I've been reading his blog for a while and I thought that this post that he had was just terrific.
Spread the word ya'll!
Ride on.
Check it out here
Saturday, September 26, 2009
London Seeks to Reduce Congestion by Eliminating Traffic Lights
I think that this is a wonderful experiment that I hope can "Cross the pond".
Could be sweet.
By Richard S. Chang
London is getting naked — well, getting naked streets. Naked streets are those without traffic lights and stop signs.
I wrote about naked streets a couple of years ago, when a village in Germany suddenly decided to rid itself of traffic lights and all other road accoutrements. The idea wasn’t even new back then. Towns in Holland, Denmark and Belgium have had naked streets for years.
But London would be the first major city to attempt order through apparent disorder, if an experiment proves successful. Boris Johnson, the city’s mayor, is behind an effort to switch off traffic lights in the city’s center, according to the Telegraph.
“We will be creating a bit of indecision in all road users’ minds to create a safe environment,” said Martin Low, Westminster City Council’s head of transportation, which is conducting the experiment with Transport for London. “When lights are out we have noticed that drivers are far more considerate and show more care and attention than they are when they have the reassurance of traffic lights.”
The rest of the story
Could be sweet.
By Richard S. Chang
London is getting naked — well, getting naked streets. Naked streets are those without traffic lights and stop signs.
I wrote about naked streets a couple of years ago, when a village in Germany suddenly decided to rid itself of traffic lights and all other road accoutrements. The idea wasn’t even new back then. Towns in Holland, Denmark and Belgium have had naked streets for years.
But London would be the first major city to attempt order through apparent disorder, if an experiment proves successful. Boris Johnson, the city’s mayor, is behind an effort to switch off traffic lights in the city’s center, according to the Telegraph.
“We will be creating a bit of indecision in all road users’ minds to create a safe environment,” said Martin Low, Westminster City Council’s head of transportation, which is conducting the experiment with Transport for London. “When lights are out we have noticed that drivers are far more considerate and show more care and attention than they are when they have the reassurance of traffic lights.”
The rest of the story
Politics
Senator Coburn (R-OK) is offering two amendments to the FY10 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill that will strike funding for transportation enhancements. The two amendments are S. Amendment 2370 and S. Amendment 2371.
The Transportation Enhancement program has provided between one-half and three-quarters of all Federal funding invested in bicycling and walking improvements in the last 20 years. More than $250 million is at stake in fiscal year 2010 - if Coburn's amendment is successful it will affect hundreds of trail projects, sidewalks, bicyclist education programs, bike rack on bus programs, and roadway improvements for bicyclists.
S. Amendment 2370 prohibits funding for transportation enhancements if the Highway Trust Fund does not contain amounts sufficient to cover unfunded highway authorizations.
S. Amendment 2371 allows states to opt out of the 10 percent set aside rule that require states to spend at least 10 percent of their surface transportation funding on transportation enhancements.
We expect the amendments to be offered and voted on during Senate floor debate tomorrow, Wednesday, September 16.
Please call your Senator immediately and urge them to vote NO on S. Amendment 2370 and S. Amendment 2371 to the FY10 transportation appropriations bill.
Thank You!
Thanks to Dennis Donahue
The Transportation Enhancement program has provided between one-half and three-quarters of all Federal funding invested in bicycling and walking improvements in the last 20 years. More than $250 million is at stake in fiscal year 2010 - if Coburn's amendment is successful it will affect hundreds of trail projects, sidewalks, bicyclist education programs, bike rack on bus programs, and roadway improvements for bicyclists.
S. Amendment 2370 prohibits funding for transportation enhancements if the Highway Trust Fund does not contain amounts sufficient to cover unfunded highway authorizations.
S. Amendment 2371 allows states to opt out of the 10 percent set aside rule that require states to spend at least 10 percent of their surface transportation funding on transportation enhancements.
We expect the amendments to be offered and voted on during Senate floor debate tomorrow, Wednesday, September 16.
