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Streetfilms: Oakland’s Scraper Bikes and the Bike 4 Life Ride
Born in the streets of Oakland, scraper bikes first gained attention as a trend in bicycle customization that spread with viral speed, thanks to YouTube. Since the Scraper Bike video debuted two years ago, they've become much more: a practical means of greening urban space, a social movement, and a rallying point for young people organizing against violence in their communities.
July 31, 2009
Understanding Washington’s Metro Crash
The House of Representatives subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia convened yesterday afternoon to hear testimony related to the tragic Washington Metro accident of June 22.
July 15, 2009
The Wall Street Tax Shelter That Crashed Your Local Transit Agency
The D.C. Metro accident that killed nine riders this week has renewed calls for rail safety upgrades and reminders that car travel remains far riskier than transit. But the crash is also shedding light on a problem that goes beyond Washington: tax shelter deals between banks and struggling transit agencies -- deals that were given a retroactive pass by Congress.
June 26, 2009
Help Oakland Name Its Own “Summer Streets”
We were excited to welcome two long-time Oakland, CA, groups to the Livable Streets Community this week: Walk Oakland Bike Oakland (WOBO) and TransForm. Inspired by the success of San Francisco's Sunday Streets, WOBO wants to launch its own East Bay version and is asking for input on what to call the event. Shannon T. writes:
June 26, 2009
LADOT to Cyclists: “Watch the Road” or Be “Bug Splatter”
If you don't care for DOT's new bike safety ads, here's something you'll really hate.
June 22, 2009
Might Nat Ford Succeed Lee Sander as MTA Boss?
Streetsblog San Francisco reports that speculation continues over the future of city transit head Nat Ford. Rumors have been swirling from some time that Ford might return to New York -- where he started his career as a train conductor some 30 years ago -- to succeed Lee Sander as MTA CEO. And talk of Ford's possible departure from San Francisco won't let up, writes Bryan Goebel:
June 19, 2009
Streetfilms: A Bright Beginning for Phoenix Light Rail
Everyone knows that Phoenix has a huge sprawl problem. But now transit-oriented development is on the upswing in this Sun Belt metropolis. In
December, the Phoenix region opened one of the most ambitious transit projects
in recent U.S. history: a 20-mile light rail line with 28 stops
serving three cities (Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa). Future plans include an extension within three years, with several new corridors being studied.
June 18, 2009
Chicago Pays the Price for Parking Privatization
It appears Chicago politicians who privatized city parking meter operations traded short-term political gain for long-term fiscal pain.
June 17, 2009