August 11, 2009

On-Street Bike Rack
Boston's first on-street bike rack being installed
(Photo courtesy Boston Biker)

Starting this week, we replace our Highlights section with some editor's commentary, to help tie everything together and point out interesting trends.  I welcome your feedback about whether you prefer this new format or the list of notable articles.

This big news this past week is the unexpected resignation of the T's General Manager, Dan Grabauskas, who has been under pressure recently by the Governor and Transportation Secretary.  Meanwhile, public meetings have begun to solicit input about the previously proposed fare hikes and/or service cuts.  At the same time, transit riders have another tool at their disposal as Boston transit directions are now available on Google Maps.

A Boston Globe article about bicyclists who don't follow the rules of the road has created quite a bit of controversy.  Most agree that better compliance of traffic laws by cyclists is needed, however many feel that it's unfair to single out cyclists and point out that due to a stressful and sometimes hostile cycling environment, some cyclists actually feel safer by not following the laws.  But good news continues to roll in for bicycling in Boston.  This week brought about a new ordinance prohibiting parking in bike lanes, the addition of the first on-street bike parking, and the announcement that Columbus Ave will soon be getting bike lanes.

North of Boston, the Arlington Advocate talks with the East Arlington Livable Streets Coalition about the evolving plan for Mass Ave.  EALS has been working to build consensus and educate residents to help create a Mass Ave that truly does serve all the needs of the community, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, business owners, residents, and visitors.  In Somerville, new parking regulations are partially in effect but still causing quite a stir.  A lack of public process and concerns of unfair burdens on residents and potential lost business continue to be expressed.  Tensions are still high after residents were prohibited from speaking at last week's Traffic and Parking Commission meeting.  However, today brought the news of a public meeting on Aug 13 to better let residents be heard.

Meanwhile, in NYC, Summer Streets started up again for it's second year, bringing even more car-free streets on August Saturdays to residents and visitors alike.  Also in New York, Mayor Bloomberg criticizes the MTA for not doing enough to improve transit services, and puts forth a 33-point plan that most notably proposes free crosstown buses.  Harvard Professor Glaeser begins to analyze the costs of high speed rail (Part 1, Part 2).  Congress approves another $2 billion for "Cash for Clunkers", while Business Week and the Washington Post look at how much the program will actually help the environment.  Finally, the Guardian takes a close look at high speed rail all over the world.

"Streets"

Bicycling

  • City of Boston Passes Bike Lane Ordinance (Allston-Brighton Bikes)
  • City to install bike lanes on Columbus Ave (South End News)
  • Boston's First Official On Street Bike Parking (Boston Biker)
  • Boston's unruly riders (Boston Globe)
    • Letter: First make streets safe for cyclists (Boston Globe)
    • Letter: Scofflaws just trying to protect themselves (Boston Globe)
    • Commentary: Say, What's Almost as Dangerous as LabraDoodles? Bicyclists. (Bostonist)
    • Commentary: Boston Globe's Latest Masterwork, A Triumph Of Meaningless Grandstanding (Boston Biker)
    • Commentary: David Filipov Of The Boston Globe Responds (Boston Biker)
  • Letter: Bike-sharing boosted at expense of real progress (Boston Globe)
  • Boston Tries to Shed Longtime Reputation as Cyclists' Minefield (New York Times)

Transit

Cars/Parking

  • Somerville parking regulation changes --
    • Not-so-subtle changes to parking regulations in Somerville (Somerville News)
    • Traffic Board to convene public hearing on August 13 to take comments on new parking regulations (Somerville News)
  • Court: Neighbors can sue if new development makes it harder to find a parking space on the street (Universal Hub)

Transportation financing/Government

Parks

Development projects

Land Use/Planning

Out-of-state

National trends

International news

  • Connecting Montreal to the American Rail Network (Transport Politic)
  • China's amazing new bullet train (FORTUNE)
  • High-speed rail in France: Way out in front, and pushing further ahead (Guardian)
  • High-speed rail in Japan: From bullets to magic leviathan (Guardian)
  • High-speed rail in Germany: Intercity plans are grounded by faster trains (Guardian)
  • High-speed rail in Spain: From Madrid to Barcelona in a flash (Guardian)
  • Plane to train: the ultra-fast route to a travel revolution (Guardian)
  • Adonis defends high-speed rail plan (Guardian)
  • World's Longest Bicycle Commuter Tunnel Options (Copenhagenize)