Streetfilms
Top Categories
Streetfilm: Lessons from L.A.
Never let it be said that transportation reform advocates don't have a sense of humor. How else can you explain the decision to take one of Los Angeles' best known pedestrian advocates and interview her while driving around the Hollywoods at rush hour on a Friday night?
May 1, 2008
Sadik-Khan Introduces the New York City Model
DOT revealed its "Sustainable Streets" strategic plan last night, in the very same room where the New York City Streets Renaissance Campaign held its kick-off event a little more than two years ago. Once again, Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson was there. Here are excerpts from the presentation by Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, who says that, rather than duplicate the livable streets efforts of cities like London, Paris and Copenhagen, her agency intends to implement "the New York City Model" of sustainable transportation and urban design.
April 29, 2008
Streetfilm: Grading Your Bike Locks, Part II
Here's some levity for a dreary Monday -- and an appropriate way to kick off bike month. Following up on a video from 2003, Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson recently took to the streets with bike mechanic Hal Ruzal of Bicycle Habitat, checking up on how effective city cyclists are in securing their rigs. Writes Clarence:
April 28, 2008
Streetfilm: The Transformation of Meat Market Plaza
The past few weeks, we've kept an eye on the rapid progress of Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District. Lest we forget about its slightly older neighbor to the north, Meat Market Plaza, Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson, Jr. cut together this short video capturing the site (Ninth Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets) before, during, and after construction. The project was completed last fall and is enjoying copious use with the advent of spring.
April 25, 2008
Streetfilm: Paris Skates!
Streetfilms' Elizabeth Press kicks off a series of videos about livable streets in Paris with this look at the city's two weekly romps on skates -- roller-versions of Critical Mass that attract up to 15,000 participants. Notice that the police are an essential part of the proceedings (and they seem to have fun doing it -- check out the cops on blades at the 1:35 mark).
April 24, 2008
Paco Abraham Turns Duane Reade on to Bike Racks
Yesterday DOT announced it is seeking submissions for the first ever bike-friendly business awards. This being the week of Earth Day, a few bike-positive firms have come to our attention recently -- Macy's, W Hotels, J Crew -- but the most substantial business-led effort to improve the city's cycling environment this year may have come from Duane Reade. The omnipresent drugstore chain has asked the city to install bike racks at all its New York locations -- 150 in Manhattan plus dozens more in the outer boroughs.
April 24, 2008
Streetfilm: The Mayor and the Model Plant a Tree
Q: What do the Ninth Avenue Cycle Track, Michael Bloomberg, Clarence the Purple Traffic Calming Wizard and Tyra Banks have in common?
April 18, 2008
Streetfilms: A Look at Bus Rapid Transit in L.A.
Nick Whitaker files this first in a series of Streetfilms on transportation for Streetsblog Los Angeles. Here, we hear from LA City Council Member Wendy Greuel, Director of LA County Regional Transit Planning Rex Gephardt, and Executive Director of the Transit Coalition, Bart Reed, on how the city's burgeoning Bus Rapid Transit system can be a stepping stone to expanding future transportation choices.
April 11, 2008
Protected Bike Lanes Win TreeHugger Stamp of Approval
This classic StreetFilm by Clarence Eckerson, Jr., "The Case for Separated Bike Lanes" (original release date: February 17, 2007), is enjoying a renaissance this week. First, a post on TaketheTooker featured the film and sparked a discussion about the merits of bike lanes compared to riding in traffic. Then TreeHugger picked up the thread and posted a survey, asking whether protected lanes would encourage cycling.
April 4, 2008
Streetfilms: “Lounging on High” in Wodonga, Australia
David Engwicht is a livable streets philosopher and author. Creator of the Walking School Bus, Mental Speed Bumps
and many other innovative ways of taming traffic and increasing
pedestrian safety, he has taken on “the challenge of a lifetime” to
revitalize the downtown district of Wodonga, a small city in Australia
often referred to as “Struggle Town” in comparison to its sister city
Albury just across the Murray River.
March 26, 2008