Car Culture
Streetsblog Basics
Times Shows Little Love for Livable Streets
Are you "a certain kind of urban idealist"? Chances are that if you read Streetsblog, the answer is yes. At least according to the New York Times.
July 11, 2008
DC Defends Livable Streets Improvements as WaPo Declares “War”
In an effort to improve safety and mobility for pedestrians and cyclists, Washington, DC has embarked on a number of livable streets reforms (market rate street parking), and is considering others (reclaiming auto-occupied street space for people). Though a recent article in the Washington Post casts these initiatives as a "war" against car commuters, it's clear that DC officials -- like those in many US cities -- are in fact acting to level the field following decades of auto dominance, and at a time when driving has become a more expensive, less desirable option.
July 9, 2008
L.A. Doc Takes Out Road Rage on Cyclists, Injuring Two
Via Streetsblog LA, a story of motorist anger run amok this past holiday weekend:
July 9, 2008
New Mayor Could Weaken London Congestion Charge
London Mayor Boris Johnson may scale back the congestion pricing plan put in place by Ken Livingstone, whom Johnson defeated in May. The Times is reporting that the current 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. flat rate charge could be altered in a number of ways, including a reduction in the hours during which the fee is applied and reversing an extension of the zone, which was implemented last year.
July 9, 2008
Cartoon Tuesday: It’s (Not) Funny Because It’s True
This AM New York cartoon, currently making the rounds on e-mail, was surely a ridiculous exaggeration when first published in 2004. But it's not as far off the mark today. As the Times reports, Florida is the latest state to start giving away free "gas for life" as a lottery prize. And though the jackpot, in reality, is $2,600 in prepaid gas cards every year until the winner's death, some Floridians say they would prefer that prize to the game's $250,000 cash payout, regardless of which would actually be more valuable.
July 8, 2008
Ad Nauseam: Auto Zone, or Twilight Zone?
This Auto Zone ad is one for the ages. The dark ages.
June 20, 2008
Georgia Governor Comes Around on Commuter Rail
Display of Georgia progress at the Welcome Center on I-85, near the South Carolina border
June 20, 2008
Nets Look to Lure Fans With Free Gas
Given the New Jersey Nets' lackluster season (34-48 record, no playoff berth), the franchise is taking a page from another under-performer to unload tickets for next year. That's right: buy 2008-2009 season tickets and the Nets will return 10 percent of the cost in the form of "free" gas, which fans will presumably burn up on the way to all those home games. 'Cause with the Nets, it's not about winning or losing, or even how you play. It's about the free gas.
June 13, 2008