Month: November 2010
Streetsblog LA
Give Your Line Some Love: Enter GOOD Magazine’s Best Bus Route Contest
While many Americans may not think riding a bus is the sexiest form of transportation, the reality is that a majority of public transit trips in the U.S. are taken by bus. The numbers are even higher in the Bay Area. Every one of the hundreds of thousands of passengers who boarded a bus in the last year has a story to tell and there are probably lots of Streetsblog readers who would love to share a tale about their favorite line. So why not nominate it as the best bus route in America?
November 5, 2010
Young People on Car Ownership: Meh
Owning a car was once a rite of passage for young Americans on par with algebra and the prom. But, according to a recent report from MSNBC, more young people are sitting out the ritual driver's tests and the time-honored privilege of getting the keys to a hand-me-down clunker.
November 5, 2010
Crash Injures Two Young Girls in Crosswalk. CVC a Third Victim
What use is a law if nobody bothers to enforce it?
November 4, 2010
Eliminate Waste or Kill Good Projects? Earmark Ban Could Cut Both Ways
As the election news sunk in yesterday, President Obama sought common ground with the incoming Republican leadership. His olive branch: earmarks.
November 4, 2010
Rumor: It’s Fisher v Sedadi for General Manager of LADOT
While advocates have been pushing for a national search to find a candidate to replace the departing Rita Robinson as new General Manager for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, insiders in City Hall and the Caltrans Building are placing their bets on one of two LADOT Assistant General Managers. In this corner, we have the LADOT's answer to Donald Shoup, Amir Sedadi. In the far corner, in an immaculately pressed suit, we have John Fisher.
November 4, 2010
Oberstar Says Goodbye, Mica Promises Rail and a Long-Term Bill
Rep. Jim Oberstar said goodbye today after 36 years in the House, during which he helped pioneer federal support for biking and walking. "I go in peace of mind and heart, but with sadness," he said in his concession speech.
November 4, 2010
Columbus Developers: Transit Riders Are Bad for Business
It's hard to believe, in this day and age, that some people still harbor a negative attitude about bus riders. But the sad truth is, transit users continue to be stigmatized in many quarters.
November 4, 2010
Updating the Bike Plan: Well, How Did I Get Here?
An internet search didn't find any other accounts of the proposed bike plan update turning Los Angeles into a world-class bike city. Critiques of the plan have been considerably less effusive than the staff report, calling it "an entertaining and inspiring experience that bears no connection to reality" (Bikeside) and "a bunch of phoney bloney jargon to hide the fact that there are no real plans [for bike lanes on major streets]" (Brayj Against the Machine.) Even supportive articles include qualifications "... a step in the right direction ... we are requesting that Planning and DOT ... show further commitment" (LACBC) and "I like a lot of what I see in the draft plan, though." (Biking in LA)
November 3, 2010