AAA recently announced that it would offer roadside assistance for bikers in need in Southern New England and Colorado, joining similar programs in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, New Jersey, and British Columbia.
Martine Powers reports on a new service by AAA to its members in Southern New England: "AAA Southern New England announced Monday that members can make bicycle-related service calls; if a bike breaks on the road, tow truck drivers will attempt repairs or transport cyclists to their homes or to a nearby bike repair shop, within a 10-mile radius." To facilitate the service in Massachusetts, "about 30 AAA trucks will be outfitted with bike racks."
AAA Colorado made a similar announcement on the same day, according to a report by Elizabeth Hernandez. "AAA Colorado is expanding its roadside assistance program to cover bicycles, which means members whose bikes break down mid-ride can now call for help….Under the expanded program, AAA will retrieve members and transport them and their bikes to the destination of their choice for no extra charge."
Read the full story: Cyclists to get helping hand from AAA
California Unlikely to Follow New York in Allowing Urban Street Tolling
With the New York State legislature expected to pass a tolling plan for Manhattan early next week, the Chronicle's Rachel Swan reports on the unlikelihood of a similar plan being adopted in San Francisco or any city in the Golden State.
AAA Study: Auto Ownership More Cost-Effective Than Ride-Hailing
Even after factoring in insurance, parking, depreciation, fuel, repair, maintenance and licensing, urban dwellers would pay half the costs to travel, on average, nearly 11,000 miles annually in their own new car rather than relying on ride-hailing.
Oregon Supreme Court Rejects Challenge by AAA to Stop Electric Vehicle Rebates
A controversial new sales tax on motor vehicles in a state with no sales taxes survived a court challenge. As a result, Oregon consumers will have another reason to consider purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle: receiving up to a $5,000 rebate.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority