February 19, 2014

Snowy bikes

More snow, still biking

(Photo courtesy of MassBike)

DCR to bicyclists: Don't expect perfection on bike paths after snowstorms - or just move Universal Hub

A bicyclist's request that DCR ensure its bike paths are plowed and salted to bare pavement within a couple days after a large snowstorm has DCR officials saying enough's enough: Bicyclists with "poor judgment and unrealistic expectations" who can't find other ways to get around in the days after a snowstorm should consider moving to a warmer city.

MassDOT didn't budget for any MBTA bus replacements in its latest capital plan Biz Journals

Jon Chesto—The state Department of Transportation’s new capital spending plan is a grab bag full of goodies that would put a smile on any public transit fan’s face. The Green Line extension to Medford. South Coast Rail. The CapeFlyer. Even the Housatonic Railroad merits a few bucks.

But there’s something missing — the workhorse of any major public transit system. There are no new MBTA buses.

Out-of-date zoning regulations are hampering innovation on Boston’s waterfront Boston Globe

Mike Ross—The Boston Redevelopment Authority is about to begin a planning process for a key section of Boston’s waterfront. To date, the watchword has been balance — between the blue-collar jobs that come from the ocean, and those new economy jobs that do not. But saying that one job cannot exist alongside another, as the present zoning does, is a false choice, akin to saying that airplanes and birds cannot share the air. Boston’s place in the world will not be determined by balance, but rather, a bold vision for our future.

These 3 Charts Show That the Commuter Benefit System Is Terribly Broken Atlantic Cities

Eric Jaffe—Congress recently failed to maintain parity for commuter benefits, granting drivers up to $250 a month but dropping transit riders down to $130. The decision is terrible for both sides — transit riders obviously lose, but so do drivers, since the incentive for a single-occupancy commute will increase traffic — but it shouldn't be that surprising. 

Boris bans trucks without sideguards and cyclist safety equipment in London Tree Hugger

AK Streeter—While it's hard to imagine simply voting on safer designs and having them magically next appear on the streets of North America, it isn't that difficult to change existing trucks to make them less dangerous. In fact, Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, last week passed a measure to ban heavy trucks without cyclist safety equipment on its busiest main roads.

"Streets"

  • Letters: Please, no more confusing names in Boston Boston Globe
  • Walsh looks to add innovation to public spaces Boston Globe
  • Can Dudley Square Tower, Murals Spark A New Model Of Boston Public Art? WBUR

Walking

Bicycling

  • Share Your Winter Biking Tips WGBH
  • The Challenges Of Year-Round Bicycling WGBH
  • In brutal winter, Hubway perfects the art of snow removal Boston.com
  • Navigating Boston's Wintry Streets On Two Wheels WGBH
  • Is the Bike Path Finally Becoming a Reality? Stoneham Patch
  • Mobility Hub Southie Bikes
  • Bikeway, buses topic of MassDOT public hearing South Coast Today
  • DCR to bicyclists: Don't expect perfection on bike paths after snowstorms - or just move Universal Hub
  • A response to the DCR anti-bike statement Amateur Planner
  • MassBike Responds To Snow Removal Controversy MassBike
  • DCR staffer slip highlights lack of de-icing effort on cyclists' routes Boston Cyclists Union
  • Bicycling groups push for year-round bicycle paths Universal Hub

Transit

  • T Distributes More Than 1,000 New CharlieCards; Will Expire in 2024 BostInno
  • People Love the MBTA Today (No, Seriously) BostInno
  • The MBTA Is Installing New Security Cameras on 225 Buses Boston Magazine
  • MBTA to bring countdown clock system to bus stations Boston.com
  • In defense of the Green Line Boston.com
  • What's the deal with South Station¹s closed staircase? Boston.com
  • New MBTA Map Proposal: CommonRail Designer Explains His Map Design BostInno
  • The last train home Walking Bostonian
  • Forest Hills Now Has A Bus Countdown Sign; Dudley, Ruggles Next BostInno
  • Charlie Baker’s thoughtful pause Mass Politics Profs
  • MassDOT didn't budget for any MBTA bus replacements in its latest capital plan Biz Journals
  • BusPlus Program Announces New Regional Service Mass Transpo Blog
  • Slow Trains North End Waterfront
  • After public outcry, MassDOT allocates money to pay for new buses Boston Globe
  • MBTA Buses Narrowly Avoid Getting Thrown Under the Bus CLF
  • Plan targets entrance dispute at Quincy Adams T station Patriot Ledger

