Month: June 2010
Streetsblog LA
High Speed Rail Supporters State Their Case at Union Station and Beyond
Flanked by City Council Members from Santa Monica and Los Angeles, as well as dozens of people waving signs proclaiming "fast trains are cool," CalPirg Transportation Advocate Erin Steva rallied supporters in front of Union Station for increased funding of the state's planned High Speed Rail Network. While some "fast train" advocates were questioning the federal commitment to investing in this infrastructure, the federal government is only spending $2.3 billion on High Speed Rail in the next year instead of $4 billion that it promised, yesterday's rally was upbeat.
June 30, 2010
HUD Chief Preaches Livable Communities at Conference on Cities
At least among cabinet secretaries, US DOT chief Ray LaHood has become something of a livable streets rock star. His forceful and public support for cyclists and pedestrians and his dedication to safe driving have earned him the praise of many. By comparison, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan hasn’t made quite the same splash in green transportation circles.
June 30, 2010
Lessons from Mexico City: Ciclovia
When I woke up on Sunday Morning here in Mexico City and looked out my window down at the giant Reforma Blvd., it was full of hundreds of cyclists. Without knowing it, I had stumbled into one of Mexico City's weekly Ciclovia events where miles of major Boulevards are closed off to automobile traffic and instead taken over by cyclists, rollerskaters, walkers, soccer players, dogs, children and many more.
June 30, 2010
Today’s Headlines
Meeting on streetscaping for the Crenshaw Corridor, tonight! Kerry, Lieberman, Obama Buckle on Climate Bill (Politico, NYT) No Decision Yet on Whether Transpo Emissions Will Be Capped (Transpo Nation) Source Readers Believe Congress and the President Will Move on 30/10 What’s with the Covered Sharrows on Westholme? (Biking In LA) Rollerball Star Chris Klein to … Continued
June 30, 2010
Some Good News for Bus Riders, Rapid Buses Come to Venice Blvd.
There was a little good news for bus riders in advance of the fare hikes coming on Thursday.
June 29, 2010
Velo-City 2010: Copenhagen Bike Parade
Last week, Copenhagen was the host for the Velo-City Global 2010
conference featuring over 1,000 attendees, advocates, and bike
enthusiasts from all over the world. It was awesome and awe-inspiring.
The city that loves biking welcomed us with open arms.
June 29, 2010
Chicago Takes Tentative First Step Toward Bike-Sharing
Public bike-sharing is coming to yet another American city.
June 29, 2010
“Summer Night Lights” Makes the Case for Livable Streets
Yesterday, the Mayor's Office announced the expansion of the popular "Summer Night Lights" program, which keeps the lights on at 24 recreation centers and parks in some of the high crime areas around the city. The purpose of the program is to provide a fun, reliable and safe alternative to gang-life for youths around the city. By keeping the lights on, and organizing events such as basketball leagues the city wants to get kids off the streets to divert their energy somewhere safe.
June 29, 2010
Today’s Headlines
Image from LAist. Don’t forget to attend those Wilshire BRT Hearings! “Hummer v Bike” Crash Report from April 2009 Forwarded to City Council (Biking In L.A.) Measure R Will “Unlock Our Freeways” (LABJ) Metro Checking Whether TAP Cards Are Valid (The Source) Long Beach Wants More…When It Comes to Pedestrian Safety (LB Post) Cyclists, Enviros, … Continued
June 29, 2010
Measure R Rail Projects Underway: Ground Is Broken for Foothill Extension
This weekend wasn't just a good one for cyclists. On Saturday, while I was still sleeping off Critical Mass, groundbreaking occurred for the Gold Line Foothill Extension in the San Gabriel Valley. The rail line was always a popular project with Valley residents, but until Measure R was passed, a measure opposed by several prominent politicians in the area, funding for the project was not approved. Now, with cash in hand and shovels in the ground, officials are predicting the extension will open in 2014, before the Expo Line will be completed all the way in to Santa Monica.
June 28, 2010