(WASHINGTON, DC) – The national bicycling nonprofit Bikes Belong Foundation launched its Green Lane Project today, bringing protected bikeways to Washington, DC and five other US cities over the next two years. The initiative (www.greenlaneproject.org ) will work with Austin, Chicago, Memphis, Portland, Ore., San Francisco and Washington, DC, to support the cities’ development of world-class bicycling facility networks. Washington, DC Department of Transportation Director Terry Bellamy, along with Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez and top transportation officials from each city, introduced the program and announced initial plans at a kickoff event in Chicago.

Green lanes are dedicated, inviting spaces for people on bikes in the roadway, protected by curbs, planters, posts or parked cars. The goal of the Green Lane Project is to support the selected cities in their efforts to develop and install these kinds of facilities.

“Washington, DC, is a national showcase that serves as an excellent example for bicycling initiatives nationwide,” said Martha Roskowski, Green Lane Project director for Bikes Belong. “The city has had tremendous success with its 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue green lanes and has plans to expand that success with several other projects in the coming years.”

Bicycle volume has tripled on 15th Street, NW and Pennsylvania Avenue since protected lanes were installed on those roadways. The city is in the planning stages of new projects on L and M Streets, NW and 1st Street, NE near Union Station, among other areas.

“The District of Columbia has built a significant support system for bicycling with both new infrastructure and its wildly successful Capital Bikeshare system,” said Director Bellamy. “The bikes are being used at least 6,000 times a day by visitors and residents and the success of our existing innovative bike lanes show the demand for more. With the support of the Green Lane Project, the next few years will be exciting for bicycling in DC.”

“Green lanes benefit everyone who uses city streets, not just people on bicycles,” said Roskowski. “With these facilities, people in cars and on foot know where to expect bicycles. More people on bikes eases congestion. When people ride bikes, they are healthier, and they save money.”

Advisors to the Green Lane Project include the New York City Department of Transportation, the League of American Bicyclists and the National Association of City Transportation Officials. Funding partners include the SRAM Cycling Fund, Volkswagen of America, Inc, Interbike, Taiwan Bicycle Exporters Association and the Bikes Belong Coalition.

About Bikes Belong Foundation
The Bikes Belong Foundation (www.bikesbelong.org ), host to the Green Lane Project, focuses on improving bicycle safety and enhancing children's bike programs. It is also host to the PeopleForBikes.org campaign, working to unite a million Americans behind a pledge in support of better, safer bicycling. The Foundation is the 501(c) 3 arm of the Bikes Belong Coalition – the US bicycle industry organization dedicated to getting more people riding bikes more often. Bikes Belong Coalition works to increase federal bike funding, awards grants to support innovative bike projects, promotes bicycling and its benefits, and backs crucial national efforts such as Safe Routes to School, Bicycle Friendly Communities, and the National Bike Summit.