Some news in today about how investing in cycling in the UK will save that country money in the longterm by reducing healthcare costs and aid in combatting climate change.

The chairman of Cycling England, Phillip Darnton, said, “There are very few activities that tackle so many of the things that the government is concerned about, from health and obesity to government and pollution. An investment of £70m is small in terms of government spending, and this study shows that it will work.”

One intriguing way that Washington, D.C. is supporting the bicycle is by forcing developers to include bike parking in their buildings. This motion puts the “required parking spots” policy on a 360.

The proposal would require that all apartment buildings with more than eight units set aside one bicycle parking space for every four residential units. Commercial landlords would have to provide enough bicycle parking to match at least 10 percent of the number of available automobile spaces.

These are the types of policy moves that cities around the Metro Vancouver region should be pushing for. Cities have a lot of power, and politicians need to start being bold and making the proper steps, for the betterment of all citizens.