USA

Talking Headways: High Impact Investing in Low Wealth Communities

By Jeff Wood | May 23, 2019

This week, we're joined by Maurice Jones, president and CEO of Local Initiatives Support Corporation, who talks about working with communities and existing businesses to develop talent in the workforce, breaking down barriers to entry in certain professions such as property development, and the history of policies and practices that intentionally excluded certain populations from opportunity.

Are We Starting to See Progress Toward Vision Zero?

By Angie Schmitt | May 22, 2019

Looking at the data, a positive trend may be starting to emerge, but advocates say mayors aren't doing enough.

Chambers of Commerce Come Around to Transit

By Aaron Short | May 21, 2019

City business groups are forming a coalition to urge Congress and the president to fund transportation projects.

NYC

Neighborhood Empowerment Project: Humble Bike Rack Tells a Story of a Broken Process

By Doug Gordon | May 22, 2019

This is the first post generated by the Neighborhood Empowerment Project, an initiative of our parent company, Open Plans, to change the ineffective way our city government responds to neighborhood problems.

Experts: Exempting Yellow Taxis From Congestion Pricing Won’t Help Cabbies

By Julianne Cuba | May 22, 2019

“The proposed solution does not match the problem,” said one expert.

Corey Johnson’s ‘Master Plan’: 50 Miles of Protected Bike Lanes Per Year — And A Lot More

By David Meyer | May 21, 2019

The City Council Speaker is putting his legislative muscle where his mouth is.

LA

South Central Gives Nipsey Hussle the Send-Off of a Lifetime

By Sahra Sulaiman | Apr 13, 2019

Few communities love harder than South Central.

A Year after Losing Her Only Son in a Hit-and-Run, a Mother Wonders when Justice Will Be Served

By Sahra Sulaiman | Apr 6, 2019

“I’m about to go out here, I’m bout to ride my bike. I’m bout to have me a good day,” he said, smiling. “I feel good today, Momma. Man, I’m free.”

Handcuffing of Cyclist by USC Public Safety Raises Questions about Tactics, Oversight, Accountability

By Sahra Sulaiman | Mar 1, 2019

USC Public Safety Officers cuffed a man riding without a light, questioned him about warrants, and told him LAPD would be asked to come run a warrant check

CHICAGO

Violence Against Women Is a Mobility Justice Issue

By Lynda Lopez | May 23, 2019

The murder of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, and other recent missing-person cases, have made women walking and riding transit in lower-income communities of color feel less safe.

An In-the-Saddle Exit Interview With Rahm as He Hits the Road

By John Greenfield | May 21, 2019

As he starts out on a two-week, 1,000-mile bike ride around Lake Michigan on the day after he left office, ex-Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel discusses his proudest accomplishments for biking.

Thanks to “Overwhelming Support,” the Logan Affordable TOD Plan Is Moving Forward

By John Greenfield | May 14, 2019

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said that after taking input from over a thousand residents, he's recommending the project to the zoning committee.

SF

Supervisor Norman Yee Puts West Portal Motorists Over Transit Riders

By Roger Rudick | May 20, 2019

Pushes to prevent study of traffic changes that would finally start prioritizing Muni over private cars

Advocates Scramble to Keep Transit Housing Bill Active

By Roger Rudick | May 17, 2019

Anti-density/NIMBY politician maneuvers to put transit housing bill on ice

Wind, Tears and Cold Rain Mark this Year’s Ride of Silence

By Roger Rudick | May 16, 2019

Cyclists do their annual tour to remember the fallen

DENVER

You Can’t Ride a Trike and Text — So Don’t Do It While Driving

By Andy Bosselman | May 14, 2019

Today students at the University of Denver attempted driving a tricycle around traffic cones while texting. Distractions were added to other games, like corn hole, putt putt and perfection, as a part of the “Distraction Games,” an event state transportation officials organized in hopes of raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

Denver Will Add Bike Lanes — Mostly Protected

By Andy Bosselman | May 10, 2019

Denver will build 16.8 miles of new bike lanes this summer, kicking off the construction of 125 miles of bikeways the city will add to its network over the next five years. This summer’s work includes nine projects, most in lower-income areas outside of the city center. As the city finally accelerates the expansion of its bike network, advocates expressed support.

