Bike advocates are hoping that the Houston Bike Plan can achieve full council approval in July. The Houston Chronicle hopes the bike plan will be for everyone (not just hipsters).

"Once you're far from the serene paths of Buffalo Bayou Park and downtown's B-Cycle stations, the true picture of cycling in Houston begins to emerge," according to the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board. "Cyclists in Houston are more working class than urban hipster, and they pedal more out of necessity than choice."
The reason for the perspective is the release of a final draft of the Houston Bike Plan earlier this month. The final draft makes changes to an earlier draft released in February. According to a separate article by Dug Begley, the bike plan added 133 more miles of bike trails or shared use paths between drafts. The final draft calls for a total of "1,789 miles of bike-friendly paths and trails, including 668 miles separated from automobile traffic," according to Begley.
Which brings us back to the editorial. Back in February, the bike plan was pitched as a tool to attract casual riders. The editorial board hopes, however, that those riding their bikes to work because they can't afford to drive, will be given more opportunities to do so safely.
FULL STORY: Editorial: For biking to work

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)