Green Options » transit

How Do Brits Like to Be Green?

Zachary Shahan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:16:43 +0000

How do Brits like to be green, and what green behaviors do they still avoid?

That’s what a new survey by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), and the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) is showing us by examining the environmental actions and preferences of 100,000 British people from 40,000 households.

The findings presented below are the first from a new annual household survey in Britain named Understanding Society. The environmental topics are one subset of the whole survey, which also examines the “working lives, relationships, health, finances, neighbourhoods, education, transport and more” of Brits.

What are the main findings thus far?

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TWTC: Developments on Atlanta’s Beltline

Becky Striepe — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:47 +0000

Rhonda and I have gotten to talking, and it turns out that despite living on opposite sides of the country, our neighborhoods have a lot in common. She lives in the Bayview area of San Francisco, CA and I’m living in Edgewood, just east of downtown in Atlanta, GA.

We thought it would make for a cool project to talk about the ups and downs of trying to live sustainably in our different cities.

This week, we’re taking a look at development and how it’s affecting our areas. Later on this week, Rhonda is going to do a brief overview of the planned redevelopment project for Bayview, specifically focusing on the 4000 page Environmental Impact Report.

Here in Atlanta, I’m digging in to see how the economy is affecting development of the 22-mile Beltline and taking a look at what the candidates in our upcoming December 1st runoff election have to say about the proposed system of light rail, trails, and planned development.

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Transit Use Boom, but in Some Surprising Cities

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:44:03 +0000

Transit use boomed from 2006-2008, but not in traditionally transit-friendly areas. This shows hope for more transit use in traditionally car-oriented places in the US in the future.

An analysis of the most recent transit use data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that transit use grew by up to 47% in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. from 2006-2008, with several metro regions in the South and West growing by more than 10%.

The South and West, being more dominated by automobile-oriented development and auto use, have historically struggled to get significant transit ridership. However, the top ten cities with the highest recent increase in ridership include several metro areas in the South and West, including Charlotte, NC (47%), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (26.7%), Pheonix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ (23.6%), San Antonio, TX (15.1%) and others. This seems to shine a light of hope on increased transit use in the southern and western U.S. in the future.

First, however, why are we seeing a boom in these places?

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#3 Portland, Oregon (USA): Great Bicycle City Photo Tour

Zachary Shahan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:53:01 +0000

With bike weddings, bike parades, hundreds of naked bicyclists, bike fashion shows, popular & interesting cargo bikes, and travelling bike pubs, Portland is #3 on this great bicycle city photo tours list.

Portland has great bicycle facilities (colored bike lanes, bike boxes at intersections, great bike signs, off-road bicycle paths, etc.), a large number of people using the bicycle for transportation, and a bike culture that brings the fun of bicycling to another level.

As a result of these factors and more, Portland was the first large city in the US to achieve the Platinum level Bike Friendly award from the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) — the Platinum level being the highest level possible (above Gold, Silver and Bronze). It is truly a world-class bicycle city now, and the amazing photos in this photo tour help to show that.

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Walkscore’s New Transit Rating and How You Can Help

Becky Striepe — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:00:04 +0000

Walkscore rates a neighborhood’s walkability on a 1 to 100 scale based on a number of criteria such as proximity to restaurants and grocery stores. Now, they’ve added a transit rating which takes into account a neighborhood’s public transportation options!

Awesome, right? The idea is to “measure how easy it is to live a car-lite lifestyle,” so adding a transit component makes sense. Maybe you can’t hoof it to the grocery store, but you can walk to a train station that takes you to a farmers market. You can still do your thing car-free!

So why do they need our help?

Read more of this story »

Super High Speed Rail for China — $4 Billion Purchase

Zachary Shahan — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:15:14 +0000

China just awarded Bombardier Sifang a contract to build 80 “very high speed trains” for the country.

These are super progressive trains that are energy efficient as well as lightning fast. China intends to invest a total of $300 billion in high speed trains by 2020.

