Amsterdam needed to repair an iconic and important bridge crossing, called “Berlagebrug.” As part of that, the city installed a temporary bridge adjacent to it just for people walking, rolling, and biking. Reconstruction of the bridge had some side benefits: quiet streets and lower car traffic in the area. But the history of the bridge and area is a complex one and wasn’t also so welcoming to people biking. Even though things have more or less gone “back to normal,” Amsterdam did make some additive improvements for people walking, rolling, and biking — things American transportation engineers could take cues from.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.