Day: June 26, 2009

The D.C. Metro accident that killed nine riders this week has renewed calls for rail safety upgrades and reminders that car travel remains far riskier than transit. But the crash is also shedding light on a problem that goes beyond Washington: tax shelter deals between banks and struggling transit agencies -- deals that were given a retroactive pass by Congress even though the IRS considers them illegal. 

Public Radio station KPCC, 89.3 on your radio dial, is looking for stories about car-free living and the fiscal impact of owning and riding a bike instead of driving a car. I've heard some people worry that Streetsblog and similar websites end up becoming an echo-chamber for like minded people; well here's a chance to tell your story to a larger group of people.

Kate Sheppard from Grist is Tweeting the heck out of the climate bill debate on the floor of the House of Representatives today. Barbara Boxer, who is working on the Senate version of this bill, yesterday reminded sustainable transport advocates that this is probably going to be their only chance in the next 18 months to get something done in Congress.

This upcoming weekend is a big one for bike culture in Los Angeles County.  While our famed DIY culture is already kicking into high gear today, a Friday that features the LACBC's Car-Free Fridays and two Critical Masses; this time the highlights are from a pair of official events.  Tomorrow morning, the City of Long Beach unveils green-colored shared lanes marked with a Sharrow on Second Street.  Across the county, the Eastside Bicycle Club celebrates their one-year anniversary with a ride and party sponsored by the Los Angeles Parks Department.

It’s the largest transit system in the United States, moving millions of people daily throughout New York City and beyond and serving as the lifeblood of one of the largest economies in the world. Unfortunately, writes Streetsblog Network member Benjamin Kabak on Second Avenue Sagas, those who depend on the MTA — and those whom … Continued

One Story You Won’t See in Today’s Paper: 97 Dead in Car Wrecks (Yglesias) White House Thrilled about 405 Widenining (LAist) LA Now Thrilled with Sawtelle Blvd. Widening LA Breaks Ground on Canoga Extension (Transport Politic) New Bike Lockers for the Orange Line (ensie/Flickr) Downtown is Different on a Bike (LA Downtown News) Use it … Continued