High speed rail; homeless Hummers; Berlin fixie ban; traffic in India; traffic in Indonesia; the gender gap; genetics; walking; playing in the street
Hang on to your hats, folks, there’s a lot of news this week.
– A NY Times Op-Ed speculating that Detroit, with its disappearing population and wide, empty streets, could be transformed into a bicycling utopia has been causing a stir around the web. A reader sent in a link to this story about how the bicycle craze of the late 19th century paved the way for Detroit to become the iconic motoring city (thanks Dan!).
– On the whole, the population of US cities is beginning to grow again, reports Streetsblog.
– The Sightline Institute has found that we’re using less gas in the Pacific Northwest — in fact, in the past year we’ve dropped down to 1965 levels.
– A compendium of the Obama administration’s transportation goals.
– Will a proposed tax on Wall Street oil speculation fund our country’s new, modern transportation system?
– A long NY Times Magazine article (from a couple of weeks ago) on the future of high speed rail in California.
– A California court has deemed it illegal for the state to use public transit funds for other purposes.
– London’s transportation secretary, Lord Adonis, talks up high speed rail and bicycling.
– In Mumbai, India, one proposal for reducing car traffic is to ban people who don’t own their own parking spot from buying a car in the first place.
– In Jakarta, Indonesia, one proposed solution to traffic safety issues is to require people with disabilities to wear special traffic signs when walking in public spaces.
– The city of Berlin has banned fixed gear bicycles that aren’t equipped with handbrakes.
– The Oregonian has a piece on the power of Portland’s neighborhood associations — most recently in blocking the proposed stadium in Lents.
– Portland’s newest light rail line, the MAX Green Line, took its inaugural trip last week. Chris Smith shares his impressions.
– The Chinese government has blocked a Chinese firm’s acquisition of the Hummer brand, saying that providing a home to the behemoth vehicles would go against the country’s green agenda.
– Several recent articles about the gender gap in cycling have caused a flap among transportation bloggers — the Streetsblog Network thoughtfully rounds up the interesting conversation that has resulted.
– David Hembrow in the Netherlands draws a provocative comparison between US military and transportation spending.
– From the same source — reports of a serious bicycle parking shortage in the Netherlands.
– The active folks at our new, local Bike Temple have started a sensitive and interesting discussion about reaching out to people who are overweight and ride or want to ride bikes. It begins here and continues here.
– On the Vélocouture blog, a call for “the great unrolling” (of your pants leg, after installing a chainguard on your bike).
– A post on the new World Carfree Network blog suggests ditching your bike for the most radical form of transportation and transformation of cities — walking.
– Thought of the day… Tom Vanderbilt quotes a book passage on how modern mobility is causing the world’s populations to genetically merge.
And finally, a fun video of a day long party in a temporarily reclaimed street in Guadalajara.
“Portland’s newest light rail line, the MAX Green Line, opened last week. Chris Smith shares his impressions.”
The Green Line is not really open, at least not for most people. The ride last week was a VIP ride, and the official opening is not until September 12th.
Thanks for pointing that out, Liz. I edited the post. — Elly
I’ve posted additional comments on m-bike regarding biking in Detroit. I’ve ridden in a number of “bicycle friendly” cities and I don’t think many of them are even in a position to catch up with Detroit (primarily due to their motor vehicle densities and incomplete street grids.)
Amen on the pant leg thing. It seems like such a silly thing to do. Why not just install the chain guard? I think part of what keeps a lot of people from getting on bikes are these silly bike/fashionista-isms. What’s convenient about having to roll up your pant legs anytime you want to travel somewhere? It strikes me more as a self imposed “badge of biking honor” than anything rational, plus it looks absolutely silly. Is an exposed chain really such an awesome thing?
I like the video! I couldn’t read the story, but I take it that this was an ‘unautorized’ reclaimation of the street? Nice!
The chain is annoying, but the real issue I have is the cuff catching on the end of the crank arms or other bits of the bike down there.
