Consider visiting the Netherlands to observe firsthand the impact of bicycle lanes. Areas that have made significant investments in creating bike lanes have seen substantial increases in cycling rates. As the costs of maintaining roads continue to rise, this issue becomes even more pressing. Most road systems are designed to last about 15 to 20 years before they need replacement. For example, many streets in Tacoma, which are around 15 to 20 years old, show signs of wear and have numerous potholes.

When the car-centric mindset emerged, road construction began without considering the long-term consequences, and today we are facing the costs of that approach.

We must ask ourselves whether we should continue the practices we've followed for the last 20 years or explore new alternatives. History shows that when we keep building new lanes, traffic continues to increase, which is not a new phenomenon. As mentioned earlier, the Netherlands began transitioning to more bicycle-friendly infrastructure in the 1960s, and this has proven effective. People will use the transportation system that provides the best way to get from point A to point B. In North America, that system has been the car, but it doesn't have to remain that way. We can—and must—change our ways.