Over the past century, the interests of the auto industry have usually won out over the interests and safety of pedestrians. Because the latter do not typically have the same kind of lobbying power to influence lawmakers, vehicle-pedestrian crashes are all too often seen as unfortunate accidents. A five-year study of fatal pedestrian crashes found that … Continue reading Article: Drivers at fault in ped crashes do not face charges
Event: Spring Garden Connector St. Meeting
Interested in improving access to the Delaware River waterfront? The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is holding a public meeting tomorrow at 6:30 pm regarding their next project, the Spring Garden Connector Street. According to DRWC's Master Plan for the Central Delaware, "streets that connect the city and waterfront will be green and pedestrian-friendly."
Free guided tours during “What’s Out There Weekend” event, May 18-19
The Cultural Landscape Foundation is offering a series of free guided tours (pdf) throughout the day on May 18th and 19th that highlight history, horticulture, nature, and design. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to explore what Philadelphia's publicly-accessible parks, neighborhoods, and other public spaces have to offer! More information: What's Out There Weekend Philadelphia
Article: Young Americans leading the trend toward less driving
Studies show that the current overall trend toward driving less that is occurring in the United States is being led by the millennial generation. According to the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute, "young people are getting driver's licenses in smaller numbers than previous generations." Other age groups are contributing to the drop-off in driving … Continue reading Article: Young Americans leading the trend toward less driving
Cities use policy to fix the parking plight
Excessive surface parking creates virtual deserts of wasted space in cities because parking lots take up a disproportionate amount of room compared to the value they contributes to a city's economy. Some places have taken action to limit or reduce the amount of surface parking in their downtowns to create more walkable and people-friendly communities, … Continue reading Cities use policy to fix the parking plight
Friday Links for May 10, 2013
Pedestrian fatality rates vary by demographic: The chilling facts about pedestrian fatalities reveal that certain groups are much more likely than others to be injured or killed while walking. As reported on Streetsblog.com, a report by the Centers for Disease Control found that members of certain groups, including the elderly, minorities, and males in general, are killed by vehicles in disproportionate … Continue reading Friday Links for May 10, 2013
Notes from the Greater Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Summit
On Tuesday, April 30, the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities and DVRPC held a summit on the state of walking and biking in our fair city. Here are some takeaways from Tuesday's summit that may be of interest to pedestrians. Ongoing trail network expansion Jeannette Brugger of the Planning Commission and Chris Linn of … Continue reading Notes from the Greater Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Summit
Science shows urban density promotes social interaction
It's no secret that dense, urban neighborhoods promote walkability, but now a scientific study shows even more benefits of density. Researchers at the University of Utah created a model to simulate social interaction based on possible live and work locations. What they found should come as no surprise: characteristics of urban sprawl, especially decentralization, significantly … Continue reading Science shows urban density promotes social interaction
Support the Call to Action on Walking!
Throughout this month, support the Surgeon General's Call to Action on Walking! Watch the video to learn about the benefits of walking, including why doctors call it "the best medicine we know." Then, pledge to be a part of the movement to make Americans more active by incorporating walking into your daily routine and sharing … Continue reading Support the Call to Action on Walking!
Article: Even in car-oriented LA, discovering the benefits of walking
One writer from Los Angeles gave up her car and discovered how much money she could save and how much healthier she could be. Read all about how she is "better off ped" at Los Angeles Magazine.
Feet First Philly 