Let’s get started shall we? Here’s the news and stories that caught our eyes this past week…
— So what really happened in terms of transportation behavior in New York after Sandy? The Rudin Center at NYU has released results of a survey. One takeaway: “Walking and biking commuters were, on average, the least frustrated.”
— Some people wonder why I’m so impatient to redesign streets and improve access for bicycling. Here’s part of the reason: Twice in the past few weeks I’ve heard of people being killed on sections of streets that were planned for traffic calming or other changes, but for some reason the changes had been stalled or rejected. One in New York City, the other in Redwood City, CA. Tragic and avoidable.
— Cars or people? League of American Bicyclists Policy Director Darren Flusche continues the important conversation about performance standards and how we choose to measure success of streets.
— With some important relevance to us here in Portland, this story argues that too much compromise on projects is the reason why NYC’s bus service is “second-tier”.
— When cycle tracks are being discussed on a major arterial road in San Diego, California, you know a revolution is afoot.
— Speaking of a revolution. This thing is going global. Turns out even Thailand is “smitten by two wheels.”
— The next time someone tells you how dangerous they think cycling is, or worries about you for doing it, tell them that a group of British health researchers have found that biking is safer than sitting on a couch.
— Here’s an interesting study: Do people who play video games that include crazy driving actually take more risks when behind real steering wheels? (Yes).
— Ever heard of Interbike? It’s the U.S. bike industry’s big annual trade show. It’s always been open only to industry insiders and employees. Now they’re opening it up to the public. Sort of. You’ll have to pay $50 and go through a dealer to get a badge.
— Streetfilms released a great new video last week about how East Harlem residents fought for — and won — the installation of protected bike lanes that used to drop prior to their neighborhood.
— Bike camping is an activity very close to my heart, so it’s with great pleasure that I continue to see it grow in popularity. The latest rumination from Lovely Bicycle is all about the return of the camping bike.
— I love that things many used to think were just Portland keepin’ it weird for bikes are now mainstream and being replicated all over the country. The latest example of this phenomenon is this USA Today article on the growing use of bicycle-only traffic signals.
— Speaking of bike-centric trends we see in Portland that then start popping up in other places. Seattle is getting a new apartment development that caters specifically to “rabid bicycle commuters.”
— As New Orleans’ French Quarter continues to rebuild after Katrina, people are making their voices heard in support of bike access on major streets.
— This is fun. A light that beams a Batman-style image on the road in front of you.
— I had to read this one twice to make sure it really happened. Guy in Central Park West neighborhood of Manhattan pulled a woman off her bike and threw her to the ground because, apparently, he just doesn’t like bike riders. Now she’s suing him.
— Wait. What?! Greg LeMond as UCI president?
— There was an interesting event in downtown Portland hosted by Chrome last month: The Subfloor Circuit. Unfortunately I missed it; but fortunately there’s this awesome video of all the action…
Chrome Subfloor Circuit from Jason Finn on Vimeo.
Remember, if you come across something interesting and noteworthy on the web. Get in touch and we’ll consider using it in next week’s Roundup.