Issue #68 / Sept 6, 2012

In this issue
  • Congress for New Urbanism article, LivableStreets in national press
  • Bike4Life - almost halfway there!
  • Infographics: The deadliest job isn't what you expect
  • Mayor's Cup and Hub on Wheels, September 22-23rd
  • Count and be counted 
  • Thank you to our business members and sponsors  

Calendar: Click here to view full listing of upcoming events and public meetings

 

What's happening 

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Congress for New Urbanism article - LivableStreets Remove McGrath Campaign makes national news

The McGrath Highway corridor makes 2012 Freeways Without Futures list

 

Last Tuesday, the Remove McGrath Campaign, along with the Casey 

LivableStreets Street Ambassador collecting postcard signatures from Greater Boston residents asking to Remove McGrath.

Overpass, received national press from the Congress for New Urbanism.  

"The LivableStreets Alliance is advocating for the removal of McGrath as a highway, but MassDOT will continue to spend up to $11 million in repairs before the state will seriously consider removing McGrath in 2022. Boston has already made the decision to replace another overpass in the region: Jamaica Plain's Casey Overpass, which disrupts Fredrick Law-Olmstead's jewel-like city parks. With its existing community support and the right political vision, Somerville will not be far behind." Click here to read full article

 

LivableStreets has met with the City of Somerville and MassDOT to discuss next steps and voice what you want. And this week, LivableStreets and other key advocacy organizations submitted a letter to request interim improvements and an implementation plan for the long-term vision to remove McGrath. 

 

Thanks to our Street Ambassadors and all who have signed postcards, attended the StreetTalk: Overpasses are so 1950's, and emailed and called their State Representatives. Together, we are working on the Remove McGrath Campaign and raising awareness about what our streets should be. Continue to support the campaign today by becoming a LivableStreets member and joining a growing community of people invested in creating safer, more livable streets and better transportation choices for you.

 
Bike4Life - we are almost halfway there!

Sunday, September 30th, 9am-2pm (first wave of riders go off at 9:30)
@ Auburndale Park, Newton, MA
    

We are almost 50% to our goal! Help us get halfway there this week! Register to ride, volunteer to help out the day of, and/or donate to help us reach our goal of $50,000 for more livable streets.

 

Join us for the 4, 8, 20 or 40 mile fundraising ride through the gorgeous fall foliage of Newton, Weston, Lincoln and Carlisle. Bring the kids to participate in the 4 or 8 mile route through the park and adjacent neighborhood led by CommonWheels Bicycle Co-op. Bike rentals will be provided on site by Urban AdvenTours.

 

Register and fundraise to participate in the ride and/or the post BBQ celebration along the Charles River.

 

Also, check out today's METRO coverage of the ride!

 

Email kara@livablestreets.info to be a part of the Bike4Life volunteer crew.

 

 
Infographics: The deadliest job isn't what you expect
Are we safer at work today than we were 20 years ago?

 

"Fishing, logging, farming, and working as an aircraft pilot and flight engineer count among the most dangerous jobs in America. But in raw numbers, they are not the deadliest. That grim distinction goes to driving."

 

The online workplace safety education company, eTraining, has produced charts based on 2011 data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Looks like we are safer than 20 years ago, if we stay off the road... LivableStreets is working to change this statistic by making our streets safer for everyone.

 

See full article and infographics here>>

 

 

Mayor's Cup and Hub on Wheels, September 22-23rd

Register to ride or volunteer with LivableStreets for the event

 

 

Join the ride or volunteer for Hub on Wheels, the City of Boston's 8th annual 10, 30 or 50 mile citywide ride. LivableStreets Alliance has been involved in Hub On Wheels since its inception. Come ride and/or volunteer! Need a LivableStreets orange t-shirt to ride in? Come by LivableStreets booth before the ride and make a $15 donation to get one. Want to volunteer, e-mail kara@livablestreets.info.

 

Head to City Hall on Saturday to watch and participate in the Mayor's Cup, Boston Pro Cycling Race and Festival. From noon until 6pm Boston will host kids, amateur and pro men and women races around City Hall Plaza. It's free and a thrill to watch! Plus, enjoy the Boloco Block Party, featuring live music and fun for the entire family. For more information, click here.

 

Count and be counted

It's people counting season! Volunteer to help count and be counted.

 

Boston Bikes needs volunteers to staff counting locations across the city during the morning (7a-9a) and evening (4p-6p). Sign up here to learn more. 

 

Central Transportation Planning Staff is looking for bike and pedestrian counters during 7am-7pm September 11, September 12 and/or September 13th, as well as Saturday, September 15 or Sunday, September 16th. Email Christine Bettin at cbettin@ctps.org for more details and to sign up.

 

People counts are critical to tracking trends and making the case for more livable streets.
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Thank you to our Platinum sponsors and business members:    
 

         
 
 
Sign up to be a LivableStreets sponsor or business member today!
Contact jackie@livablestreets.info for more details.