After a first attempt fizzled in 2007, Toronto is launching a new bike sharing system.
Officials are hoping the new system, modeled after other successful systems, will work better and be able to withstand the budget shortfalls that put the first system under.
"What's different this time? Beyond the basics, Bixi Toronto bears little resemblance to BikeShare's low-tech, grassroots approach. Instead, it follows a formula pioneered in Lyon, France that went for big scale and high tech to succeed where so many other bike sharing systems had failed. In 2005, Lyon and its private sector partner blanketed the city in automated rental kiosks so that there was always a station close to where you started and another to where you were going. Lyon subsidized its operation with ads on the specially built bikes, which featured a sturdy and distinctive design that discouraged theft. And, critically, they charged extra for trips over 30 minutes, encouraging members to return bikes promptly so that each bike could be used many times each day."
FULL STORY: Bixi: Bike sharing is back in Toronto

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

Charlottesville Temporarily Has No Zoning Code
A judge ordered the Virginia city to throw out its newly revised zoning code, leaving permitting for new development in legal limbo.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont