A woman pedals a bike ahead of a bus in Sweden, where 62 percent of people use active transportation. Photo by freeariello.

A recent issue of the Journal of Physical Activity & Health features a study that reveals the link between obesity rates and “active transportation” (trips taken by walking, bicycling and public transit.)

Turns out, countries with the highest levels of active transportation generally had the lowest obesity rates. It’s important to note that the study doesn’t prove that riding the bus will make you slim, but it does identify a possible factor that accounts for international differences in obesity rates.
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Washington prepares for Obama’s inauguration. Photo by martinstelbrink of Flickr.

Plans for President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration, scheduled for Jan. 20, have caused local transport groups in the Washington, D.C. area to consider new and flexible options to help travelers commute downtown for the historic swearing-in ceremony, which is expected to draw at least 2 million people to the nation’s capital.

Obama himself will be taking the train, following in President Abraham Lincoln’s footsteps, from Philadelphia. [USAToday.com]

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association proposes setting up two valet stations (locations to be announced) where cyclists can park their bikes. The group gained financial support from America Bikes, a national cycling advocacy group in Washington. And Minneapolis company Dero Bike Rack Co. plans to lend its bike racks. The District Department of Transportation has expressed support for the bike valet proposal, but has not yet granted final approval for the sites. [DCExaminer.com]

But it’s not just D.C. folks that are getting in on the transportation action.
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Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, in Mumbai. Photo by thebigdurian on Flickr.

(Thanks to transport planner Madhav Pai for contributing to this post.)

Money spent on different types of transportation has little or no relationship with the way people actually move.

Consider the case of Mumbai, India by comparing transportation expenditures and modal shares (or, the percentage of travelers using a particular type of transportation):

The government proposes to make the biggest investment - close to Rs 139,000 crore - on Metro and suburban rail, but only about 22% of people ride the train. Instead, most people (56%) walk or bike.

Authorities would also like to spend a hefty amount - more than Rs 55,042 crore - on the highway system, but less than 2% of people travel by private car. Other than walking and taking the train, most people (14%) travel by public bus, a system that is receiving a proposed investment of only Rs 4,280 crore.

Given the current mode shares of transport in Mumbai, the financial allocation appears highly inequitable. The plan caters to the upper middle class by being metro rail- and car-centric. The largest constituency of travelers - pedestrians and bicyclists - who make up 56% of the travel demand aren’t represented. It would have been nice to see resources allocated to providing infrastructure for them.
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David Byrne of the Talking Heads (a well-known band from the 1980’s) and the Department of Transportation are promoting awareness for biking in the Big Apple through bike racks inspired by the various neighborhoods of New York City. Through July of 2009, 9 districts feature eye-catching, designer bike racks suited to their temporary homes:

Byrne, a long time bicycle enthusiast, was originally selected a juror for a design competition to modernize city bike racks with the DOT. He was so inspired by the city’s efforts to promote bicycling that he offered 9 of his own original designs.

While designer bike parking hardly seems like a necessity in urban transportation issues, a giant guitar or designer shoe bolted to New York’s busy sidewalks will certainly bring more attention and awareness to biking in the Big Apple, proving in the true New York fashion that even sustainable transport can be stylish.

From more information, the original article from the New York Times.

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Chirag Delhi bus station. Photo by Madhav Pai.

The bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor in Delhi is one of the most controversial projects in Indian urban transport. It encountered several problems during the first week of its implementation, stirring up a great media outcry. But the Delhi Government was able to recognize the positive impact of the project for pedestrians, bikers and bus commuters, and it decided not to scrap the pilot corridor.

The Delhi government elections in November largely ran on a platform that included going ahead with the busway expansions, but some media outlets and transport experts urged the city to ditch the project altogether. The Times of India, for example, reported that the Standing Committee in Parliament recently said plans for BRT system would be a “nightmare” for Delhi residents and should be abandoned.

But it looks like the media reports may not have been telling the whole story, says Sanjeev Lohia, director of the urban transport division for the Ministry of Urban Development.