Read more of this story »

This Bus Bike Rack Rap Rocks

Rhonda Winter — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:11:36 +0000

My happy transportation moment of the week came when I stumbled across this most excellent song on the Muni Diaries. The rap was created for the Transit Authority of River City in Louisville, Kentucky to explain how to use the bike racks on their buses. The infectious chorus has been stuck in my head all week: “Bring it down, pull the bar, put it on, put it on, take it off, put it up when you’re done, then you’re done…”

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

Bike Wedding Parades

Bike Fairy Pedicabs

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man’s brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.” ~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

Bike Halftime Shows

Bands on Bikes

Bike Parades

Bike Street Clowns

“After your first day of cycling, one dream is inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round and round they seem to go. You ride through Dreamland on wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow.” ~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance

Green Bike Lanes with Bike Boxes, Dutch Style

Blue Bike Lanes at Major Intersections, Copenhagen Style

Bike Lane Stencil — Bike & Golf

Bike Lane Stencil — Juggling on a Bike

Artistic Bike Racks

Good Signage for Bicyclists

Great Bicycle & Pedestrian Lanes on a Bridge

On Hawthorne Bridge. The photographer writes: “This clear signage allows a wide sidewalk on a bridge to be safely shared between bikes and pedestrian traffic.”

Bikes on Transit

From the photographer: “MAX trains essentially have have three kinds of carriages: two kinds of low-floor carriages and one kind of high-floor carriage.

Each MAX train consists of just two carriages (they are short because Portland city blocks are so short), and one carriage is guaranteed to be a low-floor carriage (only the low floor carriage are suitable for folks with disabilities). But… only the low floor carriages have hooks (you can stand on the high-floor ones). Each low floor carriages has 4 hooks, so a train has 4 or 8 good places to hang a bike and relax.”

Image Credit 1: poetas via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: Shannon Henry via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: Brewcaster via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 7: hradcanska via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 8: Mark Stosberg via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 9: brianellin via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 10: mokolabs via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 11: Mark Stosberg via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 12: Major Clanger via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Bike Fashion Shows

Image Credit 1: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 7: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 8: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 9: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 10: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 11: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 12: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Bike Tattoos

Bike Art

Bike Fish or Fish Bike (not sure)

“When I go biking, I repeat a mantra of the day’s sensations: bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, blue jay’s call, ice melting and so on. This helps me transcend the traffic, ignore the clamorings of work, leave all the mind theaters behind and focus on nature instead. I still must abide by the rules of the road, of biking, of gravity. But I am mentally far away from civilization. The world is breaking someone else’s heart.” ~Diane Ackerman

Bike Art?

Image Credit 1: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: vj_pdx via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: Philosophographlux via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: Ben Amstutz via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Fun Family Bicycling

“A bicycle does get you there and more…. And there is always the thin edge of danger to keep you alert and comfortably apprehensive. Dogs become dogs again and snap at your raincoat; potholes become personal. And getting there is all the fun.” ~Bill Emerson, “On Bicycling,” Saturday Evening Post, 29 July 1967

Image Credit 1: EthanPDX via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: drwhimsy via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: cafemama via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: qousqous via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: Philosophographlux via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 7: Mark Stosberg via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Naked Bicycling Events

Donuts on Bikes

Beer by Bike

Pizza Delivery

Bike-Thru Window at Black Sheep Bakery, no Cars

Image Credit 1: Anomalily via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: Elly Blue via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: Elly Blue via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: chrispyworld via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Bike on Bike

Got a Package to Pick Up? Get It on Your Bike

Bike Delivery

From the photographer: “B-Line PDX is a new local business that is looking to change how Portland businesses deliver goods across town. They got two huge cargo bikes and the clients are already rolling in.”

Cool Cargo Bike

Dutch-Style Cargo Bike

More Cargo Bikes

Both of these for sale at a downtown bicycle shop, Portland Tricycles.

