Habits are a key part of life. Simplicity often is the shortest avenue to success. With one movement, how you reach to open your car door, you can save a life. You can save a bicyclist from injury. Creating a new habit, retraining your movement when opening a door, can come with unquantifiable benefit. Learn the Dutch reach — don’t “door” …
Donald Shoup pointed out many years ago that if companies pay the costs of parking for their employees, a common fringe benefit (and an expensive one, at that), those employers are essentially giving “an invitation to drive to work alone.” Shoup continues to explain that it is time to level the playing field and has been promoting a …
Day after day, we witness backtracking in our country. Looking at the big picture, after nudging tenaciously year after year, the hurdles some of us thought we had energy to overcome are set up once more like barricades to common sense and dignity. Some of the hurdles that we thought determined environmentally and socially compassionate forces had overcome slip …
In November of 2016, a study explored how much bikesharing impacted congestion. This study — Bicycle infrastructure, and traffic congestion: Evidence from DC’s Capital Bikeshare — found that Capital Bikeshare cut neighborhood traffic congestion by ~4%. Previously, some people had implied that the bicyclists using Capital Bikeshare came for a group of former pedestrians and metro travelers, so didn’t really replace …
Bikesharing Saves DC Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars Read More »
For the first time in the UK, you can join a bikeshare that uses electric bikes (e-bikes). With 5 new docking sites across the city of Exeter, bicyclists can easily give an electric bicycle a spin around the city. The city of Exeter has more docking stations planned as well to increase ridership and availability of the self-service …
Here’s a bright note for many and needed news for those concerned about politicians keeping their promises, especially their environmental promises. All is well in London on this account. London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, is apparently aiming to make London one of those cities we pedestrians, cyclists, environmentalists point to and say, “Ah, if only — if only …
Also published on CleanTechnica. Riding public transportation is a vital means of saving money, money that can much more happily be spent on other things than on owning, driving, and maintaining a car. Transit riders can forget about auto insurance, car payments, fuel costs, tuneups at the mechanic, expensive broken car parts, etc. The American Public …
$9,641 = Annual Savings Taking Public Transportation In USA Read More »
Also published on CleanTechnica. Those of us who try to keep abreast of urban planning and clean transportation news are familiar with the benefits of bicycling in terms of pure air, livability, quieter streets and homes, space and resource efficiency, a stable climate, and public life. We’re also aware that some places are much better than others. …
Every bicyclist knows that feeling of relief as a car passes a bit too closely. Although, there are too many injured bicyclists who do not. The West Midlands Police are determined to put those injuries and deaths in the past, and one of the police agency’s new initiatives is gettng props now as the “best …
“Best Cyclist Road Safety Initiative Ever” — Cycling UK & West Midlands Police Read More »
Via CleanTechnica: There’s good news on the transit front from Atlanta. Atlanta, long infamous for its car-oriented development, is now focused forward with an eye toward sustainable redevelopment. A MARTA initiative has been focused on modernizing transit fleets. Atlanta travelers will enjoy one of the newest fleets nationwide — after using some of the oldest in the country for years. Boosting ridership …
Knowing and practicing traffic safety saves lives, and no time is it more ideal to learn than when young. Yes, the rules of the road are easy to set into memory, just as language is. Seattle is setting a standard for many things, not the least of which is protecting Seattle’s younger citizens via valuable knowledge. Seattle now …
It’s the time of year in Florida that is perfect for bicycling. From now until July, it is a refreshing active transport option without the worry of torrential summer downpours. I recently stopped by to visit Pedego of Sarasota and owner Michael Weatherby at a local electric bicycle shop that specializes in safe, comfortable electric bicycles in order …
Denver City Council has shown some heart and is conscientiously planning redevelopment within underdeveloped areas of the city. Incentives toward development all too often exclude those most in need, but Denver City Council voted to require affordable housing if developers want to build higher. Along with density and walkability, Denver rightfully wants some affordable housing with …
Denver: Include Affordable Housing If You Want To Build Higher Read More »
A parody of MBTA transit updates (service alerts) is an amusing Excuse Generator that wants you to lighten up if you’re delayed in Boston. Most of us don’t like interruptions to our work or play. If interrupted, we must adjust our attitude. Stay flexible. Stay peaceful. Maybe laugh. It may not get you where you want …
Parody Of Transit Service Alerts — Amusing Excuse Generator Read More »
How long since you passed a sad traffic accident? Consider this: A person is 10 times safer taking public transportation for a commute than driving. You are 90% safer if you take public transportation (for commutes). The finding comes from a new study by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The study, The Hidden Traffic Safety Solution: …
