In this issue:
- Welcome to our new Community Engagement Manager!
- Vote YES on 5 for parks, homes and jobs
- StreetTalk: recap & save the date!
- Vision Zero rallies in Boston and Cambridge
- Route 9 crossing
- World Day of Remembrance
- BPDA and City of Boston are hiring
What's happening
Welcome to our new Community Engagement Manager!
We are excited to introduce Andrew McFarland as the new Community Engagement Manager for LivableStreets Alliance. Most recently, Andrew was a community associate at New York City Department of Transportation’s Public Engagement Unit, where he worked to expand the agency’s real-time engagement efforts related to bike, pedestrian, and BRT infrastructure in all five boroughs. Say 'hi' at [email protected] and learn more here.
Vote YES on 5 for parks, homes and jobs
On November 8, Boston voters have the chance to cast their vote for parks, open space, historic preservation, and affordable housing. The Community Preservation Act (CPA), which will appear as Question #5 on Boston’s November 8 ballot, is your opportunity to improve quality of life in Boston.
Through CPA, the City of Boston has an opportunity to generate over $20 million every year in dedicated funding to create and improve parks, restore historic sites, and build new affordable homes throughout Boston’s neighborhoods. If you live in Boston, vote YES on Question 5! For more information, click here.
StreetTalk: recap & save the date!
On October 17th we held a StreetTalk on Making Buses Sexy at the Roxbury Innovation Center. Over 60 people attended the event and joined our panel of speakers in exploring bus innovations. See photos from the event here.
And save the date for our 10-in-1 StreetTalk on December 7th at the Old South Meeting House. Registration will open in November.
Event Details:
10-in-1 StreetTalk
Tuesday, December 7, 6-8:30pm
@ Old South Meeting House
In the meantime, we want you to share your ideas. Send us an email at [email protected] suggesting a speaker and a topic by Tuesday, November 1! Last year, three out of the 10 topics came from members - we need your help in building this event!
Wins
Vision Zero rallies in Boston and Cambridge
250 people attended the Streets are for People Rally at City Hall Plaza on September 29th, including many city officials and policy makers.
Unfortunately, less than one week after the rally, Bernard "Joe" Lavins was killed in a truck collision in Porter Square, stressing the need for Boston and Cambridge to accelerate their Vision Zero efforts.
Cambridge residents followed up with their own rally and call to action. On October 17th, over 75 people showed up to rally for safer streets, and all eight policy orders up for review passed during the subsequent City Council meeting.
Together we are successfully demonstrating that we are a united and growing group of people who will not stop working until we eliminate fatal and serious crashes on our streets.
What's happening now
- If you live, work or commute in Boston, please sign and share our petition! We collected more than 220 signatures at the rally, but we'd like to grow that to 1,000 signatures by this Wednesday, October 26th.
- If you live, work, or commute in Cambridge, sign and share this petition!
- Everyone is invited to join us on November 20th for a World Day of Remembrance Vigil at the MA State House in remembrance of road traffic victims worldwide.
Route 9 crossing
The Route 9 pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvement project is almost complete! This crossing connects the Emerald Necklace Park path from Olmsted Park and Riverway Park, and helps complete an important link in the Emerald Network.
The new construction includes a traffic signal, an expanded gap in the median, a defined crosswalk and other changes that will reduce the speeds of turning cars and improve safety for people walking and biking. Have you tried the new crossing yet?
Opportunities
World Day of Remembrance on November 20
Save the date for the 2016 World Day of Remembrance on Sunday, November 20. World Day of Remembrance is a time to memorialize the many millions killed and injured on the world's roads and stand together with their families, friends and affected community members. The vast majority of these traffic crashes are preventable. In numbers, we can recognize our loved ones, and also demand change.
The BPDA is hiring a Senior Transportation Planner
The Boston Planning and Development Agency is hiring a Senior Transportation Planner to assist in the Planning Division's activities with regard to transportation planning, neighborhood planning, development review, transportation systems analysis, and the coordination of multi-modal transportation initiatives. To learn more and apply, click here.
The City of Boston is hiring two Active Transportation Coordinators
Reporting to the Active Transportation Director, works with the Director and collaborates with a diverse range of public agencies, private consultants, and community groups to advance projects and programs in support of walking, bicycling, and transit-access across the City of Boston. To learn more and apply, click here.