Carfree USA Blog

Silicon Valley is getting Bus Rapid Transit

noreply@blogger.com (Mom) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:05:00 +0000

Go! teen magazine for kids who love public transit

noreply@blogger.com (Mom) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:29:00 +0000

Check it out! Go! exploring the world of transportation is a free, online magazine out of Iowa State University for teens and young adults that explores the world of transportation and the careers they can find there. How cool is that?

[Post-Gazette] Pittsburgh a rust-belt Venice?

noreply@blogger.com (Mom) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:01:00 +0000

While the G-20 is convening in Pittsburgh, the City assured pedestrians and cyclists that they are welcome downtown... Except that they blocked the way.

photo by Timothy McNulty

Jym says: This is part of my bike route downtown from the North Shore and North Boroughs....

And the local paper published the following Open Letter:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Open Letters A car-free zone
...Downtown Pittsburgh should become pedestrian-only -- free of cars. We are blessed with a Downtown that is a perfectly walkable size. So draw a line north to south from river to river through the new hockey arena, and from there to the Point is our car-free zone. We'd be a wonder! It would be glorious! Parking could be across shore and people would ferry over or walk across the pedestrian bridges.
...
JASON KOTTLER
Mount Oliver

[Detroit Blog] Car Capital of the World loves bikes

noreply@blogger.com (Mom) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:49:00 +0000

Detroit Blog: Taking back the streets one bicycle at a time by Karen Dybis
...“Bikes are all about freedom. It's about access. And that's what makes a city great,” Clein said.

Detroit has the room for cyclists, Clein argues. Its major roads, like Michigan Avenue, have a stunning nine lanes. That is because the city once had cable cars and modes of transportation that needed space. Plus, Detroit used to have more than 2 million residents filling its 140 square miles.

Today, the population is around 900,000....

Fake NYP on Climate Change

noreply@blogger.com (Mom) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:37:00 +0000

"SPECIAL EDITION" NEW YORK POST from The Yes Men on Vimeo.

PDX's New Green Line

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0000

American transit wonks always love Portland, Oregon. It's a medium sized city with excellent cycling and streetcar networks. On Sunday, September 13, Portland's new Green Line begins operation.

UCD Analysis: "Cash for Clunkers" is a very expensive way to cut CO2

noreply@blogger.com (Mom) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:23:00 +0000

Of course, we oppose "Cash for Clunkers" because it fuels America's addiction to the automobile, but this analysis finds it is also bad economics:

The Implied Cost of Carbon Dioxide under the Cash for Clunkers Program
by Christopher R. Knittel, August 12, 2009

Abstract: The Cash for Clunker program aims to stimulate the economy, provide relief for automobile manufacturers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this research note, I present estimates of the implied cost of carbon dioxide reductions under the Cash for Clunker program. The estimates suggest that the program is an expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases. This is true under a wide range of assumptions regarding the increase in fuel economy of new vehicles purchased under the program, how long the clunkers would have been on the road if not for the program, and whether we account for reductions in criteria pollutants. Conservative estimates of the implied carbon cost exceed $365 per ton; best case scenario parameter values suggest a cost of carbon of $237 per ton.

We'll always have Paris... and Tokyo.

noreply@blogger.com (Mom) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:31:00 +0000

LA Times: U.S. public transit improvements will be a tough sell
by David Lazarus, August 5, 2009

It won't be enough to lay down lots of track and hope people leap aboard trains and subways. It also will take discouraging the use of cars and making cities less comfortable.

It's hard to appreciate how truly pitiful our public transportation system is until you spend some time with a system that works.

Over the course of two weeks in Japan, I rode just about every form of public transit imaginable -- bullet trains, express trains, commuter trains, subways, street cars, monorails and buses. Nearly every ride was smooth, on schedule and affordable. article continues

"We Are Ready to Start at Any Time."

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:55:00 +0000

Neat. A proposed high-speed rail network for Michigan with Maglev trains. A state legislative task force has held three public meetings on the potential service and responses are positive - mostly because of all the jobs it creates.

(MLive.com)

Readers Teach Abby about Transit Etiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Dear Abby: Every time I politely ask someone on the train to lower their mp3 player or stop talking on the phone, other passengers feel empowered, look at me gratefully, and back me up if the rude person has a problem with my request.

Don't Feed the Addiction

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:26:00 +0000

The Cash for Clunkers program has run out of money. The National Automobile Dealers Association, "would like more money for the program which has been a boon for car sales" (NPR).

Click here to easily find your representative's email address and tell her that you want no more cash for clunkers.

