Welcome back to TheCityFix Picks, our series highlighting the newsy and noteworthy of the past week. Each Friday, we’ll run down the headlines falling under TheCityFix’s five themes: mobility, quality of life, environment, public space, and technology and innovation.

Mobility

Planetizen launched a new website, HSR News, dedicated to covering high-speed rail in the United States. Recent headline: “49% of Americans In Favor of High-Speed Rail.”

More than 7,000 women responded to an online survey about women and their attitudes and concerns about bicycling, conducted by the Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals. The results so far? Nearly 60% of respondents use their bikes for some of their daily trips.

New Rankings: Minneapolis, Minn. is the most bike-friendly city in the United States, according to Bicycling.com. Bristol is the most bike-friendly city in the United Kingdom, according to Cycling Plus magazine.

Quality of Life

Cities around the world celebrated World Health Day on April 7, organizing events like “health walks” and car-free days.

Next American City is blogging about Cities and Women’s Health: Global Perspectives from the 18th Congress of the International Council on Women’s Health Issues at the University of Pennsylvania, which ends April 10.

A study released by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) says that road and public transit projects could generate up to $68.8 billion in economic output in Southern California, while creating more than 500,000 jobs over 30 years

Environment

City dwellers in Indonesia are more prone to health problems than those living in rural areas despite having more access to health facilities and information, according to the country’s Health Ministry. Urban pollution is partly to blame.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UN-HABITAT, and the World Bank jointly launched an International Standard for Determining Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Cities at the 5th World Urban Forum in Rio de Janeiro last week.

Public Space

New York’s Department of Transportation announced plans to expand the city’s pedestrian plazas, such as Times Square and Herald Square. City officials are asking nonprofits and community groups to submit proposals for small-scale projects by June 30.

CNN profiles Manit Rastogi, an architect who wants to transform Delhi’s sewage drains into bike and pedestrian paths.

Technology and Innovation

The iPad has great potential for greener fleet management and car-sharing.

The Californian company Better Place will begin the first public trial of its automated battery-swap and electric car “refilling” stations in Tokyo.