Month: November 2009

The Obama administration's proposal for a new federal role in transit safety oversight would eventually apply to buses, although the first round of rules would be directed at subways and light rail, according to the U.S. DOT.

When it comes to infrastructure improvements that encourage more people to walk or bicycle to transit stations, how long will commuters be willing to travel? The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has officially answered that question, proposing a significant expansion of the rules governing how close bike-ped projects should be to transit in order to receive government funding.

The MTA Board will vote tomorrow on whether to sell a bus turnaround near Balboa Park station to make room for an 80-unit affordable housing and retail mixed-use development and new open space. The Balboa Park Station Area Plan, which was completed earlier this year and aims to promote transit-oriented development and improved pedestrians conditions in the neighborhood, identified the Phelan Bus Loop at Ocean Avenue between Lee and Harold Avenues as a prime spot for redevelopment.

I'll be leaving in ten days for Scandinavia, and will be sending reports to sf.streetsblog on the upcoming Climate Change conference (known as COP15) and the massive demonstrations that are expected to surround it. I've been to Copenhagen (my mother was born there) so I'm excited to return to a place where bicycles reign and the political culture is surprisingly reasonable compared to anything here in the U.S. COP15 will be joined by most of the world's nations, while outside its perimeter, a range of political organizations and ad-hoc political cultures will also converge, bringing memories of Seattle a decade ago, and the half dozen other dramatic confrontations between protesters and police at G8 or IMF summits since then.

Details of the Obama administration's proposal to carve out a federal presence overseeing transit safety, first reported yesterday by the Washington Post, have yet to cross the desks of some top lawmakers and industry stakeholders. But reaction to the idea, both positive and hesitant, is plentiful this morning.

How are cities preparing to deal with climate change? How is light rail working out for Santa Clara County? What does a bicycle ballet look like? These question and more answered in this week’s events. Here are the highlights. Tuesday: SPUR Lunchtime Forum: How U.S. cities are preparing for climate change. The Center for Clean … Continued

Over the weekend, we came across an article from the Isthmus of Madison, Wisconsin, reporting on a conservative scaremongering campaign against a commuter rail proposal.

Obama Administration Wants Safety Oversight of Subways and Light Rail (NYT, Reuters) Man Arrested in Tenderloin Stabbing Considered Suspect in Stabbing of Boy on Muni Bus (CBS5) N-Judah Rail Replacement Project Delayed; Shuttle Buses Still Running (SF Gate) Wired: “Why Portland’s Mass Transit Rocks” SF Struggles to Find Money to Repair and Maintain Its Deteriorating … Continued

East Bay Bicycle Coalition invites you to Velo Wonderland: Bike and Art Party, on Friday, December 4th. EBBC has had a fantastic year, and we're ready to celebrate with fellow cyclists and bicycle supporters. The party takes place the same night as Oakland's First Fridays art walk, Art Murmur, and it will have bicycle-themed and recycled art curated by local artist Margo Rivera-Weiss. Enjoy beer from Linden Street Brewery along with some tasty treats. DJ Olga T will be spinning music all night long. EBBC will have a pedi-cab on hand, so you can take a ride in style to nearby Art Murmur galleries. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome - bring a friend!