Please call your Senator immediately and urge them to vote NO on S. Amendment 2370 and S. Amendment 2371 to the FY10 transportation appropriations bill.
Thank You!
Thanks to Dennis Donahue
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Who Causes Cyclists’ Deaths?
August 28, 2009, 1:30 pm
By Freakonomics
More than 52,000 bicyclists have been killed in bicycle traffic accidents in the U.S. over the 80 years the federal government has been keeping records. When it comes to sharing the road with cars, many people seem to assume that such accidents are usually the cyclist’s fault — a result of reckless or aggressive riding. But an analysis of police reports on 2,752 bike-car accidents in Toronto found that clumsy or inattentive driving by motorists was the cause of 90 percent of these crashes. Among the leading causes: running a stop sign or traffic light, turning into a cyclist’s path, or opening a door on a biker. This shouldn’t come as too big a surprise: motorists cause roughly 75 percent of motorcycle crashes too.
So I guess when people tell me to be careful, I need to start returning the kind sentiment.
By Freakonomics
More than 52,000 bicyclists have been killed in bicycle traffic accidents in the U.S. over the 80 years the federal government has been keeping records. When it comes to sharing the road with cars, many people seem to assume that such accidents are usually the cyclist’s fault — a result of reckless or aggressive riding. But an analysis of police reports on 2,752 bike-car accidents in Toronto found that clumsy or inattentive driving by motorists was the cause of 90 percent of these crashes. Among the leading causes: running a stop sign or traffic light, turning into a cyclist’s path, or opening a door on a biker. This shouldn’t come as too big a surprise: motorists cause roughly 75 percent of motorcycle crashes too.
So I guess when people tell me to be careful, I need to start returning the kind sentiment.
Bike Hub
I think that this could work in Fort Wayne, it seems similar to the facility that I toured a couple years back that is located in Milleneum Park in Chicago. I wish them all the luck and I will follow up on this story later on.
Biking hub opens, offers resources for busy riders
by Dianna M. Náñez
The Arizona Republic
On Wednesday, Karleen Dirmantas left her central Phoenix home at 6:45 a.m. and rode her bicycle 15 miles to the state's first full-service biking center in Tempe. She showered, changed into her work uniform and arrived at work by 8 a.m.
The Bicycle Cellar, which opened Aug. 24, has made it possible for Dirmantas to stop driving her car to work, save money on gasoline and help preserve the environment. Other bicyclists say their benefits include saving money on parking at Arizona State University and enjoying easier access to light-rail stations.
Two Valley bicycle enthusiasts own the facility at Tempe's Transportation Center, which is near ASU and is a hub for light rails and buses.
The rest of the story
Biking hub opens, offers resources for busy riders
by Dianna M. Náñez
The Arizona Republic
On Wednesday, Karleen Dirmantas left her central Phoenix home at 6:45 a.m. and rode her bicycle 15 miles to the state's first full-service biking center in Tempe. She showered, changed into her work uniform and arrived at work by 8 a.m.
The Bicycle Cellar, which opened Aug. 24, has made it possible for Dirmantas to stop driving her car to work, save money on gasoline and help preserve the environment. Other bicyclists say their benefits include saving money on parking at Arizona State University and enjoying easier access to light-rail stations.
Two Valley bicycle enthusiasts own the facility at Tempe's Transportation Center, which is near ASU and is a hub for light rails and buses.
The rest of the story
Impressive
So, you don't bike to work.
That is okay I will never cast the first stone.
Everyone has their reasons.
But if your only reason was that you didn't have a bike be a good one.
I would say that is the best reason.
Could you imagine if your employer came to you and said that if you commit to biking to work, we will give you a brand new bike?
Kudos to the Standing Stone Brewery in Ashland, Oregon. Relax, I know it's in Oregon but it is still pretty sweet.
Read it here.
That is okay I will never cast the first stone.
Everyone has their reasons.
But if your only reason was that you didn't have a bike be a good one.
I would say that is the best reason.
