The City of San Mateo has recently initiated a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of a citywide bikeways master plan. The RFP was issued on November 5, and the contract is expected to be awarded January 22, 2010.
As demand grows for rail transit in this country grows, discussion is also increasing on how we should finance and manage it. William Lind, a public transportation advocate agrues that we are looking at the wrong metrics when evaluating public transit.
The City of Menlo Park has sent a letter to the California High Speed Rail Authority asking that they rail alignment through Menlo Park be placed underground. According to an article in the Almanac newspaper, the city decided to make a formal statement after conducting sufficient public outreach.
With one absence from the vote, the council voted 3-1 in favor of sending the formal notice to the High Speed Rail Authority.
After more than 25,000 suggestions, Google has announced the finalists in the Google Street View Trike vote.
The Google Trike takes Street View photos similar to those seen on U.S. roadways, but now ventures out to trails, campuses, parks, and zoos. In fact, according to the Google Maps blog titled LatLong, college campuses represented 44% of all suggestions.
SVBC's own Didrik Hoag was quoted in a Wednesday article in the San Francisco Examiner titled, "Bike lanes are seeing red".
Are you a concerned Peninsula cyclist? Want to have your say about freeway overpass design?
A little bit of Copenhagen came to the Bay Area yesterday. Mikael Coleville-Andersen spoke to a packed room of about 100 people at the San Francisco office of SPUR (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association).
Coleville-Andersen is the publisher of the increasing popular blogs Copenhagen Cycle Chic and Copenhagenize as well as the producer of the music video "Copenhagen - City of Cyclists." Copenhagen Cycle Chic's popularity stems from the fact that residents of Copenhagen don't view themselves or identify themselves as cyclists, but just average Danes who just happen to get around by bike.
Just wanted to post this to show everyone what could be done in San Jose, during hockey games or at future ball games.
When we talk about progressive bike cities; places such as Portland, Davis, Montreal, and Seattle always come to mind; but New York, yes New York has made some amazing progress in the last three years.
City planners for years have resorted to the auto-centric measure of performance known as LOS, or level of service. If the increase in auto traffic causes roadways or intersections to jam, no problem; widen the roadway or add another lane. But just like in the movies; if you build it they will come. Creating more capacity just creates more traffic, causing a deterioration in LOS (expressed as a letter grade from A through F).
In this video from 1937 Copenhagen we can see why the Danes are such avid cyclists; a beautiful city, ample bike ways, and the lack of roadways designed only for cars, make this Danish capital a cyclist's wonderland. Bikes appear to outnumber cars by 30:1! Skip to 6:10 on the slider to witness the Copenhagen daily bike party.
Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day in the Silicon Valley. I was out and about on my own bike in downtown San Jose, when I ran into a group of riders massing for what looked like a ride around town. About 18 riders were hanging out a city hall when I asked, "What are you all waiting for?". A rider replied, "Waiting for our bike skills class to start."
In today's New York Times, an article highlights the effect that the current reccession, demographic shifts, and changes to the environment has had on domestic auto sales. Even taking into account the federal government's Cash for Clunkers program this has been a disastrous year for automakers.
While describing the beautiful Monterey Bay Trail to a friend this weekend, I noticed on Google Maps that the trail was actually labeled the “Monterey Bay Coastal Trail” on a whim I moved the little yellow stick figure over to the trail, magically illuminating the trail in the familiar Street View Blue outline. The trail was now transformed into “trail view” mode, highlighting scenic spots along the route. Also user generated photos were displayed in their appropriate locations along the route.
In case you haven't noticed my brief bio on this site, I thought I would take this moment to give you some additional insight in my role here at SVBC. Having worked in the bicycle industry, participated in Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees, and worked with other bike advocates around the country and the world, I hope I can contribute to SVBC's goals.
