Arguments for Cycling Infrastructure

See below for a good summary of the studies.

http://www.cyclechat.net/topic/90630-that-worthless-and-dangerous-cycling-infrastructure/

http://www.bikehartford.com/2011/08/arguments-for-cycling-infrastructure.html

Alta Planning: Magic Recipe for a Great Bike Network

Excerpt from an article by Mia Birk, a well known transportation planner, at: http://www.miabirk.com/blog/?p=531

"People often ask me: what type of bikeway facility should we start with? Off-street paths? Cycle tracks, aka protected/separated bike lanes? Traditional bike lanes? Bike boulevards, aka neighborhood greenways? Shared lane markings? Together, these form a toolkit of solutions that work in concert to create a comprehensive bikeway system."

"But what is the best order? Start with an expensive yet iconic off-street path? Or fight for bike lanes on major roads because they’re more visible than bike boulevards? Or start with bike boulevards because they are less controversial and inexpensive? The truth: there is no one “right” order, as long as you’re aggressively, progressively making changes in the right direction."

Interesting Bike-Related News Items

Dead Cyclist Blamed For The Whole Thing As Former AG Gets Off
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/dead-cyclist-blamed-for-whole-thing.php

The Carbonwood Bicycle. Art or Design?
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/the-carbonwood-bicycle-art-or-design.php

When cyclists go uncensored
http://www.grist.org/article/2010-05-27-when-cyclists-go-uncensored

Washington DC Bike-Sharing Program Getting 10x Bigger!
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/washington-dc-bike-sharing-smartbike-getting-10x-bigger-expanding.php

The Electric Bicycle World Tour and What The World Looks Like from an E-Bike (video)
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/03/electric-bicycle-world-tour.php

Do Electric Bikes Make Us Lazy After All?
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/do-electric-bikes-make-us-lazy.php

Why Haven't Electric Bikes Caught On?
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/03/why-havent-electric-bikes-caught-on.php

You may be bike-curious if ...
http://www.grist.org/article/2010-03-15-you-may-be-bike-curious-if

Should electric bike sales be subsidized?
http://www.grist.org/article/flipping-the-switch

Top 7 Reasons Why Fixed-Gear Bikes are Oh So Hot Right Now
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/top-7-reasons-fixed-gear-bikes-are-oh-so-hot-right-now.php

What's It Like to Bicycle Almost 4,000 Miles Across the Amazon? Ask Doug Gunzelmann
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/travel-outdoors/advocating-sustainability-on-two-wheels.html

For Gen Y, it’s not about the dream home, but the dream ‘hood

"For Gen Yers, driving isn’t part of the American Dream anymore. Being connected is"

http://www.cooltownstudios.com/2010/12/03/for-gen-y-its-not-about-the-dream-home-but-the-dream-hood

One of our Upstate New York neighbors, Kingston, "Goes Big" for Complete Streets

http://blog.tstc.org/2010/11/17/kingston-%E2%80%9Cgoes-big%E2%80%9D-for-complete-streets/

Excerpt:

In the Hudson Valley last Tuesday night, the Kingston Common Council passed a Complete Streets resolution which makes it “a City goal to foster transportation choices by developing a Complete Streets program” and establishes an eleven-member advisory council that will make recommendations to the City on how to move forward. The evening was the culmination of an eight-month effort by Kingston’s Complete Streets Committee, which has been guided by planner David Gilmour and Kristen Wilson of Cornell Cooperative Extension and funded by the Robert Wood Johnston Foundation. With one more year of funding in place and this major goalpost achieved, Wilson told MTR she was looking forward to continued progress in the community.

Buffalo: Driver gets slap on the wrist for running red light, failing to yield to crosswalk, killing pedestrian

Unacceptable:

"The 75-year-old woman who was behind the wheel of the car that struck and killed a popular Kenmore West High School English teacher last week has been charged with two vehicle and traffic violations, Town of Tonawanda Police said Thursday.

Beverly J. Waltz was charged with passing a red light and failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. She does not face any criminal charges.

In other recent traffic fatalities, drivers have faced far more serious charges than the ones lodged against Waltz."

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/police-courts/police-blotter/article198760.ece

Beyond the Motor City: Buffalo Film Screening

June 1, 2010
BEYOND THE MOTOR CITY
5:30 pm

Presented by the Northeast-Midwest Institute and Green Options Buffalo
The Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society
25 Nottingham Court, Buffalo, NY 14216
For more information: Justin Booth, (716) 851-4052
Director Aaron Woolf and Congressman Brian Higgins in attendance!

The film's issues will be familiar to you: it's an exploration of how America's historic decisions to invest in highways and automotive infrastructure has come, in many cities -- and particularly in Detroit -- at the expense of safe walking and biking, sustainable development and socially equitable communities. While focusing on the hard lessons learned in Detroit, the film also offers the hope that America's cities are now uniquely poised to shine a spotlight on -- and to offer sustainable and cutting-edge solutions to -- our nation's transportation obstacles.

Would you be so kind as to pass this invitation on to your colleagues and extended networks, or, if relevant, to incorporate the details or artwork into your website, e-blasts, newsletter, etc? Congressman Brian Higgins will give opening remarks and director Aaron Woolf will be in attendance after the film to answer questions.

More information about Beyond the Motor City and the Blueprint America Screening Tour can also be found on the PBS website.