Happy Halloween!

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We're looking forward to taking our little bee out for her second Halloween tonight (and to stealing--er, sorting--her candy). If you're up to the same this evening, remember that Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for pedestrians--especially little goblins and ladybugs--so be vigilant as you navigate the streets out there.

Wondering where to take your werewolves to howl? Check out Zillow's 2012 list of the best cities (and neighborhoods) for trick-or-treating, which incorporates WalkScore's ranking as part of the criteria its uses in compiling the list.

 

 

This Week on Foot

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This awesome photo courtesy of streetsblog

We're full of questions this week. Are “public” streets actually public? Are Salt Lake pedestrians safe? Can Insurers go After a Pedestrian?

We might not be able to answer all those ones, but we can learn more about Chicago's Strategies in the Pedestrian Plan: Remove all channelized right turns in 3 years, how the Feds consider rule for electric car noises to alert blind pedestrians, or discover the mysteries of Pedestrian enforcement from the inside.

Meanwhile, we're reminded that Walkable neighbourhoods tied to lower diabetes risk--along with a healthy diet of course. And speaking of diets, this week Westside’s Motor Avenue Gets Road Diet and Bike Lanes, and Capital Region cities seek to bridge a pedestrian divide, while on a less-promising note a Long Beach pedestrian killed when struck by jeep near Traffic Circle.

Outside the US Stainless Steel Bridge Arches Support Sölvesborg Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge while Toronto construction projects to try new pedestrian-friendly scaffolding. In India, Pedestrians’ safety on the line in Bangalore, while in China Better traffic lights can prevent jaywalking.

Finally, this week Atlantic Cities' urban walk combines two of my favorite topics-- parking and pedestrians-- and ask Could Parking Lot Walkways Point the Way to Walkable Redevelopment? What do you think?

2012 Great Streets

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photo courtesy of the bailey post

The American Planning Association (APA) has announced its 2012 list of Great Streets across the country. What is a Great Street, you ask? The APA considers three main characteristics in its evaluation of streets:

1. Street Form and Composition - Does the street accommodate multiple users? Does it encourage social interaction?
2. Street Character and Personality - Does the street reflect the local culture? Is it an interesting place to be?
3. Street Environment and Sustainable Practices - Does the street use green infrastructure? Does it promote sustainability?

This year, the streets that demonstrate all those characteristics are (not in California): 

• Duval Street in Key West, Florida
• Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri
• Main Street in Bozeman, Montana
• Wall Street in Kingston, New York
• Fifth Avenue in New York, New York
• Broadway in Saratoga Springs, New York
• Shaker Boulevard in Cleveland, Ohio
• Grant Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia
• Broad Street in Charleston, South Carolina
• Gay Street in Knoxville, Tennessee

You can view pictures and details about the streets on the APA's website here.

And one more

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Engineering for Walking and Bicycling: How Is It Changing? How Is Davis Involved?
Oct. 26, 2012 1:30 - 3:00 Pacific Time

Rock Miller of Stantec Consulting will present an overview of his professional career in transportation with highlights on many of the significant walking and bicycling projects he has worked on. Miller's work has helped Santa Monica to be designated as a Walk Friendly City and for Long Beach to become a Bicycle Friendly Community. He just returned after leading a delegation of ITE leaders on a tour of bicycle facilities in the Netherlands. This delegation will prepare a report on how to adapt promising European design approaches to U.S. cities. This work will be incorporated into his presentation.

Miller will also indicate how a growing number of Davis grads of the 1970's and 1980's are now combining their early bicycle transportation experiences with their current positions to help guide the transformation of the U.S. into a more walk- and bike-friendly country.

Register here.

Upcoming webinars

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Get Inspired: Ideas to Refresh, Re-energize, and Reframe Safe Routes to School
10/23/12, 10:00-11:00 Pacific Time

Join Mark Fenton, a widely recognized and vocal advocate for the importance of walking and bicycling in communities, for a big picture look at the current state of Safe Routes to School. What have we achieved? Where are we headed? How can we get there? And how does SRTS fit into the larger healthy communities movement?

Mark will share his perspective on what he has observed in the world of SRTS, specifically discussing how key partner groups see SRTS and what we should be prioritizing moving forward. This webinar will leave you inspired, energized and ready to take your SRTS work to the next level.

Mark Fenton is a national public health, planning, and transportation consultant, and an adjunct associate professor at Tufts University in Boston.

Register here.

FHWA Webinar on Transportation and Health
10/23/12, 11:00-12:30 Pacific Time

This webinar will discuss planning research initiatives planned or underway that are related to transportation and health. Speakers include representatives from FHWA, the John A. VOLPE National Transportation Systems Center, the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Puget Sound Regional Council, the San Diego Association of Governments, and Sacramento Area Council of Governments. They will address research underway and highlight case studies and best practices for taking a holistic approach to health in the transportation planning process.

Register here.

Walking in San Francisco: How SF Safety and Walkability Compare to Best Practices
11/16/12 12:00-1:00 Pacific Time

San Francisco has received recognition as one of the most walkable cities in the U.S., but also has high levels of pedestrian injuries and fatalities per capita. This talk will cover San Francisco's innovative Pedestrian Strategy and compare it to trend setters such as New York City and London.

Register here.