Safety

Most people have a highly distorted view of the risks they face, which skews their decisions and ultimately reduces their happiness. We live in one of the safest times and places in history, yet, many people live in constant fear, and respond in ways that actually reduce overall security. This is a major obstacle to efficient transportation, healthy living, and livable community.

October 7, 2008 - Todd Litman

Urban areas are filled with cars, and this creates an unsafe environment for children. This commentary argues that officials need to regain their faith in the power of planning to address the issue.

September 25, 2008 - Guardian

Safety codes recommended by NIST after analyzing the collapse of the World Trade Center are being challenged by another federal agency on the grounds they will be too costly.

September 9, 2008 - The New York Times

Security is a major concern during large public events like the Olympics. The Chinese government is making preparations for a safe event, but could they go too far?

August 11, 2008 - Buildings Magazine

A recent report by The Australian Commission of Children and Young People reveals that kids in Sydney are too afraid to play outside or ride the bus.

July 28, 2008 - The Daily Telegraph, Sydney

The rising value of iron and steel has prompted thieves to steal an alarming amount of manhole covers from Philadelphia's streets.

July 24, 2008 - The New York Times

City cycling can be hectic. Let's be realistic: most American cities are not meant for cyclists. It would be great if they were, but for now, our city forms are primarily designed for the movement of cars. Because cities are made for cars, it's understandable that car drivers tend to disregard the fact that somebody might be riding a bike out there. (Interchange blogger Mike Lydon recently wrote an excellent piece about planning for bicycle networks.) Until our urban forms and public policies encourage the use of roads by a variety of transportation types, the burden is on cyclists to assert their role in the transit jungle. Communication is key to achieving this goal. Safe cycling (and safe transportation in general) relies heavily on communication. Safe cyclists speak bike language -- a rudimentary system made up of three main components: the wave, the yell and the nod.

July 14, 2008 - Nate Berg

Cyclists Bill Reynolds muses on the freedom offered by the bicycle -- and the tragic tendency for cyclists to fall victim to automobiles.

June 23, 2008 - The Walrus

In an effort to increase livability, New York City will test a 6.9 mile car-free corridor during the month of August.

June 17, 2008 - The New York Times

Will laser-projected pedestrians make crossing the street safer in South Korea?

May 30, 2008 - Streetsblog

Officials in the California city of Sebastopol have gone back on an agreement with an Internet provider that was planning to create a municipal Wi-Fi network for the city. They cited health concerns in their decision.

March 28, 2008 - The Press Democrat

High rates of accidents and few bike lanes make Indianapolis a dangerous place to ride a bike, according to this article.

March 21, 2008 - The Indianapolis Star

A 70-year-old document sheds light on the attitude of master builder Robert Moses towards bicycling.

March 20, 2008 - Streetsblog

This video from StreetFilm shows the extensive traffic calming efforts taken by one beach community in Australia.

March 19, 2008 - Streetsblog

More and more people are injuring themselves by walking into poles while looking down at their cell phones. This video from ITN News looks at an effort in England to make the streets safer for walking texters.

March 14, 2008 - ITN News via Engadget