a major study and new policies that
will make it safer to walk in the Big Apple.
(Photo: NYC DOT)
Morning folks and welcome to the Roundup…
— The New York City DOT released a “landmark” study on walking that will help them push even farther, faster in re-claiming their streets for people (more details in NYC DOT press release).
— In St. Charles County, Missouri, the rural road bike ban is still being considered. The man who proposed the ban, Councilman Joe Brazil, has now issued two other options. He calls one of them a “fall-back ordinance” and it would require people riding on certain “dangerous stretches of highway” to wear “a blinking light, a flag and a mirror.” I’m not kidding.
— A traffic jam in China has lasted for nine days and “could last for weeks” (and apparently this isn’t the first time it’s happened). A CBC reports says that Chinese officials blame the backup on “insufficient traffic capacity.” Wow.
— Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa reports on his Bike Summit while another report says bike advocates in L.A. are “skeptical but hopeful“.
— Google gave a big “Thanks!” to everyone that offered suggestions on their “bike there” feature and they’ve announced that 80 more cities now have bike directions.
— Forbes delves into “the Great Train Robbery” and questions the wisdom of continued investment in commuter rail projects in Los Angeles. With bus services being cut around the country, rail projects are coming under more and more scrutiny.
— Up in Washington, they’re piloting a solar-powered LED-enhanced highway reflector that is 10-time brighter than standard reflectors. The reader that sent in the link wonders if these reflectors could improve the safety bike lanes/shoulders.
— Gene at the Biking Bis blog brings us news of a 10 mph bike speed limit on the Cedar River Trail in Renton, Washington. As our local off-highway trails continue to burst at the seams with users, we could see something similar in the future.
— The Oregonian notes how Portland’s Downtown Marketing Initiative — an effort to draw people downtown — is funded through parking meter fees. BTA staffer Susan Peithman wonders via Twitter whether the money could be used to encourage biking and transit improvements instead.