Cargo Bike in Snow

Cleaning Service by Bike

Recycling on Bike

Image Credit 1: gregraisman via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: gregraisman via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: timmycorkery via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: gabriel amadeus via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: NathanBackous via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 7: Mark Stosberg via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 8: Portland Pedalworks via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 9: Portland Pedalworks via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 10: npGREENWAY via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 11: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 12: Philosophographlux via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Off-Road Biking Safer for Bikes than Cars

“Until mountain biking came along, the bike scene was ruled by a small elite cadre of people who seemed allergic to enthusiasm.” ~Jacquie Phelan

If you liked this photo tour, you are sure to like the previous ones as well:

#4 Copenhagen (Denmark)
#5 Paris (France)
#6 Groningen (the Netherlands)
#7 Berlin (Germany)
#8 Barcelona (Spain)
#9 Bogota (Columbia)
#10 Basel (Switzerland)

And be sure not to miss the top two photo tours! Keep your eye on EcoWorldly or subscribe to its feed or email list to make sure you don’t miss them or other upcoming posts. Have something extra to add? Comment below!

Image Credit: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Riding on the Bus

Rhonda Winter — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:31:48 +0000

Streetfilms recently created a poignant and inspiring profile of Seattle PI blogger Carla Saulter, also known as “Bus Chick“. Carla writes about her transit experiences riding everywhere on the bus with her daughter Rosa (named after Rosa Parks) and her husband, Adam; Carla actually met her husband while they were both riding on the same bus together. This short film by Clarence Eckerson Jr. shows just how easy and enjoyable it can be to live without a car, and the many added benefits of riding on mass transit.

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

An Ode to the 38 Geary Bus

My other favorite transportation item this week is “Sometimes on the 38″, a great song by San Francisco musician, Shane Papatolicas; the lyrics chronicle his varied experiences riding on the 38 Geary bus in San Francisco. Here is a link to the catchy music on another local transit blog that is also worth reading, the Muni Diaries.

Bike Wedding Parades

Bike Fairy Pedicabs

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man’s brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.” ~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

Bike Halftime Shows

Bands on Bikes

Bike Parades

Bike Street Clowns

“After your first day of cycling, one dream is inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round and round they seem to go. You ride through Dreamland on wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow.” ~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance

Green Bike Lanes with Bike Boxes, Dutch Style

Blue Bike Lanes at Major Intersections, Copenhagen Style

Bike Lane Stencil — Bike & Golf

Bike Lane Stencil — Juggling on a Bike

Artistic Bike Racks

Good Signage for Bicyclists

Great Bicycle & Pedestrian Lanes on a Bridge

On Hawthorne Bridge. The photographer writes: “This clear signage allows a wide sidewalk on a bridge to be safely shared between bikes and pedestrian traffic.”

Bikes on Transit

From the photographer: “MAX trains essentially have have three kinds of carriages: two kinds of low-floor carriages and one kind of high-floor carriage.

Bike Fashion Shows

Bike Tattoos

Bike Art

Bike Fish or Fish Bike (not sure)

“When I go biking, I repeat a mantra of the day’s sensations: bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, blue jay’s call, ice melting and so on. This helps me transcend the traffic, ignore the clamorings of work, leave all the mind theaters behind and focus on nature instead. I still must abide by the rules of the road, of biking, of gravity. But I am mentally far away from civilization. The world is breaking someone else’s heart.” ~Diane Ackerman

Bike Art?

Fun Family Bicycling

“A bicycle does get you there and more…. And there is always the thin edge of danger to keep you alert and comfortably apprehensive. Dogs become dogs again and snap at your raincoat; potholes become personal. And getting there is all the fun.” ~Bill Emerson, “On Bicycling,” Saturday Evening Post, 29 July 1967

Naked Bicycling Events

Donuts on Bikes

Beer by Bike

Pizza Delivery

Bike-Thru Window at Black Sheep Bakery, no Cars

Bike on Bike

Got a Package to Pick Up? Get It on Your Bike

Bike Delivery

Cool Cargo Bike

Dutch-Style Cargo Bike

More Cargo Bikes

Both of these for sale at a downtown bicycle shop, Portland Tricycles.

