Gloria Ohland: Why Streetsblog Matters

I started working on transportation issues in 1995, back when advocates for transit, bikes, pedestrians and smart growth were a minority voice in the media — if we got into the media. Fast forward to 2011 and Streetsblog totally owns these issues and commandeers its own communications channel. Every time I want to call Damien and propose a story about how they’re testing the Expo Line, or the disagreements among people who are otherwise allies over the TOD parking reduction bill (AB 710), or Senator Boxer’s encouraging remarks about America Fast Forward and the transportation reauthorization, I look on Streetsblog and Damien has already posted a story!

It is testament to how right we are that advocacy subculture now speaks with so much authority and has achieved such a high profile with Streetsblog. Moreover, Streetsblog is able to stoke the advocacy fires while staying on top of the news with responsible reporting that maintains the high standards of old-school journalism but doesn’t abandon the passion that advocates bring to the table. That’s why I’ve donated to Streetsblog. And because it makes my job as an advocate easier.