Welcome to the week. Here are the best stories we came across in the past seven days…
Stop killing kids: A horrible and preventable traffic tragedy on a street in Park Slope, Brooklyn has spurred outrage that some are comparing to the “Kindermoord” movement in Amsterdam. Thousands are expected at the Kids March for Safe Streets today.
Density done right: Too many detached, single-family houses and inner-rung suburbs are possibly the largest barrier to more bike-friendly cities. Minneapolis could alter this common American land-use pattern with a new law that would allow fourplexes citywide.
Signals are the new widening: With a very relevant connection to the I-5 Rose Quarter project, The Urbanist explains why things like “operational changes” “auxiliary lanes” and “signal optimization” often have the same intention — and therefore the same outcomes — as good, old-fashioned highway widening.
Transit tech gap: At event held at a Jaguar dealership hosted by Oregon EV trade group Forth, the leader of OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon warned attendees that low-income people are being left behind by the “mobility services revolution”.
An equitable revolution: Transit expert Jarrett Walker heaps high praise on a set of “shared mobility principles” that he thinks will result in the future we all need — not just the one that tech companies and entrepreneurs want.
Bias and bike ticketing: Community advocates are pressuring politicians over what they say is a clear racial bias in bicycle ticketing by the Chicago PD.
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Not your average speed survey: The very powerful National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) has done two things that are quite unexpected: First, they appear to be finally questioning the flawed 85th percentile method of setting speed limits; and second, they want to hear what you think about it.
Paris will pay you to bike: Seeking to reduce congestion and improve the health of their city, Paris has decided to subside e-bike and cargo bike purchases for its residents.
An ‘overlooked’ advocate: The NY Times paid proper homage to one of America’s first cycling advocates: Lillias Campbell Davidson started biking in the early 1880s and shared her expertise and love for riding in numerous novels and short stories.
Car culture files: An interesting look at America’s widening wealth gap via a high-school that has run out of room to park students’ luxury cars.
The war on cars: A UK man frustrated by people parking on sidewalks created a device to flatten car tires when they mount curbs.
Virtual bike racing: Don’t avert your eyes, online bike racing is a thing and it’s likely to get much bigger.
Keep riding: A new study shows cycling keeps your immune system young and is an overall wonder drug for your body.
Good reason for wider tires: Data from England’s Department of Transport shows that nearly 400 bicycle users were hurt or killed due to potholes. Now there’s a push to fix them more quickly.
Thanks to everyone who suggested links this week!
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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