Cargo Bike in Snow

Cleaning Service by Bike

Recycling on Bike

Off-Road Biking Safer for Bikes than Cars

“Until mountain biking came along, the bike scene was ruled by a small elite cadre of people who seemed allergic to enthusiasm.” ~Jacquie Phelan

If you liked this photo tour, you are sure to like the previous ones as well:

#4 Copenhagen (Denmark)
#5 Paris (France)
#6 Groningen (the Netherlands)
#7 Berlin (Germany)
#8 Barcelona (Spain)
#9 Bogota (Columbia)
#10 Basel (Switzerland)

Image Credit: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Car-Free Market Street Is Closer to Reality

Rhonda Winter — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:12:55 +0000

My long held fantasy of a car-free Market Street became just a little closer to reality today. A transit improvement report was just approved by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority that encourages travel by bus, foot and bicycle along this busy thoroughfare. District 6 Supervisor Chris Daly, who requested the report, expressed his support for the positive changes being implemented that will limit car traffic on Market. “It will feel pretty good to see some progress, albeit incremental progress on Market Street,” he said.

A glorious car-free Market Street in June of 2008 after the queer pride parade.

I could not agree more, and am eagerly anticipating the upcoming changes; they can’t come quickly enough. Cars make us fat. The more we can increase walking, biking and mass transit use, the healthier our citizens will be, and the more livable and sustainable both our city and world will become.

Bike Wedding Parades

Bike Fairy Pedicabs

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man’s brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.” ~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

Bike Halftime Shows

Bands on Bikes

Bike Parades

Bike Street Clowns

“After your first day of cycling, one dream is inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round and round they seem to go. You ride through Dreamland on wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow.” ~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance

Green Bike Lanes with Bike Boxes, Dutch Style

Blue Bike Lanes at Major Intersections, Copenhagen Style

Bike Lane Stencil — Bike & Golf

Bike Lane Stencil — Juggling on a Bike

Artistic Bike Racks

Good Signage for Bicyclists

Great Bicycle & Pedestrian Lanes on a Bridge

On Hawthorne Bridge. The photographer writes: “This clear signage allows a wide sidewalk on a bridge to be safely shared between bikes and pedestrian traffic.”

Bikes on Transit

From the photographer: “MAX trains essentially have have three kinds of carriages: two kinds of low-floor carriages and one kind of high-floor carriage.

Bike Fashion Shows

Bike Tattoos

Bike Art

Bike Fish or Fish Bike (not sure)

“When I go biking, I repeat a mantra of the day’s sensations: bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, blue jay’s call, ice melting and so on. This helps me transcend the traffic, ignore the clamorings of work, leave all the mind theaters behind and focus on nature instead. I still must abide by the rules of the road, of biking, of gravity. But I am mentally far away from civilization. The world is breaking someone else’s heart.” ~Diane Ackerman

Bike Art?

Fun Family Bicycling

“A bicycle does get you there and more…. And there is always the thin edge of danger to keep you alert and comfortably apprehensive. Dogs become dogs again and snap at your raincoat; potholes become personal. And getting there is all the fun.” ~Bill Emerson, “On Bicycling,” Saturday Evening Post, 29 July 1967

Naked Bicycling Events

Donuts on Bikes

Beer by Bike

Pizza Delivery

Bike-Thru Window at Black Sheep Bakery, no Cars

Bike on Bike

Got a Package to Pick Up? Get It on Your Bike

Bike Delivery

Cool Cargo Bike

Dutch-Style Cargo Bike

More Cargo Bikes

Both of these for sale at a downtown bicycle shop, Portland Tricycles.

Cargo Bike in Snow

Cleaning Service by Bike

Recycling on Bike

Off-Road Biking Safer for Bikes than Cars

“Until mountain biking came along, the bike scene was ruled by a small elite cadre of people who seemed allergic to enthusiasm.” ~Jacquie Phelan

If you liked this photo tour, you are sure to like the previous ones as well:

#4 Copenhagen (Denmark)
#5 Paris (France)
#6 Groningen (the Netherlands)
#7 Berlin (Germany)
#8 Barcelona (Spain)
#9 Bogota (Columbia)
#10 Basel (Switzerland)

Image Credit: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Eco-Friendly Rail for Disneyland and Anaheim

Zachary Shahan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:00:08 +0000

A model of clean technology and green building, a rail center planned for Anaheim, CA in 2013 will also provide a link to Disneyland. Taking design cues from NYC’s Grand Central Station, the building will also be a centerpiece of Anaheim and a site to see in itself.

Read more of this story »

What Is a Good City?

