Upcoming Webinar

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012
10:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. PDT
Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility Considerations at Modern Roundabouts
This webinar will explore considerations for pedestrian safety and pedestrian accessibility at modern roundabout intersections. Modern roundabouts are one of FHWA’s proven safety countermeasures due to their clear and documented reductions in vehicle injury and fatal crashes compared to signalized intersections. However, the safety performance of roundabouts to pedestrians is less clear, and a lot of research in recent years has pointed to significant concerns about the accessibility of roundabouts to pedestrians who are blind.

Register here.

Walk Raleigh gets America moving

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Image courtesy Walk Raleigh

The pedestrian advocacy world has been buzzing over one graduate student's efforts to promote walking in North Carolina ever since the BBC featured the campaign in one of its Altered States segments this month. Working with a couple friends, Matt Tomasulo tagged utility poles around Raleigh with wayfinding signs touting walk times to popular destinations. The idea is that the signs will not only help visitors find their way around, but also remind everyone who hits the city streets how quick it can be to walk to a nearby destination instead of driving.

Sadly, city regulations prohibit unsanctioned signs like these, so the signs were removed a few days ago--but Tomasulo remains positive, calling the campaign a "tremendous experience" and promising "more is yet to come." Raleigh seems to agree, and has asked Tomasulo to attend its next Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission meeting so that members can discuss ways to incorporate the Walk Raleigh signs into the city's official pedestrian planning efforts.

This week on foot

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Is it just me, or has it been busier than normal out there in pedestrian land? The most pressing topic of the day continues to be the transportation bill renewal, and this week we learn from Transportation for America that The more they see, the less they like: 10 reasons why opposition to the House transportation bill is growing. Fortunately some in Congress are on board with that sentiment, like Oregon's Blumenauer: Don’t Let American Streets Remain Unsafe Routes to School. Too bad more folks in Congress don't seem to understand that good Transportation laws can affect health , on top of all their other benefits.

And it's not just in the US that Pedestrians not welcome on roads--as we've often discussed, India has its problems as well. Meanwhile over in Australia, one blogger wonders Is “eyes on the street” straining it? 

Back in this country, a National Walkability Expert to Address Value of Trails in Indiana, while In NYC, Florida, Asking Police to Step Up for Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety , Denver is urged to hit the sidewalks and there's a $6.8M project to improve bicycle, pedestrian trails that will link Camden, Philadelphia.

Here in LA one blog offers a Sneak Peek: East Cahuenga Pedestrian Alley Opens Tomorrow (er, yesterday), and There Will Be Polka Dots: Silver Lake Gets Adorable Pedestrian Plaza --but in the Valley, Northridge residents can't get city to fix buckled sidewalk.

Sacramento pedestrians have their troubles as well, where Amtrak riders must walk two-block distance to catch trains downtown. And while Texas Cities May Be Turning the Corner on Pedestrian Safety, in Canada Traffic countdown signal not helping, study finds. 

Oh, and in case you were wondering, That pedestrian crossing sign does NOT mean "run them over"--like in this case where a Pedestrian Gets Hit in Crosswalk by Car | Driver Says He Didn't See the Person at Night.  Of course it's not always darkness that's a problem--often it's those pesky devices that we seem to be so fond of using while driving. Fortunately this week the DOT Issues Voluntary Guidelines for Driver-Distracting Electronics Systems. With these, maybe soon we won't have to keep asking How did the pedestrian cross the street?

d more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/20/4276328/amtrak-riders
Are Urban ArConstruction of pedestrian flyovers a waste terials and Pedestrian Safety Mutually ESneak Peek: East Cahuenga Pedestrian Alley Opens Tomorrow
Northridge residents can't get city to fix buckled sidewalk
Silver Lake Boasts L.A.'s First Polka-Dotted Pedestrian Plaza

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More on Winter Walking

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A few months ago I wrote about the challenges pedestrians in snowy cities face each winter, and what some cities are trying to do about them. It might be springtime already here in LA, but there are still plenty of places struggling with the white stuff. Chicago recently launched the City of Big Shovels campaign to try to encourage sidewalk shoveling through public praise or, well, humiliation. According to the site:

"City of Big Shovels is a grassroots campaign to improve the City’s winter walkability by highlighting the importance of the well-shoveled sidewalk. Taking its cue from the famously effective Don’t Mess With Texas anti-litter campaign, City of Big Shovels puts a wry spin on the issue by appealing to Chicagoans’ rough and ready spirit and latent winter pride."

The site features photos (submitted by the public) of "snow angels"--who keep their sidewalks snow-free and safe for pedestrians-- and "snow flakes"--who don't.

Elsewhere in the country, Safe Routes to School are still going strong despite cold weather. If you'd like to learn how they do it, the Safe Routes Coaching Action Network will be presenting a webinar on February 28 at 10 am PST about Making the Cold Cool: Keeping Your SRTS Program Going During the Winter. From SRTS:

In this sixty minute webinar, Taylor Lonsdale the State SRTS Coordinator  for Montana, will provide an overview of the issues associated with winter walking and cycling and discuss why it is important to keep your SRTS program running through the  coldest months.   Jenna Zdunek, Health and Wellness Director for the Marquette, (MI)  YMCA,  will then explain how the Sandy Knoll Elementary School SRTS Program was able to overcome the administration's fears associated with winter walking.   She will also discuss how the School is addressing the problem of snowy sidewalks with their "School Shoveling Project."  And finally, Kerry Ott, the Manistique Community Coordinator - Strategic Alliance for Health, Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, will provide three  specific examples of how to make the challenges of winter walking fun and positive through the use of creative programs like  their "Golden Shovel Award," the "Scoop and Sculpt," and snow removal flash mobs.

Register here.

Upcoming Walking Events

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March 2
UCLA Complete Streets for California 2012 Conference

Featuring sessions on redfining street performance metrics, equity considerations, pollution control, a keynote speech by Gil Penalosa, and much more. More information and registration here.

March 6, 11:00 PST
Creating Healthy Communities Through Design: Improving Parks and Active Recreation Opportunities

Creating neighborhoods with great parks, open space, and active recreation opportunities encourages people to be active and fit, helping to prevent obesity and related chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Improving parks, trails, sports fields, and other recreation infrastructure also creates more sustainable, livable, and desirable places to live and work. 

 This webinar will focus on creative ways that cities across the country are creating new opportunities for park and recreation spaces, as well as how communities are encouraging more physical activity in - and improving access to - existing park and recreation facilities. Information about the health, economic, and sustainability benefits of parks and active recreation opportunities will also be presented.

Register here.

March 16, 2012
Walk San Diego Visioning San Diego Lunch Forum
Join WSD for a presentation by renowned transportation engineer (I can vouch for him, he used to be my boss) Rock Miller as he talks about the status of walking and biking in California. The talk will be held at the Downtown Information Center located at 193 Horton Plaza.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
Make a reservation by e-mail here.