Streetsblog

In the name of economic stimulus, the government has invested deeply in the very business (real estate) that was driving the economy down. Does that make sense? Streetsblog's Ryan Avent reports.

Billionaire Warren Buffett took full ownership of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad yesterday, calling his move "a bet on the country." Some say it's a bet on coal and against clean energy.

An updated version of the agency's strategic plan aims to double bicycle modeshare by 2012 compared to 2007 levels.

NY MTA Head Jay Walder is considering lowering fares for off-peak hours riders in order to encourage people to change their habits.

Streetsblog asked readers from around the country to submit photos of bikes in action around the country. The result is a slide show that brings the nation's burgeoning bicycle culture to life.

Musician David Byrne gathered a panel of planners and cyclists for a spirited conversation in San Francisco about the joys of urban cycling.

Give software developers open transit data, and they'll create applications that make riding easier and more convenient, says Ben Fried. But straphangers in the nation's largest transit market, New York, are still waiting for the MTA to open up.

San Francisco's Market St. is the main street in town, but has had mixed success as a public space and a history of accidents involving pedestrians and bikes. Mayor Newsom has announced a new effort to improve safety and the public realm.

A new Transportation Research Board study examines the relationship between land use and carbon emissions - specifically reduction of vehicle miles traveled resulting from densification and the shape of new growth to come.

Speaking to members of the Brookings Institution, Vice President Joe Biden acknowledged that there have been problems with implementing the stimulus package funds at the local level.

With the successful launch of the 17th St. park, San Francsico's "Pavement to Parks" project is moving to its next location, the corner of Guerrero and San Jose. Activist Gillian Gillett has been pushing for something to happen there for years.

The committee convened a hearing on Monday on green investments in public transportation, and Streetsblog got the scoop. It was 4 against 1 as witnesses sided against Randal O'Toole and his anti-transit arguments.

With cities switching to new pay kiosks, parking meters are going the way of the dodo- unfortunately for bikers, who use the posts for bike racks. A handful of cities are seeing the possibility in old posts.

Reps. Mack (CA), Kirk (IL) and Reichert (WA) are among a small group of Republicans who voted for the recent climate change bill. It turns out these eight are also supporters of transit. Streetsblog makes the connection.

Planners in Park Slope have been experimenting with adjusting the price of on-street parking during peak hours on busy Fifth Avenue.

Ryan Avent at Streetsblog calls Randal O'Toole's anti-transit arguments "transparently foolish."

A proposal authored by Stanford students for a class to create a pedestrian-only zone near campus has gotten the attention of business owners and the community.

...or not. Only 3 senators bothered to show up for his confirmation hearing. The discussion centered around the failure of the FTA to get funding to ailing transit systems across the country.

Boxer is chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is responsible for writing much of the language in the bill. Progressives are concerned that she won't deliver on their agenda of reform.

That was the title the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation chose for a hearing on April 28. Panelists: Ray LaHood, DOT Secretary; Steve Heminger, MTC; Jame Corless, T4America; Ann Canby, STPP, and Ned Holmes, TX Transp. Comm.