William Watkins, MBA’s Post

"Transportation investments that support active travel -- like greenways, trails, sidewalks, traffic-calming devices, and public transit -- create opportunities to increase routine physical activity, improve health, and lower health care costs," writes U.S. DOT's Todd Solomon this morning on Secretary Anthony Foxx's Fast Lane blog. "The same investments promote sustainability." All of these numbers are a testament to the importance of street design and transit service in how we make our transportation choices and how healthy we are. The statistic about route selection in Portland particularly illustrates how significant good bike facilities are. The same study that found that 49 percent of bike commuters' miles were ridden on roads with bike facilities also found that 10 percent of utilitarian bicycle travel -- as opposed to bicycling just for exercise -- occurred on bicycle boulevards, even though bicycle boulevards make up less than 1 percent of the region's bicycle network. Cities can keep this in mind if they're wondering whether anyone will use the new bike infrastructure they're thinking of investing in. Kudos to U.S. DOT for publicizing these important facts!

"Reimagining Roads: How Cycling Lanes Hold the Key to Safer, Healthier Cities" In light of recent discussions and data surrounding the causes of fatalities in our communities, it's becoming increasingly clear that our urban planning and societal priorities may need a significant reevaluation. The stark contrast between the number of deaths caused by automobile accidents compared to those resulting from bicycle accidents or even gun-related incidents in Canada sheds light on an underlying issue within our infrastructure and policy focus. The government's role in enforcing more bike lanes is not just about promoting a healthier lifestyle or a greener environment; it's about fundamentally rethinking public safety and urban design. The data suggests that the disproportionate allocation of urban space for high-speed automobile lanes, coupled with the increasing size of vehicles, significantly contributes to the high rate of fatalities associated with car accidents. This situation calls for a shift towards designing urban areas that prioritize bicycle transportation and pedestrian access. By reallocating space to accommodate more bike lanes and slower traffic zones, we can create safer, more inclusive, and sustainable urban environments. Such a shift would not only reduce the number of fatalities and injuries but also enhance the quality of life by fostering community interaction, reducing pollution, and encouraging physical activity. The argument for more bike lanes and redesigned urban spaces is not merely about convenience or environmental conservation; it's a matter of public health and safety. As we move forward, it's crucial for policymakers, urban planners, and the community at large to consider the data and push for changes that prioritize the well-being of all citizens. Investing in infrastructure that supports cycling and walking isn't just beneficial; it's essential for building safer, more resilient communities. In conclusion, the evidence is clear: to reduce fatalities and improve public safety, we need to start policing the "wrong axis" in our society—the excessive prioritization of automobile traffic over safer, more sustainable modes of transportation like cycling. By doing so, we can work towards a society that values and protects the lives of its citizens through thoughtful urban design and policy reform. #UrbanDesign #PublicSafety #BikeLanesSaveLives #SustainableCities #PolicyReform #SaferStreets #CyclingForChange #GreenTransport #CommunityWellbeing #RethinkMobility #InfrastructureMatters #ActiveTransportation

🚫🚗 Car-free days are an excellent way to try alternate modes of transport and mitigate the negative impacts of cars. But they're misunderstood. WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities busts the myths around car-free days and shares examples of cities who have implemented smart and regular car-free days and are reaping the benefits of these policies. More here ⬇️ https://bit.ly/46fUW0d

New Urban Freight Lab paper: Cargo bikes are cities’ secret weapon against climate change, collisions, and congestion — but getting more of these last-mile workhorses on the street will require a strategic approach that goes beyond basic bike-friendliness. 📰 https://lnkd.in/d2GTNTHE 📊 White Paper: Biking the Goods — How North American Cities Can Prepare for and Promote Large-Scale Adoption of E-Cargo Bikes: https://lnkd.in/gN4HX5A2

"...Identify prioritized destinations, identify barriers to increasing #pedestrian and #cyclist participation, inquire about ways to enhance #walking convenience, and request respondents to evaluate visual representations of various #infrastructure." Learn more https://loom.ly/0mZ1yjk #cityoflacrosse #bikepedplan #accessibility #transportation

📢 We are sharing 10 essential principles for creating #sustainable, people-centric cities. Join us in transforming our urban landscapes for a healthier, more livable future!   Here is a sneak peek:  🌆 Planning compact and accessible cities: Let's design cities that prioritize #walkability, cycling, and public transportation over private cars.    🚇 Developing transit-oriented cities: Let's create neighborhoods and communities centered around public transit stations, making it easier and more convenient for everyone to use #publictransport.    🛣️ Getting the infrastructure right: Let's invest in well-maintained and efficient infrastructure for walking, cycling, and public transport. Safe sidewalks, #bikelanes, bus lanes, and stations are essential for a sustainable transport system.    🚶♀️🚶♂️ Encouraging walking and cycling: Let's promote #activemobility by making it safe, convenient, and appealing. Walking and cycling not only reduce emissions but also improve our health and well-being.    💻 Advancing smart mobility management: Let's use technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our transport systems. Real-time traffic #data, intelligent traffic signal control, and integrated public transport #ticketing systems can make our cities run smoother and more sustainably.    Download the principles here ▶️ bit.ly/498kNJj and stay tuned for more detailed insights into each of them!    #WeChangeTransport (CT) 

