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"A Visionary Among Visionaries"

It was with a very heavy heart that we shared the passing of Deb Hubsmith, a visionary leader, vibrant spirit and founder of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership this week. Deb was at the heart and soul of our People Powered Movement -- a tireless partner and catalyst to local and national advocates -- and we are deeply grateful for her unparalleled leadership and her inspiring legacy that will impact the lives of countless Americans for years to come. As the California Bicycle Coalition put it, Deb was a "visionary among visionaries" who will eternally inspire us "to fight harder for a better world."

Equity Intersection

Rob Sadowsky, executive director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, examined the worthy concept of the "20-minute neighborhood" within the critical context of equity, arguing that "we need to start out by focusing on neighborhoods that are farthest from that dream as part of our commitment to right historic inequities and to combat the disparities that these communities face in public health and safety."

The Active Transportation Alliance rallied supporters behind the proposed SouthEast Service (SES) line, "a transformational project for the south suburbs, one of the most underserved areas in the Chicago region’s rapid transit network."

Bike Easy and NOLA Women on Bikes released a toolkit and presentation on their Youth Spokeswoman program, thanks to a Women Bike mini-grant from the League of American Bicyclists.

According to Bicycle Colorado, "Women Bike Colorado is blowing up."

Bike Easy Intern and Youth Spokeswoman, Damu Curtis

Advocacy Avenue

A great new report from TransitCenter — A People's History of Recent Urban Transportation Innovation — highlights how "local advocacy and civic engagement were a necessary prerequisite for revitalizing urban transportation," with major shout-outs to Alliance member organizations like Transportation Alternatives, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Bike Pittsburgh. 

The Active Transportation Alliance lifted up the work of its Northwest Active Transportation Council, which recently helped restore safe bicycle access to Busse Woods, a popular recreational trail and key commute corridor, after a path was closed off by construction activity.

Mode Shift Omaha put pressure on officials to reconsider placing traffic light sensors in crosswalks, incentivizing motorists to creep into pedestrians space. "It's a ridiculous and unsafe practice that defeats the purpose of marking a crosswalk. Let's phase it out."

Speaking of ridiculous: In Nashville, it costs a mere $10 per week to close a block of sidewalk. "Many developers and construction companies opt to pay the fee rather than build alternative, convenient and safe routes for pedestrians," Walk Bike Nashville started a campaign, #DontBlockMyWalk, to raise awareness that this practice puts pedestrians in danger.

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association called for better crash reporting after a new study revealed significant flaws. For instance, "the form that the Metropolitan Police Department uses to report crashes does not ask for several pieces of critical information in crashes involving bicycles or pedestrians, including whether a bicyclist was in a bike lane or not."

Bike Pittsburgh's executive director, Scott Bricker, was named one of the 50 most powerful people in Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh Magazine.

To combat a recent surge in media reports that biking is getting more dangerous, the Boston Cyclists Union queried police crash data to show quite the opposite.

Like other cities, as Boston's number of riders has gone up, cycling crashes have gone down

 
Infrastructure Inlet

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition celebrated the approval of a Second Street Improvement Project that includes raised bikeways in the north and southbound directions; sidewalk widening and raised crosswalks at alleyways; and streetscape improvements including rain gardens and street furniture.

Transportation Alternatives came out against the rumored consideration from the Mayor and Police Commissioner to remove the pedestrian plazas in Times Square, noting such a move "would be harmful to New York City’s quality of life and antithetical to Vision Zero."

Bike Denver announced a temporary protected bike lane that will be popping up next month, kicking off a public input process for the Broadway corridor.

Bike Houston mobilized their members to get involved in the transportation planning process by sharing their Top 11 Projects in contention for millions in taxpayer dollars in the region's Transportation Improvement Plan.

Georgia Bikes! shared exciting news out of Columbus, where a city agreement with a local foundation will lead to the construction of 27.5 miles of multi-use paths that will create 12 "links" among local trails.

Community Cycles is galvanizing its members and supporters to speak out in favor of a protected bike lane pilot in Boulder that's in danger of being removed before its test period is up.

Cycle Toronto urged its city council to "adopt protected intersections as a more efficient and safer way to manage the negotiations between cyclists and drivers."

Wyoming Pathways urged the National Park Service to allow fat bikes in Yellowstone National Park.

Second Street in San Francisco will soon see raised bikeways

 
Programming Promenade

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition partnered with AutoReturn, San Francisco’s contracted towing management company, to expand its professional driver education program to nearly 50 of their tow truck drivers.

The Wisconsin Bike Fed debuted the Bici Hub, Milwaukee's first Mobile Bike repair done on a cargo trike with e-assist.

Driven by two recent bicyclist deaths, Bike Fort Collins hosted a bicycle safety Town Hall meeting with 250 people in attendance — and discussion about the potential launch of a Vision Zero campaign.

Bike Easy Bay lifted up a new study "showing that 72% of shoppers walk, bike and take transit to Downtown Berkeley, and they each spend more money than shoppers who drive."

Once again, survey says... people who bike, walk and transit spend more

 
The Wider Streetscape: What We're Reading

Leadership and Large-Scale Change

Tactical Urbanism and the Incredible Potential of Philadelphia’s Neglected Public Pools

Explaining Cultural Appropriation

5 Reasons It's Time for a 4-Day Work Week

Being an Ally Can't be a Fixed State

Jobs

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is seeking an Advocacy Director.

Bike Fort Collins is seeking an Executive Director.

WalkSacramento is seeking an Executive Director.

The Boston Cyclists Union is seeking an Executive Director.

BikeWalkKC is looking for part-time Youth Instructors.

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

Great news: Thanks to our generous sponsors, the reduced rates for the 2015 National Open Streets Summit have been extended for the remainder of registration. Check out the list of sessions and plenaries here — and register by September 4!