Rhonda Winter — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:51:14 +0000

That was one of the many probing questions that the visionary former mayor of Bogotá Colombia, Enrique Peñalosa, asked a packed auditorium in San Francisco last night. How do we define what makes a good city, what is our criteria? What makes an urban environment desirable and livable, and how do we judge the quality of life? What is socially and environmentally sustainable?

Read more of this story »

SF Muni Fares Go Up on July 1st

Rhonda Winter — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:39:47 +0000

The first time that I rode on San Francisco’s Muni it cost me a quarter, complete with a two hour unlimited transfer. Even as a clueless adolescent, I thought that was a pretty good deal. Mass transit ridership is skyrocketing all over the country, as more and more people are utilizing more sustainable methods of transport and bicycles. A few weeks ago, when I saw this notice that Muni fares will be going up to two dollars on July 1st, the first thing that I thought was: “I actually feel pretty good about spending two bucks of my meager resources to ride the streetcar. I want to support my local transit agency and help it to be a success.” Man, I am getting old.

Bike Wedding Parades

Bike Fairy Pedicabs

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man’s brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.” ~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

Bike Halftime Shows

Bands on Bikes

Bike Parades

Bike Street Clowns

“After your first day of cycling, one dream is inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round and round they seem to go. You ride through Dreamland on wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow.” ~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance

Green Bike Lanes with Bike Boxes, Dutch Style

Blue Bike Lanes at Major Intersections, Copenhagen Style

Bike Lane Stencil — Bike & Golf

Bike Lane Stencil — Juggling on a Bike

Artistic Bike Racks

Good Signage for Bicyclists

Great Bicycle & Pedestrian Lanes on a Bridge

On Hawthorne Bridge. The photographer writes: “This clear signage allows a wide sidewalk on a bridge to be safely shared between bikes and pedestrian traffic.”

Bikes on Transit

From the photographer: “MAX trains essentially have have three kinds of carriages: two kinds of low-floor carriages and one kind of high-floor carriage.

Bike Fashion Shows

Bike Tattoos

Bike Art

Bike Fish or Fish Bike (not sure)

“When I go biking, I repeat a mantra of the day’s sensations: bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, blue jay’s call, ice melting and so on. This helps me transcend the traffic, ignore the clamorings of work, leave all the mind theaters behind and focus on nature instead. I still must abide by the rules of the road, of biking, of gravity. But I am mentally far away from civilization. The world is breaking someone else’s heart.” ~Diane Ackerman

Bike Art?

Fun Family Bicycling

“A bicycle does get you there and more…. And there is always the thin edge of danger to keep you alert and comfortably apprehensive. Dogs become dogs again and snap at your raincoat; potholes become personal. And getting there is all the fun.” ~Bill Emerson, “On Bicycling,” Saturday Evening Post, 29 July 1967

Naked Bicycling Events

Donuts on Bikes

Beer by Bike

Pizza Delivery

Bike-Thru Window at Black Sheep Bakery, no Cars

Bike on Bike

Got a Package to Pick Up? Get It on Your Bike

Bike Delivery

Cool Cargo Bike

Dutch-Style Cargo Bike

More Cargo Bikes

Both of these for sale at a downtown bicycle shop, Portland Tricycles.

Cargo Bike in Snow

Cleaning Service by Bike

Recycling on Bike

Off-Road Biking Safer for Bikes than Cars

“Until mountain biking came along, the bike scene was ruled by a small elite cadre of people who seemed allergic to enthusiasm.” ~Jacquie Phelan

If you liked this photo tour, you are sure to like the previous ones as well:

#4 Copenhagen (Denmark)
#5 Paris (France)
#6 Groningen (the Netherlands)
#7 Berlin (Germany)
#8 Barcelona (Spain)
#9 Bogota (Columbia)
#10 Basel (Switzerland)

Image Credit: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

SF Bike Plan Unanimously Approved by the MTA Board

Rhonda Winter — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:40:50 +0000

Hundreds of ordinary citizens, as well as scores of environmental and bicycle advocates, packed the fourth floor of San Francisco City Hall today for the SFMTA’s hearing on the city’s long-awaited Bike Plan.

