Uncategorized

During the big game, the commercials you most often see are pimping cars, pizza and beer, with nary a meaningful message among them. That's what's refreshing about this Miller High Life ad, which is still trying to sell you beer, but through a decidedly subversive tack. Seriously, I don't think Clarence could have written a much better script for a Streetfilm spoof.

Earlier this week, London launched its first two "cycle superhighways" to decidedly mixed reviews. First announced by then-mayor Ken Livingstone in 2008, the cycle superhighways haven't quite lived up to the expectations for safe and fast bike travel implied by their name, as you can see in this BBC News video.

Berkeley cyclists and BART staff celebrated the grand opening of the new Berkeley Bike Station yesterday at 2208 Shattuck Avenue, one of the largest enclosed bicycle stations in the country and just steps from Downtown Berkeley BART.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board, which runs Muni, voted today to partially restore service that was cut in May, contingent on the Board of Supervisors approving several actions and freeing up a one-time disbursement of county sales tax revenue.

We're pretty sure this happens every July 4th, but bicyclists headed westbound up Market Street toward Van Ness, and especially those turning right from Polk, got quite a surprise Sunday afternoon to find rows of Muni buses -- along two blocks -- queued up in the bike lanes. The difference this year is the bike lanes are green and separated with soft-hit posts, some of which looked pretty beat up after being run over by the buses.

Keeping with his public recriminations of TWU Local 250-A, the union representing Muni operators, Mayor Gavin Newsom launched into a tirade today after a press conference, decrying the leadership of the union for "misleading" the rank-and-file. Newsom called the second rejection of wage concessions a mistake and said the entire workforce would be affected by the selfishness of a few at the top.

"A Bay Area cycling classic, the Tour de Peninsula recreational bike ride and family social gathering has been a highlight of the Bay Area cycling calendar for nearly 20 years, and is the largest urban-based organized bicycle ride in the Bay Area. The 'Dirty Shirt' ride is back, this time at a great location nudged a few yards to the south from '09. There are a variety of bicycle routes to suit every type of cyclist, and full day of family outdoor activities.

Low Expectations for High-Speed Rail at NYU Conference (Streetsblog NY) California HSR Bidding Could Begin in Late 2011 (Biz Journal via Infrastructurist)  LA Times: “A High-Speed Zip Across Europe by Train” Software Called “Fleet Focus” Will Track SF City Vehicle Usage (SF Examiner) Central Subway Construction Will Mean End of SOMA Gas Station (SF Examiner) … Continued

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which sets the Bay Area's regional transportation and land use policies, officially announced the transition from the Translink card to the newly branded Clipper smart card for transit trips today. The new blue card with eight white triangles replaces the older design but functions the same, providing a convenient method to pay for transit trips on most Bay Area transit systems.