Transportation

To Succeed, BRTs Need 'AYFs'

"Attractive young females" may be the bellwether of success on new public transit systems, according to a transit consultant who was in the Twin Cities to advise about a planned bus rapid transit line.

August 22, 2008 - Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune

Fighting Bike Lanes and Emissions in San Francisco

One vocal San Francisco man has halted progress on the city's expansive bicycle master plan, claiming that the more space allotted to bicycles, the more traffic congestion -- and greenhouse gas emissions -- there will be.

August 22, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Bikers vs. Environmentalists

Planners in Montgomery County, MD are nixing a proposed bike path because of its nearness to 'ecologically sensitive parkland'. Bicycle proponents think this argument doesn't hold water. Says one,'they're already running a big highway through there.'

August 21, 2008 - The Washington Post

Congressperson Asks Americans To Drive Slower

One of Congress' newest members sees it fitting that Americans should drive slower to save fuel - an appropriate sacrifice for a war she sees partly waged for oil. Her first bill, HR 6458, lowers speed limits to 60/65 mph (urban/rural areas).

August 21, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Bike Culture in Beijing

This video from the Wall St. Journal Online gives a first-hand look at the current bicycle culture in Beijing, and the variety of bike types available.

August 20, 2008 - Wall St. Journal

Cape Town Considers BRT

As the country prepares for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, officials in Cape Town, South Africa, are considering plans for a citywide bus rapid transit system. BRT pioneer Enrique Penalosa was recently in town to stump for transit.

August 20, 2008 - The Independent Online

Riding in Peace

'Quiet' cars on trains -- where cell phones and loud headphones are banned -- are widely popular. So why aren't more transit agencies making designated quiet cars?

August 19, 2008 - The New York Sun

Golden Gate Bridge Congestion Pricing Replaced With Parking Pricing Plan

The Feds won't agree to a $1 congestion peak bridge toll, so SF planners have proposed peak hour parking fees on corridors leading to the Golden Gate Bridge to satisfy the Urban Partnership Agreement terms to retain the $158 million grant.

August 19, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Bold Plans for Denver's Union Station

Denver's Union Station is poised to become a major transportation hub once more, but faces a lot of challenges before opening its doors.

August 19, 2008 - Westword

The Spread of Ciclovia

Temporary street closures for pedestrian use -- an idea that spawned in Bogota, Colombia -- are occurring in cities all over the world. The trend is expected to continue.

August 18, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Electronic Signs May Need Different Rules

Officials in Abilene, Texas, are trying to pass an electronic sign ordinance "proactively" but are facing great resistance, as has been the case for other cities.

August 18, 2008 - Abilene Reporter-News

China Says Car Bans Will Stop After Olympics

Despite improved air quality, China says it has no plans to continue the car control measures it has enacted during the Olympics to clean the city's air.

August 18, 2008 - Reuters

Stymied by City, Community Installs Own Speed Bumps

Van Nguyen and six neighbors in the NewHolly neighborhood of Seattle weren't satisfied with the city's lack of action on the cars speeding through their community- so they installed speedbumps themselves.

August 18, 2008 - The Seattle Times

Unlikely Partners Oppose L.A. Transit Funding Plan

In an unlikely collaboration, tax payers and the Los Angeles Bus Riders Union have joined in opposition to a proposal that would raise L.A. County sales tax a half-cent to provide funding for public transit.

August 18, 2008 - LA Weekly

Everything's Coming Up Streetcars

Ohio's seeing streetcars, with new systems planned for Columbus and Cincinnati.

August 17, 2008 - The New York Times

Cars a Rite of Passage No More?

That mainstay of adolescence -- achieving car ownership and going cruising -- may be on its way out.

August 17, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

Seniors Facing High Gas Prices Find Giving Up Their Cars Tough

AARP finds that 29% of older Americans polled say they are now walking as a way to avoid high gas prices, but 40% say the sidewalks in their area are inadequate.

August 16, 2008 - Market Watch - Also Associated Press story

D.C. Shares Bikes

Washington D.C.'s bike sharing system has debuted, with 120 bikes at 10 stations.

August 16, 2008 - The Washington Post

Why We Drive the Way We Do

Next American City reviews a new book called Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What it Says about Us) by journalist Tom Vanderbilt, which follows in the footsteps of Freakonomics and Blink.

August 15, 2008 - The Next American City

Boise Looks to Streetcars for Urban Renewal

Boise considers resurrecting their streetcar system after an 80 year absence.

August 15, 2008 - The Boise Weekly

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