News
News Archive : 2010 : January
Alliance 2010 Benchmarking Report: Information & Findings
January 30, 2010
In these times of high gas prices, a warming climate, increasing traffic congestion, and expanding waistlines, increasing bicycling and walking are goals that are clearly in the public interest. As this report shows, where bicycling and walking levels are higher, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes levels are lower. Click here to read more about the Alliance for Biking & Walking’s 2010 Benchmarking Report, released on January 28, 2010.
Forget Gum. Walking and Using Phone Is Risky.
January 27, 2010
Last week, America Walks highlighted pedestrian safety, asking drivers to pay attention to the activity at hand. A recent article in The New York Times, however, reminds us that pedestrian safety is also the responsibility of the pedestrian. Click here to read more.
First Lady Recognizes Mayor Hindman and Columbia, Missouri’s Pedestrian Network
January 23, 2010
In her speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors on January 20, First Lady Michelle Obama complimented the town of Columbia, MO, where America Walks Board Member Ian Thomas and America Walks organizational member The PedNet Coalition have been working with the Mayor’s office for years to build an active and healthy community. Mrs. Obama said, “Mayor Darwin Hindman of Columbia, MO is building a system of walkways and bikeways in his city that will connect businesses and shopping centers to schools, parks, and neighborhoods.” Click here to read more.
Working out on the way to work
January 21, 2010
Tina Moore of goodinc.com forwarded America Walks a look at the number of active commutes in several countries, as compared to those countries’ obesity rates. Click here to check it out!
Drivers need to pay attention to the activity at hand
January 19, 2010
Richard Corbett of Arizona Walks, an America Walks organizational member, highlights pedestrian safety in an op-ed article for The Arizona Daily Star.
Designing roads that guide drivers to choose safer speeds
January 16, 2010
A report published in November 2009 describes an investigation into whether or not physical characteristics of the roadway and the roadside environment are associated with actual vehicle running speeds, and how actual vehicle running speeds are associated with the occurrence and severity of motor vehicle crashes in conjunction with other roadway and roadside characteristics. Click here to read the full report.
Unprecedented ADA Accessibility Settlement in CA
January 14, 2010
An immense, unprecedented settlement has been proposed between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and civil rights activists representing the disabled.
The settlement provides for the agency to spend $1.1 billion over 30 years to repair and improve state-controlled sidewalks, crosswalks and park-and-ride facilities so they are accessible for people with disabilities. Additionally, the agency will upgrade or install curb ramps when needed as roads are resurfaced or reconstructed. Read more >
A void paved over with concrete
January 12, 2010
Click here to read a powerful article by Richard L. Birch, published in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Journal Sentinal.
Group Seeks Pedestrian-Friendly Roads
January 9, 2010
A great story by reporter Brenda Wilson on National Public Radio as a result of Dangerous by Design, featuring a woman who is taking her life in her hands trying to get to her bus stop and a Virginia Department of Transportation official admitting that the roads they build are unsuitable for walking. Click here to listen to the story or to read the transcript.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Requests Comments by Jan. 12
January 7, 2010
FTA has published a federal registry notice describing the eligibility of pedestrian and bicycle improvements for FTA funding and proposes a formal policy on the catchment area for pedestrians and bicyclists in relationship to public transportation stops and stations. The proposed policy would expand FTA funding eligibility for bicycle and pedestrian improvements beyond the current threshold distances of one-half mile for pedestrian projects and within three miles for bicycle improvements. Click here to view the registry and provide comment.
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