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"We Need to Fix This Now"
The urgency of safe streets for all has been amplified in recent months with high-profile fatalities — or series of fatalities — in a number of communities. From Portland to Houston to Vermont, advocates are elevating the life or death issue with strong statements and direct actions demanding civic leaders prioritize bicyclist and pedestrian safety — now. In this week's Roundup, we share news about Vision Zero, the importance of thorough police investigations, bills aimed at improving (or undermining) bike/ped safety... and more.
Bike Houston demonstration
Equity Intersection
Bike Easy in New Orleans began the roll out of its new Claiborne Corridor Ambassadors program. "Nearly half the people living, working, and going to school in the Claiborne Corridor do not own a car and rely on walking, biking, and taking public transit... The Claiborne Corridor Ambassador Program will work to understand community residents’ needs and desires for changes and improvements to their local streets and... create a more inclusive process for public engagement." Read more.
Anthony Taylor, vice president of the National Brotherhood of Cyclists, spoke to the League about the organization's upcoming conference and its "Equity in Motion" research project.
The New Jersey Bike + Walk Coalition came out against a New Jersey Transit fare hike, citing its negative impact on bicyclists, pedestrians and low-income residents.
Bikemore in Baltimore criticized the Governor's decision to not build the Red Line rail project, saying it's "unconscionable that a public servant would support more resources to some of the wealthiest zip codes in the country, but keep Maryland residents most in need of improved access to jobs in the cold."
PeopleForBikes announced its latest round of Community Grant recipients, including support for Slow Roll Chicago's "Bike Shift Youth Leadership Program" aimed at engaging teens in advocacy, community organizing and bicycle planning on the Windy City's Southeast Side (picture below).
Advocacy Avenue
In the wake of multiple fatalities in a matter of weeks and in the midst of the city's first bike planning process in years, Bike Houston is taking a strong stand for increased bike safety, demanding "We need to fix this now."
In response to three fatal crashes in three months in Vermont, Local Motion laid out a three-point plan to address bicycle and pedestrian safety.
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition outlined the importance of thorough police investigations of bicycle crashes and its work to "usher in a new era for how our police help achieve truly safe streets for all."
BikeSD celebrated Mayor Kevin Faulconer's public commitment to Vision Zero, making San Diego the sixth major city to do so.
As part of its push for Vision Zero, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia released a new report breaking down traffic crashes by neighborhood and district.
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition joined Google on public radio to discuss the tech giant's ambitious Bike Vision Plan.
Legislation Lane
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association reported progress on the city's (somewhat confusingly named) Motor Vehicle Recovery Act, which would enable injured bicycle crash victims to recover damages after an incident.
A statewide 3-foot passing law made progress in the Ohio state legislature...
... while a bicycle-friendly economic development bill stalled in the Delaware General Assembly.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine celebrated Governor LePage signing the state's new Vulnerable [Road] User law.
California advocates are pushing for a "Yellow Alert" bill in the statehouse that would "permit the emergency alert system to be activated following a hit-and-run collision that results in a fatality or serious injury to a victim."
Transportation Alternatives mobilized against a surprise bill in their state legislature that would gut New York City's right of way law and erase pedestrians' protection in the crosswalk (demonstration photo below).
Infrastructure Inlet
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition marked the city's approval of $11 million to launch a bike share system in downtown L.A.
The Active Transportation Alliance called attention to a stretch of Chicago street where a "Green Wave" will time traffic signals so a person traveling at a set speed on a bike will only hit green lights.
The New Jersey Bike + Walk Coalition celebrated the resurrection of New Jersey’s first parking-protected bike lanes in Newark.
The Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition cheered the approval of construction on the new Border to Border Trail, just east of downtown Ypsilanti.
The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition applauded the unanimous approval of an ambitious protected bikeways plan by the City Council's Transportation and Public Works Committee.
In pursuit of “Bikeways for Everybody” the Boston Cyclist Union, working with local residents, released the first of five proposals for cross-town bikeways (below).
Programming Promenade
Bike Pittsburgh introduced Positive Spin, a youth cycling program "to engage, motivate, and empower under-resourced youth to create positive community change through exercise, education, and advocacy."
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia shared the findings of its 2014 Bike Counts, noting that "bicycling is still on the increase in Philadelphia."
Bike&Walk Montclair announced its partnership role in the city's first Open Streets MTC event slated for September.
Speaking of September and Open Streets...
Just sayin'
Bike Calgary threw a pop-up party for the launch of new pilot cycletracks.
Bike Newport helped debut a new public awareness campaign with a friendly twist.
Coming and Goings
Nelle Pierson will serve as Interim Executive Director while the Washington Area Bicyclist Association transitions from Shane Farthing's leadership.
Jobs
Walk/Bike Nashville is seeking a Program Coordinator.
The state and local biking and walking advocacy movement is growing. Check out the Alliance for Biking & Walking job board for listings all over North America.
Trailer
Pope Francis = Bike/ped advocate