Drivers Who Hurt People Likely to Be Taken off the Road

By Andy Bosselman | May 2, 2019

Careless drivers who seriously injure people will be taken off the roads under a bill passed Thursday by state lawmakers — the first time Colorado has decided to treat them differently from drivers who only damage property.

CALIFORNIA

Latest Cap-and-Trade Auction Shows Strong Results

By Melanie Curry | May 22, 2019

The price of emission allowances is rising steadily, and is well above the government-set floor price. The cap-and-trade market seems quite stable.

State Grants Awarded for Active Transportation, Sustainable Communities

By Melanie Curry | May 21, 2019

There are, as always, far more projects applying than there is money for. A complete list of projects here.

Legislative Update: Complete Streets Move Forward, ATP Rejigger Fails

By Melanie Curry | May 20, 2019

Among the bills that died or survived last week's Appropriations committee hearings were two key bills for people who walk, bike, or take transit.

SOUTHEAST

How I Respond to “Atlanta Is a Car Town, Not a Cycling and Transit Town”

By ATL Urbanist | Jan 2, 2018

A commenter on a recent post of mine mentioned a couple of pretty common criticisms about expectations for growth in cycling and transit in Atlanta.

What Makes a Good City? You Need the Right Codes

By David Walters | Dec 1, 2017

How can we stop design and planning mistakes from damaging our city? Part 2 in a series of illustrated essays on urban design.

Suburban Exclusion of MARTA and Access to the Braves Stadium

By ATL Urbanist | Nov 13, 2017

There is a way to get to the Braves stadium by using Cobb County’s transit service. But that service is nowhere near as extensive as MARTA and doesn’t meet the needs of the people who live in suburban poverty.

OHIO

What’s Really Behind GCRTA’s Falling Ridership Levels?

By Tim Kovach | Dec 20, 2017

The past year has been eventful, to say least, for public transit in Northeast Ohio.

Driving Is the Problem, Not the Solution

By Tim Kovach | Dec 15, 2017

We’re officially in the middle of the holiday season, which can only mean one thing – that’s right, the 5-year American Community Survey (ACS) data for 2016 came out last week.

COTA to Interview Four Candidates for CEO Post

By Brent Warren | Dec 13, 2017

Four candidates will be interviewed to be the next CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority.

STL

Why You Should Go to the Chouteau Greenway Events this Week

By William Smith | Jan 3, 2018

If you haven’t yet heard of Great Rivers Greenway (GRG) or specifically the Chouteau Greenway, you’re missing out on one of the most exciting developments planned in St. Louis.

Take Parking Away From Treasurer’s Office

By Steve Patterson | Jan 3, 2018

Former St. Louis treasurer Larry Williams reminds me of a small town version of New York's Robert Moses (1888-1981), using the state legislature to give him money and power while also remaining free of oversight.

How Much Do People in Missouri Bicycle?

By Brent Hugh | Dec 6, 2017

How much do people in Missouri bicycle? Is the amount of bicycling in Missouri growing? How to Missouri communities compare with other U.S. cities and with major cities of the world?

TEXAS

The One Little Rule That Decides Where Austin’s Towers Build Parking

By Dan Keshet | Jan 2, 2018

Not every tower in downtown Austin looks exactly the same, but there is one defining characteristic that describes almost all of them: parking. Most towers rest on top of what they call in the industry a parking plinth, the tower base where folks store their cars.

Remembering Pedestrian Pete

By Leah Binkovitz | Dec 13, 2017

Irascible, ornery, unconventional, Pedestrian Pete pushed Houston to be better and embrace walkable urbanism.

Harvey to Be a Turning Point for Equitable Transit-Oriented Development in Houston

By Raj Mankad | Dec 7, 2017

Rendering of New Hope Housing project on Harrisburg. Courtesy: GSMA.The urban ambitions of our government leaders — so easy to dismiss in the past as nice words with no budget — may get a serious infusion of funds because of Harvey. The Texas delegation that Governor Abbott took to Washington D.C. lobbied for $61 billion beyond what the state already expects to receive from […]