Via CleanTechnica. $200 billion in funding for public transportation could make a big difference in the air everyone breathes. It could make a difference in the day-to-day mobility of many travelers. As US elections near, there is a definite tone within the US political system. This election cycle grasps for our vote. I think about all the money spent …
$200 Billion In Funding For Public Transportation Read More »
Via CleanTechnica. Most urban environments don’t need more cars. Most times, they need fewer cars. Zipcar has joined the solution to problems of space, parking, congestion, and air pollution in yet another way (aside from its leadership in carsharing). Zipcar recently decided to launch Zipbike, a partnership with a startup called Zagster. The new vehicle-sharing venture is not about …
Zagster & Zipbike A New Vehicle-Sharing Venture Not About Cars – – Zip Read More »
“Cycling along on a fantastic state-of-the-art, ebike. … Oh, Lord,” Robert Llewellyn exclaims. “Wow, that is amazing. Cause that is so easy now when I am peddling that slowly. Oh, there’s one of those red light things.” Ben Jaconelli joins Robert on the street: “It’s nice to stop you know because you can just get away up to …
Fully-Charger-eBike & Fully Charged The Show — So Lovely, And Perhaps Safer Read More »
Driving in Seattle or from Seattle to areas in the Puget Sound is a drive in congestion — a drive in overwhelming lanes and lanes of cars. Ridership has boomed more than expected on light rail in Seattle, and perhaps this is a reason why. The regional transit authority now has more plans to grow this more efficient option — …
Seattle Light Rail Ridership Grows 83% With Expansion, Blows Away Expectations Read More »
Portland is a bicycling kind of city. It is better than almost every other city in the US in this regard, but it is still adding more reasons for remaining drivers to get on a bicycle. Check out “Cross Bikes: Portland’s New Green Stripes,” for example. Driving a silent all-electric car, and being an avid pedestrian/bicyclist much of my life, …
Cross Bikes: PBOT & Vision Zero Present Portland’s New Green Stripes Read More »
Things change, people change. Many believe it is time to embrace more change. Adapting to change is something one cannot avoid in my opinion, but it’s easier when changes don’t mean backtracking. A story from San Francisco highlights that more tech workers, who were recently shuttling to work from the city to the suburbs, are now commuting alone in cars …
San Francisco Cuts Corporate Bus Stops, Car Use Increases Read More »
Portland has been the #1 large city for bicycling (in the United States) for a long time, considerate and supportive of bicycle commuting. The city shows that planning and consideration make a difference, and the city has even gone without any bicyclist deaths from accidents for several years. The latest news from Portland (other than this) is that Nike is sponsoring a …
MARTA, or the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, is the eight largest rapid transit system in the US, and it is becoming a much more attractive option — with Wi-Fi access granted to passengers. A collaboration will very soon solidify a contract with a provider, and MARTA will install cell phone and Wi-Fi access in its stations …
MARTA To Install Wi-Fi Access In Its Stations & Tunnels Read More »
It is month #6 of an 8-month evaluation and inquiry set on naming the best US city for “everyday biking.” This past month focused on choosing the “#1 kid biking city.” PeopleForBikes is defining “everyday biking” as “casual, utilitarian trips around town.” According to the official results, agreement (on the name) was overwhelming: Included as part of this …
Month after month APTA reminds us that savings flourish when one chooses public transit for one’s commute. Yes, money for the nice new Mac, or the romantic trip you are longing for, or the new ecological washer and dryer. Shall I go on? The Flamenco or Tango dance classes you want to try out, the tools …
Savings Flourish Choosing Public Transit: September Savings Report Read More »
Bicycling is enjoying a renaissance with strong growth worldwide, and certainly notable growth in the US. Things have improved in the 21st century, with more than 1,050 visionary local businesses now included in the “Bicycle Friendly Businesses” program of the League of American Bicyclists. These top bicycle-friendly businesses are located in 47 states and Washington, DC. There are a multitude of reasons for regular …
“Cash or Credit.” Sounds like a good deal. Indego Bike Share is now offering affordable bicycling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — not just another bikesharing program for the well-off. I believe Philadelphia to be a very pleasant city for pedestrians, due to longtime experience living there. Pedestrian life equates to more balance of the mind — walking is a good way …
One of the challenges of adding bike lanes to cities can be the challenge that arises when a bus stop sits where a bike lane should go. But separated, protected bike lanes that step back from the roadway and bus stop work excellently, as can be seen in this video from San Francisco: Appreciations for …
San Francisco Protected Bicycle Lane Meshes Well With Transit Stop Read More »
A prompt return of a recently stolen GoCycle electric bike makes this a fun and somewhat full-circle story. It also explores theft in the modern-day age of communications and electric vehicles. The facts as we are aware: A GoCycle electric bike was stolen in London but came back to the owner via taxi cab, delivered …
Electric Bike Thief Returns Bike To Owner In Taxi (It’s Complicated) Read More »
To be young, with bicycle, perhaps money to travel and explore the world. Where would you bike? Well, Strava Labs can give you a good idea. It is highlighting where people bike and walk via heatmaps. “The Strava dataset is growing by over 2 million activities a week and already contains 250 billion gps data points. Here on …