Cars/Parking

  • Comments Sought on Government Center Garage Beacon Hill Times
  • 'Will They Tow Me' Map Shows Where You Won't Get Towed in Boston BostInno
  • What happened when Boloco founder John Pepper became an Uber driver Boston.com
  • 4 Boston-Area Universities Among Best in U.S. at Reducing Campus Driving BostInno
  • All’s fair in love and parking Boston Globe
  • Small congregations deserve unique parking rules: Guest commentary Daily News
  • Cold prevents repair to traffic light in Roslindale Boston.com

Development projects

  • Scaled-back project still unappealing to neighbors Somerville Times
  • Somerville's Union Square project attracting major developers Boston.com
  • MBTA Government Center Station Closes March 22 Mass Transit Blog
  • New Balance pays $10m to buy 2 more acres next to Brighton development project Boston.com

Land Use/Planning

  • Union Square Streetscape and Infrastructure Meeting #2 Somerville by Design
  • MAPC Awarded CIC Grants: Will Help Communities Throughout Region and Commonwealth Planning 101
  • Vacant Dudley Square parcels to be sold by city Boston.com
  • New report to be released on neighborhood change stimulated by Green Line extension Boston.com
  • Change Ahead for Somerville's Neighborhoods Planning 101
  • Out-of-date zoning regulations are hampering innovation on Boston’s waterfront Boston Globe
  • Somerville officials want $500,000 for new Assembly Square plan Wicked Local

Out-of-state

  • NY
    • New York's Cyclists Are Getting Better at Following the Rules Atlantic Cities
    • Long Island Lawmaker to Injured Mom: No One Should Ride Bikes Here StreetsBlog
  • CA
    • Cesar Chavez: A Traffic Sewer Transformed Into a Safer Street SF StreetsBlog
    • Report Finds Caltrans Incompetent and Lagging Behind Sustainability Trends Next City
    • The End for LOS in California? State Wants Input on a New Planning Metric LA StreetsBlog
  • DC
    • Frigid temps are no barrier to the growing number of bicycle riders Washington Post

National trends

  • 9 Reasons the U.S. Ended Up So Much More Car-Dependent Than Europe Atlantic Cities
  • A Very Brief History of Why Americans Hate Their Commutes Atlantic Cities
  • Welcome to The Future of Transportation Atlantic Cities
  • Why Do Pedestrians Have to Press ““Beg Buttons” to Cross the Street? Gizmodo
  • People Movers: The Great Transportation Promise of the 1970s Gizmodo
  • Four reasons US business leaders want to import Danish-style cycling Guardian
  • 13 Fake Public Transit Systems We Wish Existed Wired
  • Turning Urban Blight into Urban Amenity Metropolis Mag
  • Far Beyond Rush Hour: The Incredible Rise of Off-Peak Public Transportation Atlantic Cities
  • The Real Barriers to Abundant, All-Day Transit Service Atlantic Cities
  • Are auto manufacturers freaked out that young people aren't driving? Boston Streets
  • Which Types of Traffic Signals Are the Safest? Atlantic Cities
  • Where Traffic Signals Automatically Give Cyclists Priority StreetsBlog
  • What Sets Apart the Places Where People Walk More? StreetsBlog
  • An Electric Car Designed Especially for People in Wheelchairs Atlantic Cities
  • Undriven snow Economist
  • Subway Countdown Clocks Are Good For Business Fast Co Design
  • Before We Build, We Should Review How a Project Will Affect Safety StreetsBlog
  • Public Transportation Systems in the United States Sustainable Cities Collective
  • CNU Selects the Top 10 "Freeways Without Futures" for 2014 CNU
  • The Power of Bicycling (Get Psyched) StreetsBlog
  • These 3 Charts Show That the Commuter Benefit System Is Terribly Broken Atlantic Cities
  • 500,000 car purchases avoided in US thanks to carsharing Tree Hugger

International news

  • Cities and their psychology: how neuroscience affects urban planning Guardian
  • As China's Auto Sales Surge, Lunar New Year Travelers Opt for Road Trips WSJ
  • Boris bans trucks without sideguards and cyclist safety equipment in London Tree Hugger
  • Jaywalking: How the car industry outlawed crossing the road BBC
  • Imagine -- A World Where Nobody Owns Their Own Car Atlantic Cities