Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In

Can a bike-sharing program transform a city? To mark the second anniversary of the Vélib system in Paris, Streetsblog Network member World Streets has a post arguing that it can, if it's done on a sufficient scale:

velib_station2.jpgOne of the complaints currently being voiced in the UK pressaboutthe new public bike start-up in the city of Bristol is that it is toosmall, insufficiently visible and generally hard to get at -- and thatit thus fails to achieve the level of massive use that is necessary ifwhat you want is a city transformation project. Is that what your public bicycle project is supposed to do? Transform your city?Itcan, you know. Not all by itself, of course. But if you put it togetherwith a carefully thought-out integrated package of new mobilitymeasures, you can create a powerful component of the transformationalprocess.

The World Streets post includes several links to videos about Vélib, including one from the PBS e2 series on transport that aired last fall (and one from Streetfilms). Good food for thought as New York and other cities in the US and around the world study and implement their own programs.

Another post that caught our eye on the network this morning was Copenhagenize's proposal for a "Driving Kills" PSA campaign. It wouldn't just focus on the toll of crashes, either:

driving_kills_audi_emissions.pngIn Denmark, 4000 people die every year because of the health hazards related to cars-- and that's ten times greater than the number of people actuallykilled in car accidents. Respiratory illnesses, heart disease,stress-related illnesses caused by noise pollution, etc.

Very few people are aware that the levels of dangerous microparticles from exhaust are actually higher INSIDE the car than if you're cycling next to it. So let's focus on this fact and hopefully encourage motorists to think twice about their actions.

Shouldn'twe have rules dictating that all advertisments for automobiles musthave clearly visible warning labels? There are a variety of smokingtexts that can be applied to the car health warnings.

Also, Biker Chicks of West Chester has a rant about the way bike shops treat older women -- don't they want more people on bikes? And WashCycle challenges men to help fight the harassment women sometimes face when they go out for a ride.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Kevin de León, Agent of Council Chaos, Quietly Exits Stage Left

Disgraced Councilmember Kevin de León finally bows out, two years after his racist scandal roiled the city. Newcomer Ysabel Jurado, who handily defeated him in November, takes the reins of Council District 14 today.

December 10, 2024

SGV Connect Podcast: Leave Us Your Questions for an AMA with Foothill Transit’s Felicia Friesema

For our last podcast of the calendar year, SGV Connect is excited to announce an “Ask Me Anything” episode with Felicia Friesema the Director of Marketing and Communications for Foothill Transit.

December 10, 2024

La Verne Pedestrian Bridge Will Connect Metro A Line, Metrolink, and Fairplex

Officials from La Verne and the SGVCOG are excited about the bridge’s “elegant” design and connectivity for transit oriented development.

December 10, 2024

This Week In Livable Streets

Glendale Brand Boulevard project, L.A. Capital Plan, Metro Vermont Transit Corridor, and more

December 9, 2024
See all posts