Who defines the shape of our cities, towns, and local communities? Planners? Architects? Developers? Local businesses and institutions? Yes, these entities play a limited role in shaping our surroundings. But no force has determined our environment more than accommodating cars. Before the advent of the automobile, the spatial networks of city streets, pathways, and built forms were defined mostly by the patterns of human walking behaviors, horse and carriage movement, and bicycles. In the 1890s, a bicycle craze took hold of the US, accelerated by the innovations of chain drive transmissions, gear ratios, and pneumatic (inflatable air-filled) tires. As the talented writer Caitlin Hernández describes in her LAist article, Horace Dobbins, a wealthy business leader and mayor of Pasadena, noticed this bike craze in 1897 and secured the right of way to build an elevated tollway for bicycles and other horseless vehicles. This 9-foot-wide wooden pathway went from the Green Hotel in Pasadena to Los Angeles. However, the ambitious project came to a screeching halt when the faster, larger automobile arrived on the scene.  Dobbins' cycleway was eventually transformed into the Arroyo Seco/ Pasadena Freeway, better known in LA as "The 110." Every day, this highway turns into a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam and a frustrating parking lot full of angry drivers.    While the "freeway" was supposed to allow people to travel through the city faster and farther than ever, it now holds people hostage in their cars for hours of daily commuting. Worse, the massive highway infrastructures left a costly, dangerous, and dehumanizing experience for those in its wake. It's hard to stop progress, particularly when it involves speed. But we must admit that our appetite for speed comes at a cost to our environment, climate, and quality of life. Solving the issues of cars, highways, pollution, and the destructive force of freeway blight on cities is a tough nut to crack. But the great thing about humans is that we can learn from our mistakes and course-correct our future trajectory through better design. The most successful cities worldwide have realized that we're much better off with fewer cars dictating the shape and form of our surroundings. Locals are taking back their streets and prioritizing the human walking experience over car dominance, which is good for business and our quality of life. https://lnkd.in/gV8JvGzs #bicycles #bikes #commuting #cars #cities #life #qualityoflife #urbanliving #architecture #design #development #pedestrians #pedestriancommunities #walkability #losangeles #pasadena

MOBILITY PLAN 2035 -- The Los Angeles Mobility Plan 2035 was designed to guide LA's transportation policies and investments over the next couple of decades. Key elements and goals of the plan included: 🚴 1. Multi-Modal Approach: Emphasis on multi-modal transportation, including walking, cycling, public transit, and private vehicles, to create a balanced and sustainable transportation network. 🚙 2. Complete Streets: Create "complete streets" that accommodate all users, regardless of their mode of transportation (pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users). 🚌 3. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Encouraging development around transit hubs to promote a more transit-friendly urban environment, reduce dependency on private vehicles, and enhance accessibility. 🚶♀️ 4. Safety: Measures to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. 🌿 5. Sustainability: Promoting modes of transportation that reduce environmental impacts, such as walking, cycling, and public transit. 📣 6. Public Outreach and Engagement: Public input and engagement in the development and implementation of the plan to ensure that it reflects the needs and preferences of the community. The Los Angeles Mobility Plan 2035 aimed to transform the city's transportation infrastructure to better accommodate the diverse needs of its residents while addressing issues such as traffic congestion, air quality, and overall livability. In our next post, we'll talk about an issue on the March ballot for LA residents that involves Mobility Plan 2035.

💡 Take a look at these 10 essential principles for creating sustainable, people-centric cities!

🚲 Bikeability and Walkability: Keys to Community Health and Sustainable Environment 🌿 In today's fast-paced world, focusing on sustainable and healthy transportation methods has become more crucial than ever. Bikeability and walkability are two significant approaches that can have a profound impact on community health and the environment. 🌍 Benefits of Bikeability and Walkability 💪 1. Improved Physical Health 🏃♀️: Studies show that regular cycling and walking can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by up to 30% (Celis-Morales et al., 2017). 2. Reduced Air Pollution 🌬️: Replacing cars with bicycles and walking can decrease greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10% (Woodcock et al., 2009). 3. Enhanced Mental Health 🧠: Regular physical activity reduces stress and improves mental well-being (Biddle & Asare, 2011). 4. Economic Savings 💰: Using bicycles and walking can reduce transportation costs by up to 50% (Litman, 2021). Strategies to Encourage Bikeability and Walkability 🚀 1. Improve Infrastructure 🛣️: Create safe and attractive bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths. 2. Education and Culture Building 📚: Conduct awareness campaigns and teach cycling skills. 3. Financial Incentives 💳: Offer tax deductions or subsidies for bicycle purchases. 4. Integration with Public Transport 🚌: Provide facilities for carrying bicycles on public transport vehicles. By encouraging and supporting bikeability and walkability, we can take a significant step towards creating healthier and more sustainable communities. Will you join this movement? 🤔 #Bikeability #Walkability #CommunityHealth #SustainableEnvironment #GreenTransport #UrbanPlanning