Who knew China would pull a move to block Hummer? Wow. Good for them. The general FUD being spread about China’s growth is that they will be the “new polluters”, bigger than America ever was or has been. They seem to be doing their best to disprove that right here.
“Lord Adonis”? Are you kidding me? That’s got to me the most awesome name in this post.
er, “be the most awesome name…”
“A NY Times Op-Ed speculating that Detroit, with its disappearing population and wide, empty streets, could be transformed into a bicycling utopia has been causing a stir around the web.”
Just check out bikesnobnyc:
“I would advise Portland to step up the frequency of its famous campy theme rides immediately. A quick glance at the headlines reveals that there’s theme ride potential in many recent developments. For example, a Robert S. McNamara ride, an Obama visits Russia ride, or even a Kevin Jonas of the Jonas brothers engagement ride would be sure to bring Portland’s cyclists out in droves, though I suppose these rides might conflict with their rigorous vegan Tour de France viewing party schedules.”
On the bikesnobnyc:
…how about a Sarah Palin resignation tour?
People with disabilities have to wear traffic signs in Indonesia? Love it! [sarcasm] Usually I am embarrassed to be an American, but not so much right now.
I suppose minorities have little badges, or maybe permanent tattoos on their foreheads, to identify them as well? Bar codes, maybe? Wow.
Detroit is becoming a ghost town. The average home price in April was $11,500.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/17/detroit.artists.homes/index.html
Lazlo (#9) – that’s ok, because this Friday we have… The Bike Snob Ride:
http://shift2bikes.org/cal/#10-953
Excuse me, that should be THIS THURSDAY we have the Bike Snob Ride
Excellent. I am above such carryings on, however.
Chain guards…meh. I’m just slowly converting all my pants into knickers. This way I can also show of my sexy socks. :p
“The Sightline Institute has found that we’re using less gas in the Pacific Northwest — in fact, in the past year we’ve dropped down to 1965 levels.”
Just wanted to add that we’re talking PER CAPITA levels here. That’s still great, but when the population has doubled and the per capita has stayed constant, you still end up with double the poultion.
For those of you who don’t think we get enough attention for the bike scene here, another jab from bikesnob.
THE BIKE SNOB RIDE
Col. Summers Park, SE 20th Ave and Belmont St Take Trimet
6:00pm
BikeSnobNYC says we’ll use ANYthing as an excuse for a ride – and I think he’s right, so if you have a bike that’s too good for the masses, or if you ride a fixie, or are vegan, or if you just want to poke fun at BikeSnobNYC – here is your chance!
Tallbikes, freakbikes and fixies are strongly encouraged – bring your best bike, dress like a bike snob, and we’ll turn our noses up at everyone else this Thursday!
Meet at 6pm at Colonel Summers Park (of course), and be ready to ride!
5-10 mile ride, not a loop, and we will likely end at a bar.
Also, there’s a potential scheduling conflict, since any unicycle polo players will apparently have to rush from my ride (which starts at 6:00) to the unicycle polo match starting at 6:30:
UNICYCLE POLO
Alberta park, NE 20th Ave and Killingsworth St Take Trimet (Polo courts)
6:30pm, April 23, every Thursday
Unicycle Polo.
Where? When? 6:30pm [at] Alberta Park Just about EVERY thursday of the month (Keep your Glazzies peeled on the listserve for info {www.unicyclebastards.com/contact us). Mallets and balls are supplied by the bastards as long as appropriate alcoholic donations continue. however, we are always in need of skipoles and balls. Bring yer uni. bring yer 2x2s. bring yer triple antibiotic ointment.
prepare to breathe hard and sweat. unicycles, remember? not bikes. unis.
also, remember vandalism? not cool. never will be.
I think the fact that a bike blog-themed ride is overlapping with a unicycle polo match means either I’ve jumped the shark, or Portland has, or both. Nonetheless, I’m profoundly moved, and if you do participate in the ride be sure to fall while urinating to experience what it’s really like being me.
Thanks, Portland!