Here’s the news that caught our eye this week:
– National organization Bikes Belong is using some of its clout and funding to send U.S. city officials and planners to the Netherlands to bring home lessons in bicycle culture and infrastructure. A reporter followed one delegation and describes what he observed.
– In NYC, bicycling is apparently becoming fashionable among young, chic women, in part as a quaint accessory and in part as a way to stay in shape.
– A popular cross-country bicycle route is slated to become a major freight corridor, with 500,000lb (!) trucks delivering oil extraction equipment to Canada.
– Since Tacoma, Washington passed a master plan that included bicycle infrastructure, it has not only not been implemented on newly repaved and striped streets, but bike lanes have been removed.
– It’s about time the misconception that people who ride bikes don’t pay for roads was put to bed for once and for all. This article out of Vancouver, BC does a great job unpacking the issues. I wrote something about it too, over at Grist.
– In the U.K., perhaps for the first time ever, footage from a helmet camera has helped convict someone of reckless driving in a road rage incident.
– A critical look at ways a city might better serve working class Latinos who commute by bicycle out of necessity and are rarely reached by outreach programs or well represented by advocacy groups or government decisions.
– The folks behind the popular WalkScore.org site have enticingly posted a request for feedback on what a potential BikeScore program should include.
– According to a new study, state bans on driving while texting and using cell phones aren’t reducing crashes.
– Also in the news this week, a social media company is working on a license plate-based social networking scheme so that you can use your phone to connect with other drivers (as well as participating companies) while you’re in traffic.
– In a Portland suburb, a frustrated contractor has begun filling potholes in exchange for donations to charity. The catch? It’s illegal.
– What doesn’t mix? Mountain bikes and guns. Hunters were concerned about the two overlapping in Sisters, Oregon last weekend.
– It’s true, you’re never too old to ride a bike, according to this roundup.
– And finally, the video of the week, from StreetFilms, shows the charming story of how one neighborhood in Queens, NY found more much needed park space…in the street. Inspired to create your own carfree space? Here’s a handy guide.