In Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning

ii Bicycling is a form of transportation that has many environmental, health, economic, and social benefits. So why is this form of sustainable transport not more fully utilized? This thesis proposes that in many communities, economic conditions, cultural and class stereotypes and political factors influence the mode of transportation, but that these can be overcome with the implementation of bicycle-friendly policies and safe bicycling infrastructure. This thesis seeks to formulate an explanation for the difficulties the author experienced in planning bicycle infrastructure while interning for Bicicleteros del Tropico de Cancer in San Luis Potosí, Mexico during the summer of 2004. It also attempts to identify why some communities have been successful at developing bicycle-friendly infrastructure while others have failed. The aim of this thesis is also to analyze the current situation in San Luis Potosí that is experiencing rapid urbanization, congestion, air quality problems, and increasing incidents of fatal accidents involving cyclists and motorists. In addition, this thesis attempts to develop feasible policy prescriptions to mitigate the multi-faceted problem