Uber plans to support sustainable mobility by funding advocacy efforts, sharing data, and offering bike-share service.
Dara Khosrowshahi of Uber recently outlined a series of initiatives by the company to support urban sustainability. A new Fund for Sustainable Mobility will put $10 million toward backing advocacy for congestion pricing and public transit.
Uber also plans to make its travel data accessible by donating $250,000 to and partnering with the nonprofit organization SharedStreets. In addition, Uber sponsored a curb study to help cities better understand how to manage curb space as new travel modes continue to emerge and develop.
Uber also acquired the bike-share company JUMP earlier this year. Khosrowshahi discussed Uber's efforts to put infrastructure in place to support JUMP, including the installation of a network of charging stations for the electric bikes in Sacramento.
"These announcements demonstrate how Uber—which revolutionized the transportation landscape for riders, planners, and city leaders—is now paying [sic] catch-up with the micromobility revolution kickstarted by companies such as Bird and Lime," observes Patrick Sisson. In addition, says Sisson, these initiatives reflect Uber's recognition of congestion as a threat to ridesharing and the need to "diversify its offerings and make multimodal trips more seamless."
FULL STORY: Uber makes $10M bet on bikes and transit
Bicycles and Books — In Sacramento, Libraries Now Offer Both
Adult library card holders can check out e-bikes and e-trikes for up to one week.
Dockless Bikes Seized as City of London Cracks Down on Parking
Lime and Forest paid £25,000 in fines to retrieve their property and are negotiating solutions with transportation authorities.
Indy Bike Share Sees Sharp Growth Thanks to Free Pass Program
A new fleet of e-bikes and free access for Marion County residents are getting more people on bikes.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association