The Conscious Commuter
Streetsblog Basics
Positively 3rd Street
Strolling up 3rd Street in Park Slope from 7th Avenue toward Prospect Park, it’s easy to see this is one of the most magnificent streets in what is, let’s face it, one of the prettiest neighborhoods in the city. The homes, built in the late 19th century and often clad in white stone, are set back further. The double flanking of trees lend a calming tone. A bike lane is set along one side of the one-way street.
January 25, 2013
Streetcars in Seattle, Or Why America Should Mind Its Transit Gaps
The rider went down -- Boom! -- just as she turned to see if the streetcar was getting close to her. Turning to look was her undoing, because her wheel got caught in the big gap between rail and street, toppling her hard. The big blue streetcar was only ten feet or so behind her, but luckily was slowing down and did not run her over. Scary though.
June 9, 2009
Barcelona, 100 Years Ago: A Model for Streets Today?
This film, as featured on YouTube via Infrastructurist, shows the streets of Barcelona a century ago, taken from the front window of a tram going down the street. It's an amazing film. The central avenues of this Catalan city are so vital, so alive, a mix of every activity. Then the film compares the old streets to the same streets today. Quite a comparison.
April 3, 2009
Americans, David Brooks, and “The Dutch Option”
Ben Fried got it exactly right about the errors that riddled Tuesday's David Brooks column. Brooks was so far off the mark, though, that it's worth another look at the ways he misled readers.
February 19, 2009
A Broken Hip and the Merits of Scooters
"Ouch" was my first thought, as I lay on the ice in my building's parking lot, my scooter and black shoulder bag some feet away from me. What I would later learn was a broken hip screamed for my attention in a strange but compelling new language.
February 13, 2009
On Potato Omelets and Winter Cycling
A Spanish tortilla, unlike the Mexican version, is essentially
a potato omelet. You fry some diced-up onions and potatoes in oil, and then
pour in some beaten egg. Flip it over, and voila, you have a tasty, round
golden thing to cut into slices and eat.
March 18, 2008
Let’s Chop Up Superblocks
Forest City's Atlantic Yards project would create two massive superblocks in Prospect Hts., Brooklyn
February 22, 2008
From Mad Messenger to More Peaceful Cyclist
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a bicycle courier.
January 14, 2008
Rocky Road
Cycling intimately acquaints you with every bump, slice, crease, divot, ledge, ripple and of course pothole in a street, because not noticing means you might get thrown off your steed into bone-breaking and life ending car traffic.
December 19, 2007