September 13, 2009

Dutch Bicycle in NYC
Gentleman on a Dutch bicycle in NYC
(Photo courtesy New York Times)

This week, another transportation official has announced his resignation: Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi. We learn that Aloisi will be not be continuing on after October 31, when the new MassDOT is formed as part of the planned transportation reorganization, of which some are still skeptical of its benefits. The Globe discusses how Route 2 will soon be seeing improvements, including a flyover at Crosby's Corner, and a reconfigured interchange at the Concord Rotary. However, at least one reader wonders if the millions of dollars would be better spent on upgrading train service to the area.

We saw a lot in the news for bicycling, including a photo essay of the recently completed bike lanes on N Harvard St in Allston, observations from the first day of school around BU as well as news about how BU is working to promote bicycling safety, coverage of a public meeting held by Boston Bikes about proposed bike lanes for Commonwealth Ave between Kenmore Square and the Public Garden, a video of bike lanes being installed along the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, and a writeup and presentation by Northeastern engineering students about how to make the carriage lane along Comm Ave in Newton a safe, connected route for bicyclists.

The New York Times features an article about how bikes have become a tool of the fashion industry. Streetsblog informs us that Market Street in San Francisco will soon see trial restrictions for cars in order to improve conditions for transit riders, pedestrians, and cyclists. And we see a police training video from Chicago about how to effectively enforce bicycling-related laws for bicyclists and motorists.

The New Republic talks about the new book about Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses, comparing their actions and their legacies. Another new book is reviewed about how cities are excellent for reducing pollution, being greener, and more energy efficient than suburbs. And we feature some stories about how some cities are creating naked streets and removing traffic lights to increase safety.

"Streets"

  • BU Bridge reconstruction begins near Brookline border (Brookline TAB)
  • Letter: What worked to unclog roads in 1981 (Boston Globe)
  • Within Reach [New Bedford] (South Coast Today)
  • Route 2 no longer a forgotten highway as road project funds start flowing (Boston Globe)
    • Letter: A better place to put state's money - trains (Boston Globe)
  • State gets stimulus money to replant trees (Boston Herald)
  • Transportation plan revealed [Union Square, Somerville] (Boston Globe)
  • Redesign digs for downtown traffic cure [Framingham] (Boston Globe)
  • A big concern on two major parkways (Boston Globe)
  • T hits BU student cyclist (Daily Free Press)
  • Starts and Stops: O'Neill tunnel sees more crashes than Sumner, Callahan; Commuter rail holding 'manager for a day' contest'; Mass. traffic website was popular on holiday weekend; NTSB bans cellphone use by workers while driving (Boston Globe)

Walking

Bicycling

Transit

Cars/Parking

  • Boston motorists driven to the edge (Boston Herald)
  • N.H. plant lights up the highways (Boston Globe)
  • Mass. highway cameras made available to the public (Boston Herald)
  • More road tips for the senior set (Boston Globe)
  • New Somerville parking regulations:
    • City tweaks parking rules; needs to increase department efficiency and accountability (Somerville Journal)

Transportation financing/Government

Parks

Development projects

Out-of-state

  • Big Apple's road kill (New York Post)
  • VIDEO: San Francisco's Foggy Sunday Streets 2009 (Streetfilms)
  • Is Biking Easier In New York? Ask The Bike Snob (NPR)
  • Whose Bike Are You Wearing (New York Times)
  • San Francisco Moves to Remake Market Street (Streetsblog SF)
    • Reaction to Market Street Pilot Seems Overwhelmingly Positive (Streetsblog SF)
    • Market Street Pilot is an Encouraging Move by Mayor Newsom (Streetsblog SF)
  • When Parking Spaces Are More Important Than Homes (Streetsblog DC)
  • New PSA series to address safety and etiquette of "Bikes Riding With Bikes" (BikePortland)
  • Chicago Police Say It Loud: Bikes Belong (Streetsblog LA)
  • VIDEO: "The Pedestrian Crush" on 34th & 7th Avenue (Streetfilms)

National trends

  • High-Speed Rail:
    • Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Is America Allergic to High-Speed Rail? (Wall Street Journal)
    • A Hitch For Rail Riders: Getting To Final Destination (NPR)
  • What A City Needs (New Republic)
  • Benefits of Density:
    • Study: Denser development may cut pollution (USA Today)
  • LaHood on Transport: 'We Don't Want to Pit One Mode ... Against Another' (Streetsblog DC)
  • Would $5 Gallon Gasoline Cause Commuters To Change Their Ways (Infrastructurist)
  • What Should A National Freight Policy Do And How Should It Be Funded? (National Journal)
  • Was the Auto Industry Bailout Legal? It's Debatable, Oversight Panel Says (Streetsblog LA)
  • Highway-Bill Passage This Fall Is Unlikely (Wall Street Journal)

International news