Year: 2009

Two weeks ago, Ray LaHood candidly addressed the need to reduce the nation's vehicle miles traveled in order to halt the devastating effects of climate change. But the Transportation Secretary had a decidedly different message today.

This week kicks off with a discussion and update on the proposed Geary BRT project, and winds down with Critical Mass, and an event to get the kiddies off their training wheels.

Can a bike-sharing program transform a city? To mark the second anniversary of the Vélib system in Paris, Streetsblog Network member World Streets has a post arguing that it can, if it's done on a sufficient scale:

BART Labor Talks Continue As Another Deadline Draws Closer (SF Gate, ABC7) Tom Radulovich:  It’s Time to “Put the Region’s Rail Network on a Sustainable Course” NY Senator Schumer Introduces Bill to Ban Transit Operators from Texting (Newsday) CHSRB: “The Multi-Pronged Attack Against” California High Speed Rail Caltrans Considers Safety Improvements for Bicyclists, Peds on … Continued

One day after we asked when the bike box on Scott Street at Oak would reappear, lo and behold, it's back. It was apparently repainted sometime this morning. Tipster and Streetsblog commenter MichaelSF points out it appears longer. It's almost a full bike box but it's still not connected to the bike lane, like most bike boxes in other cities such Portland and New York.

Bicycle wipe-outs at intersections with streetcar tracks, like Duboce and Church or 17th Street and Church, are so common that I could hardly compose a post about the phenomenon without overhearing the familiar thud and "Are you okay?" of a bicyclist taking a spill. In fact, that's exactly what happened outside my window just now as I sat down to write.

This May, a bill surfaced in the U.S. Senate that would triple federal funding for Safe Routes to School programs. Livable Streets Community activists have been on the case this week, mobilizing support for the measure. In many communities, however, local policies also have to change to help kids get to school by walking or biking.

The government's Cash for Clunkers program officially begins today, but car dealers have been running ads like this one for a while already. They have to keep the public informed: Now you can trade in your old car and buy a brand-new SUV or pick-up truck with a hefty assist from Uncle Sam.

It's Friday. It's summer. Let's face it, you shouldn't be looking at a computer right now.