Annika Lundkvist, FSI’s Post

Confession: When I was a regular driver, I was deeply annoyed by the rapid pedestrianization of my patch of London. It seemed to happen overnight without notification, let alone consultation. For the most part I only ever drove sparingly, usually a few times a month, yet whenever I did so would increasingly roll up to dead-ends or be funneled through crazy work-arounds, leading me to get lost in my own neighbourhood more than once. I missed drop-offs and appointments; I grumbled to neighbours, friends and the local council. But even before I gave up my car, the benefits of these newly pedestrianized areas were clear: better air, better vibes, more space for greening. As a driver, I adjusted, all the while wishing I'd known more about what was happening and wondering, as a fairly plugged-in local resident, why I hadn't. I no longer have a car, yet I know many people who genuinely need them. But too often, drivers are made to feel like the bad guys in the pedestrianizing conversation. Urban residents all want the same thing: cities that move, breathe, and allow us to live together as easily as possible. Clarity, communication, and consultation are the keys to making pedestrianizing work, whether you own a set of car keys or not. #Pedestrianization

https://lnkd.in/dNSE4jsj "Many local governments aim to reduce traffic crashes only by changing drivers’ and passengers’ behaviors through things like seatbelt- and helmet-wearing campaigns. This approach puts the onus on individuals rather than the city to make streets safer. Complete Streets changes the paradigm, emphasizing the creation (or redesign) of streets that are safe, accessible and enjoyable for individuals of all ages and abilities"

8km of new highway is set to transform the New England town of Singleton as around 15,000 vehicles per day are removed from the town’s streets. The New England Highway Singleton Bypass will reduce the number of heavy and oversized vehicles within the town, bypass five sets of traffic lights, ease congestion and improve safety for all road users. With interactive mapping and detailed project information, our portal https://lnkd.in/gjvCm5mZ showcases the numerous benefits that the project will bring to the region and the state’s highway network. Recent portal updates for Transport for NSW have allowed the community to quickly understand the outcomes and project modifications from the Review of Environmental Factors (REF). New mapping layers and supporting documentation provide easy-to-understand and easy-to-use information to support community engagement. One of our favourite elements of this portal is the before-and-after sliders, which show exactly how key aspects of the proposed project will interface with existing assets. This enables users to understand exactly how the project will impact the local environment. Added to that is a spectacular fly-through video that takes users through the entirety of the Singleton Bypass.

In my talks with fellow researchers & advocates, people sometimes share with me how uncomfortable they are 'telling people to walk & take public transportation' when many communities do not have the options to do so (or do so at all) safely. I completely agree. Having grown up totally car-dependent & also having experienced living in communities that lacked pedestrian infrastructure and/or dependable #publictransportation during multiple chapters of my adult life, I don't only mentally grasp this point of view but have the life experience to understand living in environments where #walkability has not been prioritized & it feels scary, unsafe & inconvenient to move by foot. That's exactly why at Pedestrian Space, since its establishment, I have been committed to a holistic approach to advocating for pedestrian-prioritized communities. But being aware of the problems we face in communities where a radical re-prioritization of walking, cycling & public transit needs to take place doesn't need to cancel out simultaneously communicating a message of love for being able to move by foot. Advocating for walkability where it needs to be improved is as much a part of the foundation of my approach as is sharing my deep appreciation for being able to move around communities I live in by foot. Communicating how I experience & view mobility as a core value (which I wrote about for the current issue of ITS International Magazine: https://lnkd.in/dirRWagp) is an important part of the spirit at Pedestrian Space. I look back on so many moments of my life, before the word #walkability had entered my vocabulary, and it all becomes so clear how deeply I valued all opportunities to move safely & with ease by foot in a community. The Winter edition of the Seasonal Pedestrian Space newsletter will come out later this month & include some exciting calls for participation. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/eeDcHP_V 📷 Walking in Central Park, NYC with my son in January 2016

🚶♂️🚶♀️ Clear sidewalks aren't just pathways; they're lifelines of connectivity and inclusivity for pedestrians. As we navigate our urban landscapes, let's remember that blocked sidewalks aren't just an inconvenience—they're a barrier to accessibility and dignity for everyone, especially those with mobility challenges. By keeping sidewalks clear, we ensure that everyone can move freely and independently. Let's work together to prioritize pedestrian-friendly environments. Follow Pedestrian Pride Project for more insights on building inclusive communities one step at a time! #ClearSidewalks #AccessibilityForAll #InclusiveCommunities

Community landscapes are changing, and transit agencies are adapting.   With the rising cost of living, people often move farther away and out of reach of traditional public transit. At the same time, super commuters are taking advantage of hybrid work and driving longer distances only a few times per week.   While traditional fixed route modes will always be vital for communities, these shifts demand new mobility strategies with flexible, safe, and cost-effective solutions.    Vanpooling is gaining momentum throughout the country as transit agencies work to reduce transit deserts, increase rider access, and rebuild ridership. 

🚶♀️ Greetings from Denver at the Association for Commuter Transportation Annual Conference! 🌟 During a recent presentation at the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Citizens' Advisory Committee, the Vice-Chair asked me which cities are great examples of walkability. I mentioned Washington D.C., but William Cross, AICP suggested his favorite: Denver. Now that I’m here, I see why! 🏙️🏞️ Denver's walkability is impressive. The crosswalk network is robust, making it a breeze to navigate on foot. One standout feature? No pedestrian request buttons at intersections! Here’s why this approach might work so well: 🔹 Tech Savvy: Utilizes advanced technology for efficient and safe crossings. 🔹 Smooth Pedestrian Experience: Ensures crossings are easy and predictable. 🔹 Promotes Walking: Encourages more walking, reducing car reliance. 🔹 Accessibility: Enhances accessibility for everyone. What’s your favorite city for walkability? Share your thoughts! 🚶♂️🌍 #ACTConference #Walkability #UrbanPlanning #Denver #CommuteBroward

#CityPlanning | Big city #transportation projects get a lot of attention, but today we're spotlighting some of our favorite City Stories, where smaller agencies are doing more with less to address #mobility challenges in their communities. Read below to see how City of Pasadena reduced #speeding by 60% with data-backed traffic calming measures, while City of Temecula solved #congestion 3 months faster by retiming traffic signals across the city. Last but not least, one #California city proved the positive impact of highway turn restrictions and ramp meters to curb cut-through traffic, using data-driven communications to earn resident support.

Daily ridership on the Lexington Avenue line (4, 5, and 6 trains) alone far outpace transit ridership in entire cities. The sheer scale of New York's transit system cannot be understated. It's a shame a lot of our other major and star cities don't compare when it comes to transit access and usage. #publictransport #urbanplanning

We keep building more bigger roads and flyovers but are we actually addressing the real problem in our cities? Are we actually solving the problem of congestion and traffic? As our cities grow, traffic will too. More highways incentivezes more driving leading to more traffic. The actual problem is not solved. Citizens should be incentivised to walk(pedestrian centric city planning can ensure this), use cycles and public transportation. Our cities need to be less car dependent. And city planning needs to be centred around citizen movement. Urban planners ! Would love to hear your opinions on same. #xplor #publiccommute #urbanplanning #cities #suburban