News

News Archive : 2012 : February

Thesis Studies Impacts of Crosswalk Markings on Pedestrian Behavior

February 29, 2012

We are happy to share Emily Tracy’s senior thesis (UC San Diego) - Effects of Pedestrian Perceptions of Safety: An Examination of Pedestrian Crossing Behavior in Marked versus Unmarked Crosswalks. This study examines the relationship between pedestrian perceptions of their right of way in marked versus unmarked crosswalks and the level of caution they exercise when crossing.

Open Streets Guide Just Released

February 27, 2012

The Alliance for Biking and Walking and Streets Plan Collaborative launched the Open Streets Project, a collection of best practices on open streets from across the continent. The Open Streets Project was formed to share information about open streets and increase the number, size, and frequency of initiatives occurring across North America. With that goal in mind, they released the Open Streets Guide.

Transportation Laws Can Affect Health

February 22, 2012

Enjoy this nice op-ed piece by America Walks Advisory Committee Member, Dr. James Sallis.

SRTS Webinar Focuses on Winter Walking

As we enter the coldest months of the year, many Safe Routes to School programs are put on hold due to the challenges of winter walking and cycling. Cold and icy conditions don’t have to be roadblocks to the ongoing success of your program. Find out more from the experts at the FREE webinar, Making the Cold Cool, Keeping your SRTS Program Going During the Winter, on Tuesday, February 28, at 1:00pm EST.  Register here.

New Report Ranks Cities and States on Walking and Biking

February 8, 2012

How do your city and state rank when it comes to biking and walking? Find out in Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, a report just released from the Alliance for Biking and Walking. This is a compilation of data on walking and biking from all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities, including compelling information on walking and biking levels and demographics; bicycle and pedestrian safety; funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects; economic impact; public health indicators and more.

Amendment to Preserve Dedicated Funding for Walk/Bike Voted Down!

February 3, 2012

We’re down, but not out! Stay tuned for our follow-up strategy to save walking and biking. Yesterday, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted down (27 to 29) an amendment to preserve dedicated funding for walking and biking in the proposed transportation bill.  Find out more about the transportation bill and why it’s bad for walking and biking.

House Bill Reverses Decades of Progress on Walking/Biking

February 1, 2012

Take action NOW! If your US Representative is on the Transportation Committee, tell them to preserve walking and biking. The House released its transportation bill, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act. We expected the bill to be bad news for walking and biking. But we didn’t think it would go so far as to reverse all progress pedestrian and bicycle advocates have made over the past 20 years.