Issue #129 - August 2018

StreetLife

Register for Tour de Streets

Tour de Streets is Saturday, September 8th -- less than a month away! This annual family-friendly event features a 10-mile urban bike ride, a 4-mile family-friendly bike ride, and a 3-mile walk. Join the Emerald Network Team or Get Boston on Board Team -- or start your own! Click here to view all of the routes.

Don't care to bike or walk? Simply join us for the party! Your participation directly supports all of our programs, including Vision Zero, Better Buses, and the Emerald Network!

Watch our promo video to learn why everyone loves #TourdeStreets!

Event Details:
Tour de Streets 2018
Saturday, September 8th, 9:30am-2:00pm
@ DCR North Point Park, Cambridge

You've Been Asking About Those Scooters...

Since the surprise landing of Bird scooters a few weeks ago there has been a lot of public debate and many questions from our members about scooters and other shared micro mobility options. 

First, we’d recommend that you check out the resources our partners have already created on this topic: WalkBoston sums up the issues well, and NACTO goes deep. But the LivableStreets CliffsNotes version is this:

Overall, shared micro-mobility (bikes, scooters... and whatever is coming next) is a good thing, however;

1. Be a good partner. We aren’t cool with companies dropping in and not checking in with the city or town first. Beyond accessing curb space, there are many important operational issues that are best sorted out in partnership. Example: What are the rebalancing requirements to ensure these scooters serve communities who’ve been chronically underserved by transit?
   
   
2. Have patience. Cities and towns should be proactively working on permitting structures to allow responsible operations for shared micro-mobility. Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville all started actively working on this before the Birds landed!
   
   
3. Share data. Understanding what data is being collected by these companies and having clear parameters on what data should be shared publicly is important. Example: General ridership data could provide important insight on where people are riding and strengthen advocacy for bike lanes and better sidewalks. 
   
   
4. Let's go! Technology has changed in the decade plus since LivableStreets was founded — but the issues are still the same: we need to build safer streets for people walking, biking, and using other micro-mobility modes. The increased excitement around these options has only highlighted the need to move more quickly. 

We’re Hiring! Could You Be Our Next Program Assistant?

LivableStreets is seeking a detail-oriented, full-time Program Assistant to support all staff and programs and to play a key role in ensuring our office operations are efficient.

To learn more about the Program Assistant position and apply, click here. We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible, so please share this email far and wide to help us find a great Program Assistant.

Join the LivableStreets Advocacy Committee For a Walk in Everett

This month, the LivableStreets Advocacy Committee is hitting the streets! Join advocates on a 1.5 mile walk up Broadway and then west across Main Street. We’ll be checking out a range of existing and proposed projects, including the Northern Strand Trail, the platform-level boarding for buses on Broadway, and a cycle track on Beacham Street, as well as hearing from City of Everett Transportation Planner Jay Monty. We’ll end at Night Shift Brewing to debrief and hang out!

Event Details:
Advocacy Committee Field Trip
Wednesday, August 22 at 6:15pm
@ Broadway and Thorndike Street bus stop, Everett

We hope to see you there! Please RSVP here.

Update on the End of the State Legislative Session

The FY 2019 state legislative session ended on July 31, and partly thanks to the many of you sending in hundreds of supportive comments, the final budget that was passed secures an all-time high amount of funding for Regional Transit Authorities!

We were disappointed that several other priorities -- including zoning and housing, hands-free, smarter tolling, and the bike/ped omnibus safety bill -- didn’t make it across the finish line. To learn more about what did and didn’t pass, check out these resources from our partners at MAPC, MA Smart Growth Alliance, and T4MA.

Advocacy Updates: Charlesgate Greenway + Northern Ave Bridge 

Speaking of the state legislative session -- we're cheering for the proposed Charlesgate Greenway! In this most recent session, MassDOT agreed to help fund the design and construction of a path connecting the Back Bay Fens neighborhood to the Esplanade, earmarking more than $1.3 million. Check out this Boston Globe article for more information. 

And also from the Globe, check out this coverage of the Northern Avenue Bridge project, and quote from LivableStreets Executive Director, Stacy Thompson: 

"If anything, said Stacy Thompson, executive director of the Livable Streets Alliance, there is a risk of asking too much out of the project. If the new bridge is, all at once, for people, transit, and cars, then it might just wind up pleasing no one. 'We need to figure out what we’re trying to solve, then ask is this the best solution?' Thompson said. 'There are so many questions and concerns about how we get around this city. One tiny little bridge isn’t going to solve all of them.'" 

Stay tuned for a public meeting about the Northern Avenue Bridge this fall -- we'll send out more information once the meeting is scheduled!

Job + Volunteer Opportunities

• Youth Cycling Program Instructors, City of Boston: For more information, click here. To apply, please send a resume and brief email to [email protected]. 
  
  
• Transportation Planner I, MAPC: MAPC seeks a Transportation Planner I to support the goals and work of the Transportation Division. Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Transportation, they will work on technical assistance projects, conduct research on regional transportation issues, and help to plan public meetings and events that highlight the work of the department. To learn more and apply, click here.
  
  
• Volunteers (+ registrants), CommonWheels24: CommonWheels24 is a 24-hour community bike ride and fundraiser to benefit CommonWheels. Learn more here.

Thank you!