Synchrony

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:31:00 +0000

Ridership Is Up, Now Raise the Gas Tax

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:16:00 +0000

These are real cuts affecting real people. Our most recent ridership survey showed more than half our riders use the bus to get to work and almost 60 percent do not have access to a car. Our riders tell us that we should be increasing service, not cutting it, and we agree. We simply do not have the money, and the state appears determined to get out of the business of supporting transit operations.

The San Francisco Chronicle

SamTrans is the public transit operator centered in San Mateo county, which serves a chunk of Silicon Valley and provides service into San Francisco. Their troubles represent the maddening distinction found all over the country of increased ridership during decreased funding. In such situations in the past, public transit systems have phased out their para-transit operations and "merged" them with scheduled operations. That makes no one happy.

Pedestrians on the Archipelago

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Click below if you ever wanted an opinion on which Hawaiian island is best for a carfree couple.

The New York Times

As Dangerous as Driving Drunk

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:00:00 +0000

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration decided not to make public hundreds of pages of research and warnings about the use of phones by drivers — in part, officials say, because of concerns about angering Congress. “We’re looking at a problem that could be as bad as drunk driving, and the government has covered it up,” said Clarence Ditlow.

The New York Times

The point is, distracted driving is dangerous. Yet every car commercial over the last decade sells that car's interior. Speakers, A/C, cup holders, DVD display, satellite radio, and my favorite: soundproof! What could be more detached from surroundings than a soundproof interior? Distracted driving is normal driving.

Bikes on the Interstate Bridge (D.C.)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:28:00 +0000

(via Transportation for America)

Close Times Square to Cars and Solve Its Traffic Problems

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Today Slate.com writes on the "anti-space" of Times Square. What is an anti-space?

"More than 356,000 pedestrians travel through Times Square on an average day, according to the New York City Department of Transportation, while the number of cars is closer to 50,000. [...] only 11 percent of Times Square is devoted to pedestrian use."

Three Views of a New Carfree Space

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:19:00 +0000

Below are three low-quality photos (generic camera phone) of a new, tiny, and popular carfree area on 17th Street in San Francisco.

The city simply banned cars from the Muni Metro's F line tracks at one intersection.

Then the Castro Business District laid out some chairs and tables. The effect is astounding. This is a beautiful place to have yourself a sit-down, especially at night.

Previously just another clogged intersection for automobiles. Now it's a livable space.

Mayors

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:17:00 +0000

Mayor Boris Johnson is a big proponent of "cycle super highways," a plan that would increase the number of bicycle-only lanes in London. On one of the rides specifically intended to scope out possible super highway routes, the mayor and two transport ministers were nearly killed by a truck driver. The footage was caught on CCTV.

In other news about mayors, the dialog below occurred recently at a bar on Mission Street.

Me: Did you hear about Berkeley's mayor? He gave up his car.

Other: Pssht. He's only carfree three days per week and only from 9-5, while his wife is away in her car.

Me: Oh.

This is related to an earlier post about the mayor of Berkeley going carfree. I want to cite a proper source for the information, but I can't find one. The Bay Area has a rumor mill. Currently the rumor is that mayor Tom Bates received a lot of publicity for "going carfree" when all he did was sell his old car. Can anyone back this up? Have I been spun?

All Mayors Should Try This

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:53:00 +0000

Berkeley's mayor goes carfree.

No doubt he'll become one of many who knows that AC Transit (Berkeley's bus system) needs some major improvements.

Surcharge for Passenger Drop Off

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 23:21:00 +0000

Passengers who arrive at airports via rail have always paid a surcharge for, well, being awesome, for not clogging up curb sides, for not parking in eyesores, etc. Just think of the subway to JFK airport - normally $2 per ride in Queens, it costs $7.00 to the airport. Or BART to SFO, the price spikes for the airport but dips again to Millbrae, a station further along the line. You probably know countless other examples.

Now one airport finally has the sense of fairness to charge drivers to drop off at the airport, too.

Share the Intersection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:28:00 +0000

GOOD Magazine did a take on what a more "livable" street in Manhattan would look like. Unfortunately it isn't carfree, but it's worth checking out.

My favorite recommendation is the traffic light with LPI, "leading pedestrian interval," tip #7 on GOOD's graphic. My least favorite recommendation is #8, the bollard. Sidewalks in Amsterdam are an example of how bollards can be overused and obstruct pedestrians. What do you think?

(Thanks, Erica C. Barnett from The Stranger's Slog Blog for the link.)

Obama Is Jealous

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:50:00 +0000

...of European trains. He asks, "Why can't we have high speed rail?"

(April 3 Town Hall in Strasbourg)

Sprawl: Cause and Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:01:00 +0000

The Complete Streets Act 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The goal of the Complete Streets Act 2009 is to take pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit under consideration in all new road building. Eighty cities already have something similar; this bill is for the rest of you.

Tell your representative or senator. It's on the floor of both chambers this week.