Shopping Plaza Design Failure

Interesting post on the Streetsblog network on how the most urban places are not necessarily the best designed from a pedestrian and bicycle perspective: http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/17/the-failure-of-design-in-downtown-new-haven/

Excellent Videos on Promoting Cycling

Excellent videos on how cities are promoting cycling: http://www.copenhagenize.com/2009/07/how-cities-are-promoting-cycling.html

Our favorite is the educational piece from Paris. It's amazing how much that city has changed since Velib was introduced.

Should Motorists Pay a Medical Tax?

See here for background.

NYC Bike Lane Blocked

Forced out of a bike lane by the Daily News!

Zipcar Use Growing in Some CT Cities

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/traffic_autos/autos/Zipcar-Booms-New-Haven-Drivers-Car-Free.html

New Haven is a gas pedal above the rest when it comes to rental cars. Instead of making monthly car payments, more than 1,400 residents are cutting back but avoiding being stranded with Zipcars.

Zipcar is a way to get around when you need a car, without having the burden of owning the car and spending cash on insurance and maintenance. It’s also better for the environment because people are sharing cars rather than having their own.

When will the Park City have zipcars parked every few blocks, like Philadelphia, NY City or New Haven? Would there be a market here?

Also see NH Independent reporting here.

Safe Streets Newsletter Issued in New Haven

A good model for local communications around "livable streets" issues: http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/new-haven-safe-streets-coalition/safe-streets-update-070909

Local and State Complete Streets Bills Signed Into Law

Will Bridgeport follow in the footsteps of other towns? A summary of ongoing local and state progress, posted at Design New Haven, can be found here.

Bus Fare Hike Proposal: Not Dead

Bike Hartford reports here: http://www.bikehartford.com/2009/07/bus-fare-hike-battle-continues-in.html. Along with many legislative, advocacy and agency partners at the state level, the Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority has been instrumental in lobbying against the proposed hike.