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Continue reading “BMC TO LAUNCH SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE WITH FREE EVENT MARCH 25th”
Obama’s Clean Energy Policy Elevates Efficient Cars Over Efficient Modes
by Tanya Snyder, Streets Blog
It has a nice ring to it: using oil and gas revenue to shift transportation off oil and gas dependence. President Obama announced a plan to do just that on Friday — but the details of his plan are disappointing if you want to see the conversation on clean transportation go beyond cars.
Hey, it’s OK — they’re all electric cars. Photo: A Marked Man
The Energy Security Trust would be funded with $2 billion in oil and gas revenues, in what the Washington Post called a “jujitsu” move – using oil and gas money to hasten the elimination of oil and gas as a transportation fuel.
This handy infographic from the Energy Department about what the money will fund shows just how narrowly defined the trust is. Light fuel tanks for natural gas, advanced vehicle batteries, cleaner biofuels, hydrogen fuel-cell technology. But as David Burwell of the Carnegie Endowment’s Climate Program notes, “it has the distinct sound — to use a Zen Buddhist metaphor — of one hand clapping.”
“Certainly, electric vehicles and advanced biofuels are a key tool in drastically reducing the 70 percent of total U.S. oil consumption devoted to transportation,” Burwell said. “However, it misses at least two additional key elements of any oil-back-out scheme — (1) more trip choices and (2) reducing the need to travel.”
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Bicycles are vehicles
Drive to work… more benefits then you can imagine. :p
Via BikeArlington
Just stop it already
What happens when you promote cars? This:
What happens when you break the cycle? All kinds of good stuff, see for yourself:
https://www.copenhagenize.com/2013/03/closing-streets-to-cars-for-good.html
What Do They Really Think? Perceptions of Biking on Capitol Hill
[B’ Spokes: This is probably close to what the Maryland legislature feels as well.]
By Liz Murphy, Bike League
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The good news: Everyone understands that biking is a key piece of the mobility puzzle.
But Meyer’s research also revealed challenges — and opportunities. Other top findings included:
- Bicycle advocates as “sore winners:” The interviews revealed that federal lawmakers generally believe bicycle advocates don’t get just how successful we were in the passage of the new transportation law, MAP-21. While opponents aimed to eliminate all funding and eligibility for bicycling, Congressional allies and grassroots mobilization kept biking in the bill. By spreading the message that MAP-21 was a loss for bicycling, has painted us as “sore winners” to many on Capitol Hill.
- Dedicated funding is not the end all, be all: While many in bicycle advocacy have pushed hard for dedicated funding streams in MAP-21 and other federal legislation, many on Capitol Hill don’t take well to the idea. They say the funding trend is away from the federal level, and has moved toward local and state decision makers.
- The future is a multi-modal transportation system; embrace it and use it: Rather than pitching Congress on the “bicycling movement,” staffers felt advocates would be more successful if be frame biking as a key cog in a larger multi-modal transportation system.
- Asking for a “fair share for safety” doesn’t resonate: To lawmakers, asking strictly for funding sounds like a money grab. Asking for safer streets through performance measures — or a national goal — is far more compelling. After all, bicyclists are a “cheap date,” and provide tremendous return on little investment.
Click here for Meyer’s full presentation. And stay tuned for more from the Summit…
The "benefits" of increased car ownership
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors backs cyclist harassment law
By BRETT WILKISON, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
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Critics say protections already are in place to punish those convicted of serious car-versus-bike crimes, and any ordinance targeting lesser incidents risks meddling in a murky area of law.
Supervisor Efren Carrillo said he understood cyclists and pedestrians already can sue for general harassment and intimidation.
While that is true, Deputy County Counsel Linda Schiltgen said, there are no laws specifically involving civil harassment of pedestrians and cyclists. A local ordinance would change that but would not necessarily require criminal enforcement, county officials said.
In the unincorporated area of the county, it would prohibit:
Physically assaulting or attempting to assault a bicyclist or pedestrian.
Intentionally injuring or attempting to injure, either by words, vehicle or other object, a bicyclist or pedestrian.
Intentionally distracting or attempting to distract a bicyclist.
Intentionally forcing or attempting to force a bicyclist or pedestrian off a street for purposes unrelated to public safety.
The ordinance also would prohibit pedestrians and cyclists from physically or verbally abusing other non-motorized users of county roads.
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https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130312/ARTICLES/130319887/1033/news?Title=Supervisors-back-cyclist-harassment-law-&tc=ar
I dream of a better world
[B’ Spokes: Can we say the same thing about jaywalking pedestrians? When will our streets accommodate desired purposes without questioning the motives of the vulnerable users?]
Continue reading “I dream of a better world”
Fire Department Bike Medics in action
Baltimore City Fire Department Bike Medics in action at the Saint Patrick’s Day 5K Run and Parade, Sunday, March 10, 2013!