Bushwick resident Avery Brooks rides past piles of bricks that fell of a building near Kent Ave. in Williamsburg.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

After last night's dramatic storm, New Yorkers woke up this morning to see what Sandy had left behind. She made a mess. A big mess. (more...)

Commissioners on stage for, Raising the Bar: Building
political capital to implement key design initiatives.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

What is the latest thinking on transportation politics and perspectives in America's largest cities? How do transportation department chiefs view bicycling and transit? On Friday, the top transportation officials from Chicago, New York City, Boston, San Francisco and Philadelphia shared a stage for a panel discussion at the final event of the National Association of City Transportation Officials' (NACTO) Designing Cities conference. (more...)

The new view of Broadway north of Times Square. Seriously
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

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Hard-working, ubiquitous, and usually in complete disregard for traffic laws, the bike delivery men help make New York City tick.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

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Pedaling Central Park on a perfect fall day would make you smile too.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

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Bloomberg said street projects and transportation
have played major role in New York City's success.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke at the closing plenary of the NACTO Designing Cities Conference today. At an event held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of NYU in Manhattan, Bloomberg shared his perspective on the role transportation plays in his city's success.

Bloomberg was introduced by the Commissioner of New York City's Department of Transportation (and President of NACTO), Janette Sadik-Khan. She hailed Bloomberg's leadership, saying that, "It's not an exaggeration to say, the impact he's had on New York, the nation, and the world will be felt for a long time after he's left City Hall." (more...)

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A true 8-80 bikeway.

Much has been written lately about a "bicycling renaissance" that has taken hold in America. At the NACTO Designing Cities conference here in New York City, I've had the opportunity to learn about the reality behind that renaissance and I'm happy to say that it's real. Nowhere was that more apparent that at a panel discussion I attended today titled, 8-80 Bikeways: Designing protected bikeways and bicycle boulevards to accommodate a broader range of users. The session featured updates on bikeway development from four cities: Portland, Indianapolis, Chicago and New York City.
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Detail from NYC DOT report, Measuring the Street: New Metrics for 21st Century Streets (PDF) .

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Brookings Institute VP Bruce Katz wants a revolution.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Bruce Katz of the Brookings Institution opened up day two of the NACTO Designing Cities conference with nothing short of a manifesto. The noted expert on what makes cities and metropolitan areas tick, stopped short of calling for cities to secede from the union; but he delivered a scathing indictment of what he sees as a feeble federal government and told the hundreds of city leaders and planners in attendance that, "The U.S. is witnessing a metropolitan revolution."

"The time of waiting for the regulations and waiting for enlightened leadership from national government are over," he proclaimed, "this has to be a revolution that can permeate the world and I think the U.S. can start it."
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Ample space and pavement markings for walkers and bikers at Queens Plaza North.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

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