active living

The Largest Visioning Process

Matt I. — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:46:19 -0600

John Lewis is the president of Intelligent Futures and communications coordinator of Imagine Calgary. Imagine Calgary asked citizens four key questions to find out what Calgarians sought for the future of their city. The discussion took place in person, online, and more than 18,000 residents contributed their ideas. The result is a 100 year vision for Calgary. Read more >

New bicycle route mapping tool: Cyclowiki

Antonio Rosell — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:27:02 -0600

A new wiki-based online bicycle route mapping tool that promises to make it more convenient to plan your next bike trip in the seven county metro area! Read more >

Livable Copenhagen: the design of a bicycle city

Antonio Rosell — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:10:32 -0600

A thorough and informative overview of the policy and design decisions that allowed Copenhagen to become one of the world's most bicycle friendly cities (with a winter climate that is not too different from the Twin Cities). Includes many excellent photographs and graphics, illustrations of design standards, and guidance for intersection design. A best-practices 'must-read'. Read more >

President-elect Obama proposes office of Urban Policy

Matthew Lang — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:58:26 -0600

President-elect Barack Obama is creating the first Office of Urban Policy in the history of the United States. The public can vote for and suggest the priorities of the office at a new website. Read more >

Community Planning (Block Party Style)

Matt I. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:16:23 -0600

Block parties are one of New York's most cherished institutions—kicking back, getting out the grill, watching the kids play, and hanging out on a safe, quiet street. With thousands happening every year, there's bound to be one near you. Read more >

Streetfilms: Bike-Thru Window Banking - Boulder, Colorado

Matthew Lang — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:51:59 -0600

This brief video from our friends at Streetfilms shows a bicycle-only drive-thru lane at a bank in Boulder, CO.

I often bicycle up to the drive-thru lane at my local credit union, but it is not the funnest experience siting in a queue of idling motor vehicles. The bike-only lane would make the experience much more pleasant.

Moving Me

Matthew Lang — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:44:05 -0600

Riding the bus, the train, a bike, and taking a walk. Song by John Akre and Beth Peloff. Animation by John. sloppyfilms.com

Twin Cities Bike Sharing Program Moves Forward

Lisa Bender — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:10:45 -0600

The City of Minneapolis is on track to launch a new bike-sharing program in the spring of 2009. Extremely popular in Paris, Barcelona and Stockholm, the bike sharing program will allow subscribers to pick up and drop off bicycles at locations throughout a large area of Minneapolis and, in later phases, throughout both St. Paul and Minneapolis. Read more >

Designing the 21st Century Street

Isaac Bros — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:36:34 -0600

Transportation Alternatives announces the winners of their open design competition to revision the public street in New York City for the 21st century. Read more >

Report: Active Transportation for America

Antonio Rosell — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:00:25 -0600

A new report from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Bikes Belong that makes the case for increased Federal investment in bicycling and walking facilities and infrastructure.

By making active transportation a viable option for everyday travel, we will cost-effectively reduce oil dependence, climate pollution and obesity rates while providing more and better choices for getting around town.
Read more >