In the city of Guadalajara, Mexico, sustainable mobility is making strides. The city has been implementing more shared bikes, safer bike lanes, and improved pedestrian pathways alongside a new bus rapid transit (BRT) line. But another key component of the area’s transformation is lesser known: better parking management and parking reform. Our streets are critical for facilitating walking, cycling, and public transport, in addition to private vehicles. But in too many cities, parking has become the primary use of most street space. Unlike other aspects of transport, which require government infrastructure and support, parking often flourishes in the absence of public intervention. Parked cars are overtaking curb space, bike lanes, crosswalks, and footpaths, making it harder and less safe for everyone to move around. In many cities, a lack of clear rules, education, and enforcement leads to parking behaviors that are making our streets hostile for everyone. It is time to rethink our cities’ relationship with parking.
The post Reforming Parking Doesn’t Require Cities to Reinvent the Wheel first appeared on Institute for Transportation and Development Policy.
