Blog
The future of Caltrain
Jan 25, 2011As people may have read about already--Caltrain is facing a major funding shortfall that will affect schedules and service as early as this July.
It's very unusual that a major commuter rail does not have a dedicated funding source. Caltrain has been jointly funded since the early nineties (the last time it had a funding emergency) by VTA, SamTrans, and Muni--the transit organizations... read the whole blog post.
A history of bikes on Caltrain
Jan 19, 2011In a recent meeting of the Caltrain Bicycle Advisory Committee, Caltrain staff gave a presentation highlighting the history of bicycles on board Caltrain. Here is a timeline from 1977 showing the history of bicycles and Caltrain. The complete Power Point presentation, in pdf format "Caltrain and Bikes" is on the Caltrain website.
1977: Southern Pacific files for abandonment of its San... read the whole blog post.
A Sustainable Communities Strategy primer
Jan 18, 2011Earlier this week, I participated in a meeting of advocates to discuss the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), which seeks to align transportation, land use, and housing policies to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals set forth by California's S.B. 375. The Bay Area's GHG reduction goals are seven percent per capita by 2020 and 15 percent per capita by 2035.
The SCS... read the whole blog post.
Could San Jose learn from New York City?
Jan 17, 2011Bus rapid transit, colored bike lanes, bus arrival video screens, offboard fare collection, elevated linear parks, open streets. No matter where you go in this valley one word that gets bandied about in abundance is the word "innovation." Yes this is true we are innovative, when it related to bits, data packets, efficient coding, etc. But when it comes to urban transportation, public spaces,... read the whole blog post.
Bicycle sharing and infrastructure - key planning issues in 2010
Jan 17, 2011Recently bike sharing programs have been launched in Washington, D.C., Montreal, Denver, and Minneapolis. Soon we will also see bike share programs in Boston, San Francisco, New York and yes even in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
In Santa Clara County VTA has allocated funds for a pilot project around Diridon Station and the downtown business area. In San Mateo County expect to... read the whole blog post.
ViaVelo fixie tricks make me long for springtime and open streets
Jan 17, 2011I just stumbled across this footage from the fixie trick jam at last year's ViaVelo. Seeing those crowds of people gathered 'round to watch the tricks made me remember what a great day it was. I heard plenty of people who had never seen a 180 on a track bike (and didn't know what a track bike was), telling each other how much fun they were having at San José's first open streets event.
... read the whole blog post.Blast from the past - bicycles in the news in 1938
Jan 17, 2011"Small boys and girls should not be allowed to ride their bicycles on the sidewalk" was the opinion of one San Jose mother in a January 11, 1938 San Jose Evening News article (on page 19 of 24). Although the number of children who ride or walk to school has decreased since this 1938 editorial was written, bicycle safety for children is a growing concern given the congestion that has increased... read the whole blog post.
Help for cities in these tough times - building bike lanes creates jobs
Jan 13, 2011Today U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood commented on his blog Fast Lane that "pedestrian and bicycle projects created nearly twice as many jobs per dollar spent than traditional road projects."
Secretary LaHood, who many bicycle advocates know from his famous table top speech at last year's National Bike Summit, reported that the city of Baltimore found that on-... read the whole blog post.
Speaking before a public agency.
Jan 13, 2011When speaking or commenting publicly to an agency, town, or city council remember that you may speak to the board or council about any item that is on the agenda, but only when that board has reached the point in the meeting to consider that item.
You may also speak during Open Forum on items that are not on the agenda and are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the board. By law... read the whole blog post.
City of Los Altos to discuss the future of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Jan 11, 2011Tonight the city of Los Altos in a special joint meeting will consider the fate of the city's bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee. The meeting is so special it will not be held in the council chambers but in the Neutra House (181 Hillview Avenue), a short walk away.
The city has scheduled tonight's joint meeting to discuss the issues. As I mentioned in a previous posting, many... read the whole blog post.