Bicycling culture is having a rebirth in cities across the country. Encouraged by a slew of government programs that make street riding a bit easier, a rising concern about the cost of auto emissions and the exercise factor, bikers are changing the way cities plan and think about development.

Nearly two decades ago, Long Beach opened up a ground-breaking bicycle transit center, but a biking culture never became widespread.

Could that be changing? Over the past several years, Long Beach has been ramping up its efforts to increase the number of residents biking to work and school or just riding around with family and friends on the weekend. Bike-friendly has become a buzzword in the city.

There’s “Bike Saturday” discounts at local shops and restaurants. And it has already proved to be a hot topic among mayoral candidates Doug Otto and vice mayor Robert Garcia, who both are talking about creating a day where bicyclist can take over some of the streets of Long Beach.

What do you think of these ideas? Is Long Beach doing enough to promote biking or should officials and others be focusing their attention on other topics, like improving police services? Is it a waste of our resources to build bike lanes and stations? Or is key to reducing pollution?

Other cities like New York, where a strong biking culture exists, already have a bike share system where individuals can pay a membership and then pick up a bike at stations around the city. Should Long Beach develop something similar? Is there a better way to increase bicycle use from 1 percent to 5 percent by 2020, the city’s stated goal? Is the city ahead or behind the curve?

Most importantly, does the city even have the infrastructure to handle a jump in bicyclers? In 2009 the city installed lanes that cars and bikers both use along Second Street. Total crashes have fallen in those years, but do you feel safe there?

We want to hear your ideas about bike culture in the city, officials’ efforts to promote it and what you would like to see in the future.

Post your responses on the online version of this editorial or send us your thoughts via speakout@presstelegram.com. Letters can also be submitted to the Press-Telegram, 300 Oceangate, Long Beach, CA 90844.