The Board heard hours of impassioned public comment in support of implementing the city’s desperately needed Bike Network; they voted unanimously this afternoon to approve the Bike Plan EIR and finally adopt the complete Bike Plan.

Read more of this story »

London Plans Bicycle Sharing Program

The Guardian Environment Network — Sun, 03 May 2009 11:56:52 +0000

London wants to allow cyclists to pick up one of 6,000 bikes at the 400 docking stations planned for the capital by 2010.

Londoners will soon be able to hire bikes in the centre of town for short journeys, under plans announced this week by the mayor, Boris Johnson.

Read more of this story »

The Podcar: A Cross Between a Taxi and a Personal Bus

Amiel Blajchman — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:53:04 +0000

Masdar City, located within Abu Dhabi, is introducing personal rapid transit “podcars“.

Basically, a cross between the convenience of grabbing a cab and a public bus; the podcars will be a component of Masdar City’s public transportation system.

As part of Masdar City’s car-free design; these podcars will be part of a network of electric taxis without drivers (!). The first of these podcars (also known as personal rapid transit - PRT) are set to debut this year.

Read more of this story »

Obama Unveils Our High Speed Rail Future

Rhonda Winter — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:03:28 +0000

Compared to most other industrialized countries, the rail infrastructure system in the United States is only in its most stunted infancy.

President Obama’s stimulus package, however, is now going to help bring our nation’s transit system into the 21st century. Nine billion dollars has been allocated over the next five years to begin building a faster and cleaner high speed rail network that will not only provide many needed jobs, but will also give us more sustainable transit options and help to make us more competitive internationally.

Read more of this story »

Local Atlanta Activists Organize Ride MARTA Day this Friday

Becky Striepe — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:00:40 +0000

It’s slightly short notice, I know, but this Friday is Ride MARTA Day here in Atlanta!

A group of local activists is working to help raise awareness about MARTA and speak out against the threatened service cuts. They hope folks will pull together this Friday to boost ridership, introduce new riders to the system, and get folks thinking about the MARTA crisis. Check out more details and what you can do to help after the jump!

Read more of this story »

Possible Bailout for Atlanta Transit System

Becky Striepe — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:00:07 +0000

Regional officials are talking about using $25 million in bailout money to help MARTA cover its operating costs.

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) recommended last week that funds earmarked for transit improvements go towards keeping MARTA afloat. The transit system is unable to cover its budget shortfall and operating costs, due to strict regulations on how it spends its revenue. MARTA gets the bulk of its funding from sales tax revenue, and it’s required to spend 50% on operating costs and 50% on capital expenses. This $25 million dollars would be a band aid fix, but it certainly beats cutting a day of service, like the MARTA board was proposing.

Not everyone is thrilled about this idea.

Read more of this story »

Tell Georgia Governor Perdue to Make Transit a Priority

Becky Striepe — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:00:41 +0000

Governor Sonny Perdue is refusing MARTA officials’ request for a special session to address the crisis affecting Atlanta transit.

According to this story from the AJC, the Governor says that, “Special sessions are something we shy away from.” He said that his transportation staff met with MARTA officials, but he will not hold a special session to help the transit system address its financial woes. As a commenter on the AJC article pointed out, Perdue was happy to call a special session in 2006 when a judge struck down Georgia’s gay marriage ban. Maybe Perdue meant he tries to avoid special sessions when the issue at hand isn’t one that matters to him?

I gave Governor Perdue a piece of my mind, and you can get heard too! Here’s the letter I sent to his office and contact info so you can send one of your own.

Read more of this story »

Atlanta Transit Facing Service Cuts

Becky Striepe — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:00:16 +0000

Strict restrictions on how MARTA spends its revenue mean the system can’t afford to pay for its operating costs.

[Waiting for the Train. Creative Commons photo by Wesley Fryer]

The General Assembly voted down Senate Bill 120, which would have allowed MARTA to tap into $65 million in capital reserve funds. Since the system receives absolutely no state funding, it relies heavily on sales tax revenue to stay afloat. It’s a state restriction that is tying up the much needed money: MARTA is required to spend 50% of its revenue on operating costs and 50% on capital expenses. The really infuriating part of this vote is that the bill failed for reasons that had nothing to do with Atlanta’s transit system.

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