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Creating bike lanes can lead to problems for a community. To make room for bikes on the roadway, the Bakersfield City Council has decided to eliminate parking spaces on Berry Avenue from 180th Street to 185th Street. Research suggests that areas without on-street parking experience economic decline. In addition, the council did not inform the people who use those spaces. Councilman Steven Barry received calls from several people in his district. Carol Lombard said, "I’m considering moving if you go through with this. I can’t enter my house through my back door, and I don’t have a driveway. It’s not fair."

Read the passage carefully. Which research question would this passage best help to answer?

User Prasannjit
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Final answer:

The passage about the impact of bike lanes and reduced parking is best suited to investigate the varied consequences of urban infrastructure changes, particularly the creation of bike lanes at the expense of on-street parking, and how this affects local communities both positively and negatively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage provided gives insight into the complexities involved when the local government makes changes to public infrastructure such as roads and parking. It introduces various perspectives from city council members, affected residents, and points to research suggesting economic impacts due to the lack of on-street parking. The passage could best help to answer a research question that considers the societal and economic effects of urban infrastructure changes, specifically:

What are the potential consequences, both positive and negative, of replacing on-street parking with dedicated bike lanes in urban communities?

This question allows for exploration into the balance of promoting sustainable transportation options, like bike lanes, against the economic health of local businesses and the lifestyle changes imposed on residents who rely on street parking.

The provided examples demonstrate similar urban planning scenarios, offering context on potential outcomes, such as increased convenience, reduction in traffic accidents, and revitalization of urban spaces, but also potential drawbacks like decreased accessibility, economic downturns, and community backlash due to a lack of inclusion in the planning process. Analyzing such a research question requires a multidisciplinary approach, touching upon economics, urban planning, and public policy.

User Michael Hodel
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