Safest big city in America?
For many years San Jose and others have touted that the city is the safest big city in America. This came close to home this morning while attempting to have an outdoor seat at my favorite morning coffee stop. While crossing in a signed crosswalk (complete with flashing lights) on four-lane Lincoln Ave., myself and another coffee shop regular were almost struck by a car that just passed right through the light doing about 25 miles an hour. Even though the light was flashing and the car next to her had made a complete stop she bolted the crosswalk missing us by a foot or two.
These are exciting times for residents of San Jose, but especially for the people who work, visit, and play in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. As we all know, transportation improvements are coming to the Diridon Station area in the form of BART, High Speed Rail, the electrification of Caltrain, and expanded services for Amtrak, the ACE train, and the Capital Corridor.
Recently Copenhagen hosted Velo-City 2010, an annual cycling conference which brings together cycling advocates from around the world. Planners, bike advocates, and transportation officials from North America had an opportunity to see what makes Copenhagen unique amongst cities in designing their city for people. 
While making the trip to Capitol Hill this month, a group of us called on Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who represents the 12th District. District 12 encompasses the western portions of San Francisco and both the coast and bay side areas of San Mateo county, as far south as Redwood City.
Last night I attended the San Jose General Plan Task Force 2040 meeting. The topic for discussion was transportation but specifically mode share and 
