of community coalitions, painting a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs in making cities more bike-friendly.
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Single DOT Advantage in DC
- DC benefits from having one Department of Transportation, unlike cities split between city and state DOTs.
- This unity helps DC implement bike infrastructure without state-level car traffic resistance.
Bike Advocates Should Seek Office
- Bike advocates should run for office to overcome local political barriers blocking bike lanes.
- Gaining political power locally can transform opposition into support for bike infrastructure.
Bike Lanes and Neighborhood Control
- Bike lane fights often reflect deeper tensions about neighborhood control and gentrification.
- Opposition to bike lanes can signal struggles over who shapes neighborhood growth and culture.