We’ll be sharing details on the location, ride and walk options and the party soon. In the meantime, you can register today to reserve your spot at Tour de Streets!

This is LivableStreets’ most important annual fundraiser. This year we’ve set an ambitious goal of raising $75,000. Your participation - whether you are building a fundraising team or inviting a few friends to join you at the BBQ - will make this our most successful Tour de Streets ever.

We hope to see you at Tour de Streets on September 10th. Register today!

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We’re hiring! Emerald Network Program Manager

LivableStreets is seeking a motivated full-time Program Manager to provide effective coordination and implementation of the Emerald Network!

The Program Manager will lead and shape the program and overall strategic direction for the Emerald Network- bringing us closer to achieving our vision of a seamless 200 mile greenway network. We need your help to find a Program Manager to continue to move this important and growing initiative forward.  

To learn more about the Emerald Network Program Manager position and apply click here. We are looking to fill this position in May 2016, so please share this email far and wide to help us find a great Program Manager for the Emerald Network!

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A packed house for the Arboretum Gateway Path Visioning Workshop

In March more than 100 people participated in the Arboretum Gateway Path Visioning Workshop in Roslindale! This support and input is a critical part of moving this project forward.

The Arboretum Gateway Path will connect Forest Hills and Roslindale Village transit stations and create a new entrance to the Arnold Arboretum, making the park more visible and accessible to residents and visitors.

Click here to see photos from the workshop. 

Thanks to our partners WalkUP Roslindale and Tufts Urban Environmental Policy Planning students for helping make this workshop such a great success!

The Tufts students will be finalizing a planning study for the path over the next month—which will include feedback collected from nearly 700 people via online surveys and through this workshop.

To learn more about the Emerald Network visit www.emeraldnetwork.info and WalkUP Roslindale at www.walkuproslindale.org/gateway.

LivableStreets partners with NACTO

On April 7th LivableStreets partnered with the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) to bring together transportation leaders from across North America and Metro Boston. More than 60 leaders from cities like Vancouver, Seattle, Chicago, Salt Lake City, and Madison joined local transportation, community and LivableStreets leaders to discuss some of the most innovative and exciting street designs happening today. Thanks to Goulston and Storrs for hosting this event.

This was just the beginning of a longer series of events LivableStreets will be hosting in the coming years to bring leaders from across the country to Boston to share and inspire.

We are particularly excited about NACTO’s recently released new design guide for building world-class streets. Developed by officials and practitioners from the 45 NACTO member cities, along with 18 participating transit agencies, the Transit Street Design Guide fills the gap, providing the tools to actively prioritize transit on the street. To learn more and order your copy click here. 

We are so excited about this new resource. We are working with partners to work on implementing these ideas locally.

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Wins

 

Vision Zero gains traction in Cambridge and Boston

Vision Zero is picking up steam in Metro Boston. In March the Cambridge City Council unanimously passed resolutions to formally adopt Vision Zero and Complete Streets policies and just a few days ago the city of Boston announced that they would set aside $3.1 million for Vision Zero in their 2017 budget.

“The underlying philosophy of Vision Zero is that our streets should be welcoming and safe,” said Boston transportation commissioner Gina Fiandaca.

Increasing the Vision Zero budget was one of the key recommendations the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition made to the city of Boston. You can read more about our progress with the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition here.

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Boston City Councilors support lowering the speed limit to 20 MPH

Boston city councilors held a hearing on Wednesday to lower the speed limit to 20 miles per hour on city streets.

The proposal is to decrease the speed limit from 30 miles per hour in residential areas and thickly populated business districts where there are no posted signs. In school zones, the speed limit would be lowered from 20 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour.

LivableStreets Executive Director Jackie DeWolfe spoke at the hearing. “There are too many crashes, too many people who don’t feel comfortable on our streets.” Jackie also reminded the Council that speed limits are one piece of the solution and that we also need to be designing streets to slow down traffic - signs only go so far.

Next steps include a vote by the City Council and the signature of Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The measure will also also require the State Legislature’s approval, because speed limits are set by state law. We’ll keep you updated as this progresses!

Click here to read the Globe article about the hearing. 

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Opportunities

 

A Night to Focus on the T’s Future: Focus 40 Kickoff

Join the kickoff for Focus40 on May 24th! Focus40 is the 25-year strategic vision for MBTA investments. The process will engage people who ride the T – as well as elected officials, business leaders, academic institutions, the advocacy community, and other stakeholders - in the development of a financially responsible, long-term investment strategy that positions the MBTA to better serve the region of today, as well as the Greater Boston of 2040.

The kickoff event will include an open house from 5-9pm with a speaker and interactive panel beginning at 6:30. To learn more about Focus40 visit: www.massdot.state.ma.us/focus40

Event Details
A Night to Focus on the T’s Future
Tuesday, May 24th, 5-9pm
@ Northeastern's Curry Student Center

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MassDOT hiring Transportation Fellow

MassDOT is hiring a Transportation Fellow to work on the first phase of the Focus40 effort. The fellow will act as a liaison for coordinating with other planning efforts, engage with key stakeholder groups and develop data visualizations and lead public relations and communications efforts. To learn more and apply click here.