Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.
Recent Posts
Data-Driven Parking Policy Pays Off in Seattle
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Seattle is set to improve upon its successful street parking program by setting meter rates based on demand. The Seattle Department of Transportation keeps a close watch on curbside parking, reports Stephen Fesler at The Urbanist, with regular audits and adjustments to rates and hours for close to 12,000 spaces. SDOT’s goal is to reduce congestion, noise, […]
If Walmart Urbanizes Its Headquarters, What’s Next for Its Stores?
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The Washington Post reports that Walmart, the retail behemoth whose name is synonymous with big-box sprawl, is looking to attract young people to work at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. To make that happen, the company is investing in amenities to make its hometown — population 40,000 — more urban. To remain competitive, the Post says, Walmart must draw professionals “who might […]
Take a Ride on St. Louis’s First Protected Bike Lane
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Here’s a nice milestone: Downtown St. Louis has its first protected bike lane. Alex Ihnen at nextSTL posted video of a ride along the one-way lane from end to end, along Chestnut Street. The protected segment is separated from motor vehicle traffic by a parking lane, painted buffer, and flex posts. The remainder is a painted […]
This Weekend: Kidical Mass Takes Upper Manhattan — and Staten Island
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It’s Kidical Mass season, and there are two opportunities this weekend for children and adults to participate in group rides. On Saturday, it’s Kidical Mass Uptown. The ride starts at 10 a.m. at Dorrance Brooks Square — 137th Street between St. Nicholas and Edgecombe Avenues — and will head to High Bridge Park for the opening festival of the car-free […]
Hey Brian Lehrer — Traffic Congestion Is Not a Vision Zero Tactic
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This morning on WNYC Brian Lehrer said he didn’t understand why Mayor de Blasio would want to penalize Uber for making traffic congestion worse, since the mayor is “causing congestion purposely” to make streets safer for walking and biking. Here’s an excerpt: They want to make driving in the city as unpalatable as possible so people […]
Expanding Toronto Bike Share Aims to Bridge the Last Kilometre
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Promising news today from Toronto. Todd Harrison at Spacing Toronto says the city’s bike-share system is expanding thanks to an infusion of funds from Ontario. The best part: Docking stations will be sited near transit stops to bridge “the first and last kilometres.” Harrison sees the move as an indication that Bike Share Toronto will, for the […]
Cuomo to NYC: Eat My Dust, Plebes
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.@NYGovCuomo also basically said the MTA budget gap is the city’s problem. “NYC does have a surplus…I hope the city does provide help.” — Erin Durkin (@erinmdurkin) July 22, 2015 Governor Andrew Cuomo says it’s up to New York City to fund his MTA — and indicated the city will have to do it without the funding mechanism […]
Is “Sprawl Repair” Worth It?
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Transforming the territory of strip malls and big boxes into walkable places is a hot topic, exemplified by the popular book “Retrofitting Suburbia.” But is it worth the time, money, and effort? Robert Steuteville of Better! Cities & Towns writes that architect Kevin Klinkenberg and development expert Lee Sobel raised the question at this year’s Congress for the […]
Eyes on the Street: More Room to Walk Near Penn Station
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Colorful new sidewalk extension along 32nd Street near Penn Station. pic.twitter.com/PLxiiMa0L8 — Tri-State (@Tri_State) July 21, 2015 Temporary sidewalk extensions are in on 32nd Street near Penn Station. As Streetsblog reported in June, this is one element of a larger effort, spearheaded by Vornado Realty Trust in partnership with the city, to make more room […]
Vance Nets Felony Indictment for Driver in Beekman Sidewalk Hit-and-Run
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A woman accused of deliberately driving onto a sidewalk in the Financial District, injuring a pedestrian, and leaving the scene was indicted on felony charges today, according to the office of Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance. Vance says Tiffany Murdaugh was behind the wheel of her Dodge Challenger on the morning of April 13, 2015, when she drove […]
What Happened When Istanbul Opened Streets to People
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By the end of the 20th century, the Historic Peninsula of Istanbul had a serious pollution problem. Writing for TheCityFix, Tu?çe Üzümo?lu says air quality was so bad that historic sites and monuments were degrading. When a UNESCO study identified poor transportation infrastructure as a factor, the local government pedestrianized streets throughout the district. Ten […]
Will Ken Thompson Charge Driver Who Killed Alejandro Moran-Marin?
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Bike dragged by Honda SUV going wrong way down 4th age towards Flatbush @CBSNewYork @MattKozarTV pic.twitter.com/MNGXbYMceP — Meg Baker (@megbakertv) July 13, 2015 No charges have been filed against the driver who killed a cyclist and injured several other people in a multi-vehicle crash in Brooklyn last week, according to the office of District Attorney Ken Thompson. […]