Posted by Zoe Harris and Drew DeVitis
Local
Roxhill Elementary in West Seattle hosted an all-school walk day, which featured a remote bus drop-off, the Denny International Middle School Marching Band, and visits from Representative Eileen Cody and School Board Member Marty McLaren.
In exchange for free coffee, the Seattle Department of Transportation wants to hear your ideas on walking and biking. SDOT has an online survey and will host four events at coffee shops throughout Seattle.
King County and the City of Renton are partnering to improve walkability on Renton Avenue South. The project will add sidewalks, landscaping, and a bicycle lane to the east side of Renton Avenue South.
“Walking While Fat and Female Or, Why I Don’t Care Not All Men are Like That”
National
A proposal, supported by the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission, aims to add a walkability clause to the School Board’s diversity policy. The clause would guarantee enrollment for any students living within a half-mile of an elementary school, granted they are along a safe route.
Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) introduced legislation they hope will reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries. The bill would require Strategic Highway Safety Plans to include both statistics on pedestrian deaths and injuries and how to address any increases.
The U.S. Census Bureau released its first-ever report exclusively on walking and biking, finding that low-income Americans bike and walk to work the most.
International
New York City Mayor de Blasio looks to Sweden for road safety. Sweden’s roadway deaths are the international low and according to Swedish law, zero are permitted to die in traffic.
São Paulo, Brazil becomes the first city in Latin America to sanction permanent parklets, small outdoor recreational spaces that replace parking spaces and add to street life.
If you come across any interesting pedestrian news or stories, please send a link to zoe@feetfirst.org.
Video courtesy of the West Seattle Blog