Month: March 2010

One of the great things about the passage of Measure R is that it inspired many people to dream about a Los Angeles that isn't car-dependent.  Apparently, it's inspired people outside of Los Angeles, and I mean well outside of Los Angeles, to dream a little dream as well.  Via Inhabitat:

Workers at the U.S. DOT and on transportation projects around the country are back on the job today after Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) lost his politically hazardous battle against a 30-day extension of federal infrastructure law and unemployment benefits.

As someone who is raising a child without a car in a transit-rich city, I sometimes need to be reminded that for many people in the United States, the reality of maintaining a family life without a personal motor vehicle is impractical — or simply unthinkable, for a variety of reasons. This often holds true … Continued

More headlines at Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Federal infrastructure funding and many U.S. DOT workers remain in limbo today as Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) continues his one-man filibuster of legislation extending the 2005 transport law, turning himself into a Democratic target and a poster child for Washington gridlock.

Last year, the ArtCycle event was one of the best examples of Angelenos embracing bike culture, the local art scene and their community.  Last year ArtCycle featured a series of group rides visiting local art studios, a block party in Hel-Mel, and several different film makers shooting videos including Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson who shot the "Los Angeles Streetfilm of the Year" for 2009 which can be viewed above.  This year's event will be even bigger with ArtCycle also being used to build momentum for the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council's vision of more park space for their community.

The Sharrows Pilot Project has been an ongoing campaign for LACBC, nearly five years running now, as we jumped hurdle after hurdle working to clear the pilot through the LADOT. Last year City Council President Eric Garcetti championed the issue and the idea began to take off. Now in 2010 we will finally see Los Angeles city streets catch up to other surrounding cities and start implementing sharrows to help create safer and more bike- friendly streets.

Even before the Senate environment panel pushed through a GOP protest to approve its climate change bill, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and John Kerry (D-MA) were working behind the scenes on a so-called "tripartisan" plan that can win enough votes in Congress' upper chamber to make nationwide emissions cuts a reality.

Streetsblog Network member Boston Biker has picked up the most recent Streetfilms release, Fixing the Great Mistake: Autocentric Development, and written an eloquent post about the necessity of moving away from car-centered planning.