http://sf.streetsblog.org Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:04:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Flickr photo: Thomas HawkThe city plans to paint bike lanes in 22 locations within the first year after the Bike Plan injunction is lifted, all of which would be reversible upon a court order, according to a filing [PDF] by the City's Attorney's office today. ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/06/city-files-list-of-bike-projects-likely-in-first-year-after-injunction-is-lifted/ Over 200 people showed up to hear planning directors speak. Photo: Michael Rhodes City planners have been on the hook for some of the last century's greatest metropolitan mishaps: urban freeways and "slum clearance," arbitrary minimum parking requirements, and land use laws that have ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/06/planning-chiefs-urban-planning-still-hindered-by-politics-past-mistakes/ Over the past two days at the Congress for the New Urbanism Project for Transportation Reform conference, attendees have called for transportation reform at local, regional, and national levels. In a panel debate about the future of transportation funding and the role of regional planning through MPOs, several speakers argued that the ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/06/at-cnu-former-rep-of-texas-legislature-says-no-road-pays-for-itself/ With the U.S. unemployment rate hitting 10.2 percent today, its highest level in 26 years, a palpable shift is occurring on Capitol Hill. House transportation chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) (Photo: STLToday) For weeks, we've heard senior Democrats and the transit industry make ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/06/the-concrete-is-cracking-front-loaded-new-transport-bill-gains-steam/ Today on the Streetsblog Network, a story about some kids in Los Angeles who did their research and came up with several good ideas about improving conditions for bicycle commuters. Then they ran up against the reality that the public forums on the city's bike plan weren't so public. But they didn't let that stop ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/06/la-kids-tell-city-hall-how-to-improve-biking-%e2%80%94-via-youtube/ Muni Station Agent Arrested for Allegedly Punching Teen Girl (SF Examiner) BART Driver Accused of Lewd Act on Train (NBC Bay Area) Santa Clara County to Pay $800,000 to Father of Cyclist Killed by Asleep-at-the-Wheel Cop (SFGate) ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/06/todays-headlines-213/ Photo: npGreenway The Congress for the New Urbanism's Project for Transportation Reform summit in Portland, Oregon, has brought together transportation engineers, city planners, and transportation reform advocates to share best practice policies for reforming transportation metrics, funding mechanisms, and regional practices that isolate transportation planning from land-use and ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/05/cnu-transportation-project-raises-bar-on-planning-for-livable-cities/ The first time I saw this ad I thought my eyes and ears were deceiving me. But no, there it is: a young woman holding a cellphone toward the camera as "nüvifone" maker Garmin beckons viewers to "communicate while navigating." "With my nüvifone, I can ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/05/garmin-chat-navigate-and-steer-but-dont-drive-distracted/ Waiting to board the B44 in Brooklyn. Photo: Benjamin FriedOur latest call for photos was inspired by the picture at right, taking by Streetsblog New York's own Ben Fried. It's an all too familiar scene -- transit riders crammed together, waiting for a bus (or train) that doesn't come when it's supposed to ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/05/wanted-your-photos-of-crummy-transit-conditions/ As fans of clean transportation and sustainable development join the push for a strong climate change bill to emerge from Congress, it's worth remembering that not all environmental groups support the approach congressional Democrats have chosen. Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) (Photo: AP)Friends of the ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/05/how-important-is-a-united-front-on-the-climate-bill/ The Senate environment committee approved its climate change bill today on an 11-1 vote, shrugging off a boycott by all of the panel's Republicans but missing out on the chance to consider amendments to the lengthy legislation. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) (Photo: AP) ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/05/boxer-okays-senate-climate-bill-without-amendments-or-gop/ Loads of good stuff today on the Streetsblog Network. Portland Transport has a post on the connection between cul-de-sac development and safety for all street users, as discussed at the Congress for the New Urbanism Transportation Summit in Portland. ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/05/the-perils-of-cul-de-sac-development/ 400 Cited, 9 Arrested in "Operation Safe Muni" Sting Yesterday (CBS5, SF Examiner, Mission L@cal) Morgan Hill Man Dies from Injuries ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/05/todays-headlines-212/ Ingleside Captain David Lazar briefs officers and the media on Operation Safe Muni today. Photo: Michael RhodesFor years, spotting a police officer on Muni has been about as likely as winning the lottery, even though officers are required to ride transit vehicles twice per shift. As ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/04/sfpd-conducting-first-citywide-operation-safe-muni-sting-today/ Virginia Railway Express (VRE), the commuter network that links northwest Virginia to Washington D.C., today refused a challenge by Amtrak to its decision to switch operating providers to the U.S. arm of Keolis, a private French transit company. Chicago's earliest rail transit line, pictured here, was ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/04/amtrak-virginia-railway-express-and-the-future-of-privately-run-transit/ The $8,000 tax credit for new home buyers -- which was wracked by fraudulent claims after its creation as part of the nation's economic recovery effort -- is on the verge of a significant expansion by Congress. Just how much ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/04/congress-set-to-double-the-size-of-sprawl-centric-home-buyer%e2%80%99s-tax-credit/ The chief sponsor of the Senate climate change bill acknowledged today that there is a narrow window for Republican cooperation on the legislation, thanks to GOP resistance to its central goal -- putting a price on CO2 emissions. ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/04/kerry-there%e2%80%99s-a-narrow-window-for-gop-cooperation-on-pricing-pollution/ Today on the Streetsblog Network, Bike Portland looks at a new review of the scientific literature on the relation between bicycle infrastructure and injuries to cyclists, conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia. While the study points to the need for more data, it finds that dedicated bicycle infrastructure is associated with ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/04/there%e2%80%99s-safety-in-bike-specific-infrastructure/ SF Voters Reject Plan for Billboards on Mid-Market (SF Examiner) The Examiner Reports on the MTA's Mid-Year Budget Deficit "DriveCam" System Installed on Muni Vehicles (SF ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/04/todays-headlines-211/ The previous budget crisis, in May, brought Muni fare hikes and service cuts. Flickr photo: Steve RhodesWith memories of last spring's budget battle still fresh in mind, the MTA announced in a mid-year budget presentation [PDF] today that it now faces a $45.1 million deficit and ... http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/03/mta-budget-shortfall-could-seriously-impact-muni-service/