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Photo by Ben McLeod

Could this be the end of America’s love affair with cars?

Over the years, driving has slowed down, leveled out, and then finally, with the dramatic increase in gas prices, declined. Now, we are “witnessing the largest sustained drops in driving that this nation has ever seen,” says Robert Puentes, a fellow in the metropolitan policy program of The Brookings Institution, which released a report last week that reveals startling facts about the decline of driving in America:

• The number of miles that Americans have traveled in their cars - a measurement known as “vehicle miles traveled” or VMT - has been falling since 2007.
• From October 2007 to September 2008, Americans drove 90 billion fewer miles than the same time period the year before.
• For the first time ever, Americans are driving fewer miles than the total amount of roads available.
• At the same time, transit use is at its highest level since the 1950s.

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Photo by Sveden.

Here at EMBARQ headquarters in Washington, D.C. it’s been unseasonably warm. But that still doesn’t mean we can’t all prepare for winterizing our snow mobiles — our bicycles, that is — for when the snow and slush hit the streets.

Here are four common tips from across the blogosphere this month:

1. Keep your hands warm in bike pogies.

Sometimes, even the thickest gloves fail to keep your grip firm-and-cozy. Try a pair of oversized mittens - called bike pogies - that fit over your handlebars, as well as your shifters and brakes, so you can maintain dexterity and control without losing precious heat. If you have more than one bike, you can always remove and re-attach them as you switch vehicles.

2. Get hardcore with some studded tires and chains.

To avoid the hazards of snow and ice, try a new set of wheels on your mountain bike. Icebike.org recommends studded tires from Nokian, a Finnish brand that offers products made from environmentally friendly “non-toxic” rubber compounds. Though on the pricey side at $50-$100 USD per tire, Nokian studs are made from highly durable tungsten carbide that “last for years,” according to AllWeatherSports.

Putting chains on your wheels can also help improve traction in snow or mud, but beware, because they “give a rough, slow ride on pavement,”AllWeatherSports adds. If you don’t feel like splurging on new equipment, BikePortland.org suggests this do-it-yourself solution: zipties .

3. Cleanse: De-grease, scrub and re-grease your chain.

In the winter months, it’s not just snow, ice and mud that can dirty up your bike. “Actually, the culprit that can cause the most serious problems is: salt!” according to Sustainablog, which recommendsSimple Green as a heavy-duty, non-toxic and biodegradable all-purpose cleaner.

Also, use high-viscosity lubricant on any exposed parts, like the drivetrain, cables and ball bearings. Here are some reviews of “green” oils, cleaners and grease.

4. Keep the rust away.

Riding or storing your bike in the damp cold can lead to extra damage. Paints like Rustoleum™ combat rust on your bike from scratches or dents, says Suite101. Keeping your bike clean will also help guard against corrosion.

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HAPPY FRIDAY! ENJOY THE COMMUTE HOME!

(Thanks to Rich Kassel from NRDC’s Switchboard for sharing this video. It originally came from USPIRG’s 21st century transportation video contest.)

Love,

TheCityFix.com

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Los Angeles smog. Photo by Infinite Wilderness.

The California Air Resources Board voted unanimously yesterday to adopt “the most comprehensive roadmap to date to cut the amount of heat-trapping emissions in the United States.” (via Associated Press.)

From an ARB press release:

The Air Resources Board today approved California’s plan to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

An important component of the plan is a cap-and-trade program covering 85 percent of the state’s emissions. This program will be developed in conjunction with the Western Climate Initiative, comprised of seven states and four Canadian provinces that have committed to cap their emissions and create a regional carbon market.

Additional key recommendations of the plan include strategies to enhance and expand proven cost-saving energy efficiency programs; implementation of California’s clean cars standards; increases in the amount of clean and renewable energy used to power the state; and, implementation of a low-carbon fuel standard that will make the fuels used in the state cleaner.

The ARB will begin developing detailed strategies to implement all of the recommended measures that must be in place by 2012.

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