Brad Aaron
Recent Posts
CDC: Make Cycling Safer With Protected Bike Lanes and Lower Speed Limits
| | No Comments
What if the United States treated traffic violence like the public health issue it is? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that would entail building bike infrastructure and slowing down drivers. Last week the CDC released a report on the long-term mortality rate among U.S. cyclists. The study covers 38 years of […]
Confounded by Spike in U.S. Traffic Deaths and Injuries? Look Around
| | No Comments
Traffic fatalities in the U.S. increased by 14 percent through June of this year compared to the first six months of 2014, and serious injuries jumped by 30 percent, according to the National Safety Council [PDF]. At the current rate, the group says, nationwide road deaths would top 40,000 for the first time since 2007. […]
The U.S. Made Cars Safer, and It’s Past Time to Do the Same for Streets
| | No Comments
If you have a well-worn copy of Ralph Nader’s seminal “Unsafe at Any Speed” on your bookshelf — and who doesn’t? — you know that in the mid 20th century U.S. auto companies were hostile to the idea of designing safer cars. Introducing basic features like padded dashboards and collapsible steering columns, the thinking went, […]
50,000 Portlanders Turn Out to Preview the Car-Free “People’s Bridge”
| | No Comments
On Sunday residents of Portland got a preview of Tilikum Crossing, a.k.a. the “Bridge of the People,” described by Michael Andersen of BikePortland as “the first bridge in the United States to carry buses, bikes, trains, streetcars and people walking but no private cars.” Tilikum Crossing is the first bridge constructed over the Willamette River […]
Before “Accident,” Deadly Driving Was “Homicide By Automobile”
| | No Comments
In the early 20th century “chauffeur” was synonymous with “motorist,” and by 1906 Life Magazine had had enough of them. Doug Gordon at Brooklyn Spoke dug up a column titled “Get After the Chauffeurs,” in which Life reported on a two-vehicle crash in Central Park that killed several people, including the driver who caused the […]
Pennsylvania Rep Wants to Mandate Reflective Clothes for Biking at Night
| | No Comments
Today in bad ideas, Bike Pittsburgh reports that Pennsylvania State Representative Anthony DeLuca wants state traffic code to mandate that anyone riding a bike at night wear reflective clothing. Bike Pittsburgh points out that this type of law opens the door to selective enforcement and harassment by police. Requiring people to purchase and carry special […]
If Walmart Urbanizes Its Headquarters, What’s Next for Its Stores?
| | No Comments
The Washington Post reports that Walmart, the retail behemoth whose name is synonymous with big-box sprawl, is looking to attract young people to work at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. To make that happen, the company is investing in amenities to make its hometown — population 40,000 — more urban. To remain competitive, the Post says, Walmart must draw professionals “who might […]
Will Washington Governor Jay Inslee Sacrifice Safer Streets?
| | No Comments
As we reported yesterday, it looks like Washington Governor Jay Inslee may move forward with a low-carbon fuel standard, triggering a legislative “poison pill” that would eliminate funds for transit and street safety initiatives. Safe Routes to School funding would be cut if Washington Governor Jay Inslee swallows the poison pill. Photo: Washington Bikes Safe […]
Transit Alone Won’t Lead to Transit-Oriented Development
| | No Comments
When MARTA opened its Garnett rail station in south downtown Atlanta in the early 1980s, the city expected development to follow. Darin at ATL Urbanist writes that documents from the 70s show that planners believed the station could spur offices and a residential high rise. More than three decades later, that hasn’t happened. In fact, […]
Deadbeat Chris Christie Sticks It to New Jersey Transit Riders, Again
| | No Comments
As expected, the New Jersey Transit board of directors has approved a 9 percent fare hike and service cuts, again making transit riders the victims of Governor Chris Christie’s budget shell games. New Jersey’s gas tax is the second lowest in the U.S., and has not seen an increase since 1988. Christie has refused to […]
No, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Didn’t Save Money by Killing the Red Line
| | No Comments
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan spiked long-standing plans for the Baltimore Red Line because, he said, it cost too much. According to Hogan, he’s saving taxpayers money by diverting Red Line funds to road projects. But Ben Ross at Greater Greater Washington reports that, when it comes to return on investment, the governor’s claim doesn’t add […]
Paving Projects Can Also Be Street Safety Projects
| | No Comments
Transportation departments tend to separate street resurfacings from street safety projects. In New York City, for example, advocates are pushing DOT to coordinate its paving and safety teams to better facilitate low-cost improvements for walking and biking. Paving and safety projects shouldn’t be in competition for resources, writes Jonathan Maus at BikePortland. Maus says his […]