Could you imagine if your employer came to you and said that if you commit to biking to work, we will give you a brand new bike?
Kudos to the Standing Stone Brewery in Ashland, Oregon. Relax, I know it's in Oregon but it is still pretty sweet.
Read it here.
The Helmet Lock
Well, I have to say when it came in the mail I was a little skeptical.
I have used it a number of time though and it is awesome. I loved not hauling my helmet!
If you bike a lot of places and actually wear a helmet get one.
The Helmet Lock
I have used it a number of time though and it is awesome. I loved not hauling my helmet!
If you bike a lot of places and actually wear a helmet get one.
The Helmet Lock
Biking in Columbus
I was in Columbus last week for training for work. I stayed downtown and spent most of my time out of the training on High Street. I wan out in the early morning running, I was out in the lunch hour, for, you guessed it, lunch, and I was out during the rush and dinner hour for...well you get the idea.
It didn't matter what time of day, there were bikes everywhere. I know, I know, Ohio State is there but I also personally can attest to quite a number of the cyclists to be commuters.
There were no bike lanes. There were no share the road signs. But there were a large number of bikers doing what we do. Go places. Do things. You know.
I was really happy to see that there was a large majority of these folks who "take theie lane". Take aup a lane of the road. It warmed my heart actually.
A trusted reader also sent me a blog that has some great points and I was pleasantly surprised to hear them talk about some of the same things that we talk about here.
It didn't matter what time of day, there were bikes everywhere. I know, I know, Ohio State is there but I also personally can attest to quite a number of the cyclists to be commuters.
There were no bike lanes. There were no share the road signs. But there were a large number of bikers doing what we do. Go places. Do things. You know.
I was really happy to see that there was a large majority of these folks who "take theie lane". Take aup a lane of the road. It warmed my heart actually.
A trusted reader also sent me a blog that has some great points and I was pleasantly surprised to hear them talk about some of the same things that we talk about here.
The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure Investments
You know it was nice to see these kind of statistics from the League of American Bicyclists. You always are reading about what companies like the Homebuilder's Association explaining all the good that they do for communities so it is nice to see that they have put some firm numbers to it.
Darren Flusche|League Policy Analyst|June 2009
Today the national bicycling industry contributes an estimated $133 billion a year to the U.S. economy.i It supports nearly 1.1 million jobs and generates $17.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. Another $46.9 billion is spent on meals, transportation, lodging, gifts and entertainment during bike trips and tours.
This article highlights the impact the bicycle industry and bicycle tourism can have on state and local economies, describes the need for bicycle facilities, discusses the cost effectiveness of investments, points out the benefits of bike facilities for business districts and neighborhoods, and identifies the cost savings associated with a mode shift from car to bicycle. The evidence demonstrates that investments in bicycle infrastructure make good economic sense as a cost effective way to enhance shopping districts and communities, generate tourism and support business.
Notable Economic Impacts
Regions that have invested in bicycling have seen a beneficial impact on their economies. Studies have shown that bicycle industry and bicycle tourism can boost local employment levels and economic activity.
The full report
Darren Flusche|League Policy Analyst|June 2009
Today the national bicycling industry contributes an estimated $133 billion a year to the U.S. economy.i It supports nearly 1.1 million jobs and generates $17.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. Another $46.9 billion is spent on meals, transportation, lodging, gifts and entertainment during bike trips and tours.
This article highlights the impact the bicycle industry and bicycle tourism can have on state and local economies, describes the need for bicycle facilities, discusses the cost effectiveness of investments, points out the benefits of bike facilities for business districts and neighborhoods, and identifies the cost savings associated with a mode shift from car to bicycle. The evidence demonstrates that investments in bicycle infrastructure make good economic sense as a cost effective way to enhance shopping districts and communities, generate tourism and support business.
Notable Economic Impacts
Regions that have invested in bicycling have seen a beneficial impact on their economies. Studies have shown that bicycle industry and bicycle tourism can boost local employment levels and economic activity.
The full report
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