baltimorespokes

A car is often—even usually—the wrong tool for the job in a dense urban setting. And using the wrong tool makes you frustrated and impatient.
By SARAH GOODYEAR, City Lab
https://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/12/how-i-became-an-urban-monster-in-just-10-minutes/384128/
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[B’ Spokes: After being car free for 2 decades and just starting to drive again, I can relate to this article. Those of you that drive everyday I have no idea how you manage. Luckily I can still do what I need to do most days by bike so I am managing just fine.]

-> According to the October FHWA’s Fostering Livable Communities Newsletter, "AARP Livable Communities has partnered with the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute to create the AARP Livability Fact Sheet series, a package of comprehensive, easy-to-read livability resources (https://bit.ly/1vTfVSE). The fact sheets can be used by community leaders, policy makers, transportation planners, citizen activists, and others to learn what makes a city, town, or neighborhood a great place for people of all ages…
"Each fact sheet in the 11-part series is a four-page PDF document that can be read online or printed and distributed… Each fact sheet follows the same structure: introduce the subject; address and resolve any myths and misconceptions; and then provide relevant advice, tips, and success stories…
"The series covers the following topics: Bicycling, Density, Economic Development, Form-Based Code, Modern Roundabouts, Parking, Revitalization Without, Road Diets, Sidewalks, Street Trees, Traffic Calming."
Source: https://1.usa.gov/1nwROWQ
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.

-> According to a Dec. 10th CMAP article, "The Active Transportation Alliance surveyed driver behavior at 52 marked and unmarked crossing locations around Chicago and in neighboring suburbs to better understand the relationship between compliance with the state law requiring motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and crosswalk type or design. (Illinois Drivers Must Stop for Pedestrians Law: Observational Study of Motorists’ Compliance: https://bit.ly/1z2XL2j)
"The study involved crosswalks with no pavement markings, crosswalks delineated by traditional pavement markings (two striped lines defining the crosswalk), and crosswalks with additional safety features such as in-road "stop for pedestrians" signs, textured or colored surfaces, raised crosswalks, or flashing beacons. The survey found that compliance was lowest at unmarked crosswalks, where only 5 percent of motorists stopped for pedestrians. Eighteen percent of drivers stopped for pedestrians at traditional painted crosswalks. Compliance was highest at the crosswalks enhanced with other safety features, where 61 percent of motorists stopped for pedestrians."
Source: https://1.usa.gov/1wEZU1Z
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.

-> According to a Dec. 12th APBP Member Listserve posting from Jessica Zdeb, "The Council in Washington, DC just passed a rule in follow up to the 2007 Bicycle Commuter and Parking Expansion Act that requires residential buildings of 8 units or more to provide secure bike parking at a 1 to 3 ratio. It might not sound that exciting, but tenants may request retrofitting of an existing building, and spaces must be provided within 30 days of the request. Retrofits require the lesser of the 1 to 3 ratio or enough to meet the requested demand.
"Note that all spaces required are preferably indoors, but if not feasible, shall be secure, covered and adjacent to the building. Some savvy developers are already exceeding this minimum here, but it is now the law of the District. See all associated documents of the rulemaking here: https://1.usa.gov/16rBWxA
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.
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[B’ Spokes: We need the same rule here, including businesses. (I’m tired of stores that have made their (handicap parking) sign poles unusable for bike parking with a cement casing.)]