Metropolitan DC is going to be one of three regions in the U.S. to take part in the Safe Routes to School National Regional Policy Project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Regional Policy Project will focus on the inclusion of Safe Routes to School and related policy issues, such as Complete Streets and the programming of other transportation funds, in the regional transportation plan and related policy efforts led by the regional governments.
WABA employee Gina Carlotta will be the project organizer.
Bike league has a post about businesses that are offering the Bicycle Commuter Benefit. Has anyone gotten this? I was under the impression that there were still some rule making to be done (by GSA or someone), but it seems that both EPA and NPS-National Parks and Memorials offer it locally.
In New Jersey, a new rail bridge is being built over the Hackensack River and local bike advocates want it to include a bike/pedestrian path. A win there could set up a good precedent for the Long Bridge here.
The CityFix links to a story about a possible bike sharing system that uses cyclist energy to recharge a battery. The battery discharges into the stand when parked, and the cyclist gets credit for what they generated. Cool.
Michelle Obama encourages more kids to walk and bike more, and for localities to make infrastructure that makes that safe.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer writes about skiing on the Mall.
A city that was designed for travel by foot and horses loses some of its charm with modern traffic congestion. A deep snowfall is the perfect antidote, as it adds beauty, muffles sounds and discourages automobiles. The broad streets and sidewalks reveal their grandeur when covered with snow instead of cars.
I work for SAIC, and get the tax credit for biking to work. When i first started there, they were very up front with the fact that they offer it, and encouraged people to sign up if they biked or walked to work. couldn't have been easier...
Posted by: JTS | February 13, 2010 at 10:52 AM
LOL at Mr. Plow. Anyone interested in sponsoring that guy to build a small fleet of those and get a bunch of people to clear the bike trails here?
As for being out on the Mall in the snow, I can tell you that it was very eerie on Tuesday night when I had to walk home. (Metro closed the above-ground lines early.) Almost no cars and only a couple other people outside in all of downtown D.C. The snow muted ambient noise, completing the surreal setting. It felt like I was in some post-apocalyptic video game or movie, certainly not the bustling capital of the free world.
Posted by: Michael | February 14, 2010 at 12:07 AM