The Economist calls Portland, OR “the new model”…

… but also wonders how replicable a model it is. Here’s the article.

Credit: AP via the Economist

Naturally in an article about Portland, biking gets a prominent mention:

The environment is also the main theme of public policy. The biggest force in local politics is not a party (Democrats in effect rule without opposition) but cyclists. The bike lanes are impressive and getting even better now as streets get “bioswales”, patches of turf and shrub that capture and filter storm water and simultaneously calm traffic and separate pedestrians and cyclists from the Priuses. Those who can’t bike are encouraged to use public transport, which is free downtown.