An expansive new study from the renowned Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health adds to the body of evidence that wide lanes on urban streets promote more crashes, while narrow lanes—as narrow as nine feet—are safer.
The Calculus of Crossing the Street
I’m gearing up for a sprint. It’ll be at least 30 seconds until I’m given the green light to cross, but the bus with 20-minute headways—pretty good for this city outside of rush hour—is fast approaching on the other side of this intersection.
I’m gearing up for a sprint. It’ll be at least 30 seconds until I’m given the green light to cross, but the bus with 20-minute headways—pretty good for this city outside of rush hour—is fast approaching on the other side of this intersection.
Breaking: Durham, North Carolina, Just Eliminated Parking Mandates!
Minutes to midnight on Monday, November 20, 2023, Durham, North Carolina, became the ninth largest city to eliminate parking mandates for new developments citywide.
Minutes to midnight on Monday, November 20, 2023, Durham, North Carolina, became the ninth largest city to eliminate parking mandates for new developments citywide.
“How Can We Help Our City?” Start by Asking Questions.
In conjunction with Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women, the Local Conversation hosted a public political questionnaire forum for city council candidates.
In conjunction with Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women, the Local Conversation hosted a public political questionnaire forum for city council candidates.
We Are Experts in Our Own Reality. We See What’s Happening.
This happens pretty much every winter. And I always think to myself, “If the person operating the plough lived here, they would know that the sidewalk curves!”
This happens pretty much every winter. And I always think to myself, “If the person operating the plough lived here, they would know that the sidewalk curves!”
Rent Control Is an Anti-Displacement Policy, Not an Affordability Policy
Rent control gets held up as a sort of generic answer to high housing costs, particularly by those who are either explicitly anti-capitalist or otherwise don’t think the market on its own is capable of solving the problem of unaffordable rents for working-class people.
Rent control gets held up as a sort of generic answer to high housing costs, particularly by those who are either explicitly anti-capitalist or otherwise don’t think the market on its own is capable of solving the problem of unaffordable rents for working-class people.
No Purchase Necessary: Cities Need More Transaction-Free Spaces
I know there’s something magnetic about spaces where strangers can be alone together--especially without having to buy anything.
I know there’s something magnetic about spaces where strangers can be alone together–especially without having to buy anything.
The Hesitancy of Western Massachusetts to Address Traffic Deaths Is a Warning to All
The challenge in California, and throughout the entire western half of the country, is that the DNA of their places is mostly auto oriented.
The challenge in California, and throughout the entire western half of the country, is that the DNA of their places is mostly auto oriented.
Lessons From Estonia: Free Fares Alone Won’t Boost Ridership
When Tallinn moved to eliminate fares, they had a few goals in mind. For one, by limiting this program to city residents—nonresidents and visitors still have to pay—local leaders hoped that more people would call the capital home.
When Tallinn moved to eliminate fares, they had a few goals in mind. For one, by limiting this program to city residents—nonresidents and visitors still have to pay—local leaders hoped that more people would call the capital home.
Texan Local Advocates Put Couches and Potted Plants in Parking Spots
Denton advocates have participated in the nationally recognized Parking Day for many years, but it’s only been in the past two years that Stronger Denton and so many other groups have been involved.
Denton advocates have participated in the nationally recognized Parking Day for many years, but it’s only been in the past two years that Stronger Denton and so many other groups have been involved.
This City Is Not Waiting for a Crash to Happen Before Creating a Safer Street
As a quick reaction to the threatening danger, the school started to use orange cones in hopes to alert drivers people were nearby, and they should slow down.
As a quick reaction to the threatening danger, the school started to use orange cones in hopes to alert drivers people were nearby, and they should slow down.
Rick Steves: What Americans Can Learn From Europe’s People-Friendly Places
Connecting doesn't happen accidentally, it happens intentionally.
Connecting doesn’t happen accidentally, it happens intentionally.
We Need to Calm Down: How Liveable Streets Make Roadways Safer
The other day, I saw my neighbor’s kid, a sixth grader, riding his bike home down Pleasant Street in our town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
The other day, I saw my neighbor’s kid, a sixth grader, riding his bike home down Pleasant Street in our town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
The “Je Ne Sais Quoi” of Neighborliness
Nearly 10 years ago, I found myself boarding a bus heading from New York City to Providence, Rhode Island.
Nearly 10 years ago, I found myself boarding a bus heading from New York City to Providence, Rhode Island.
Street Fight: Why We Should Fight the Good Fight for Happy, Healthy, and Beautiful Places
A few people (well actually quite a lot) have asked me what I think of recent announcements and media reports on “the war on motorists.”
A few people (well actually quite a lot) have asked me what I think of recent announcements and media reports on “the war on motorists.”
To Address Public Washroom Shortage, This City Took an Incremental Approach
The city of Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada, has come up with small, immediately impactful steps to provide its residents with better access to public restrooms.
The city of Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada, has come up with small, immediately impactful steps to provide its residents with better access to public restrooms.