Feet First’s look at pedestrian news for the week of August 12, 2011.
Weekly Walk Around the News
Posted by Derrick Van KirkAugust 12, 2011
Local
Earlier this morning, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced a five-part plan to save Metro bus service in King County which includes eliminating the downtown ride-free zone starting in October of 2012. In addition, the County Council will pass a two-year $20 vehicle licensing fee to help fund Metro service.
The Seattle Times reports that Mayor Mike McGinn is urging the Seattle City Council to place an additional $80 vehicle licensing fee on the November ballot. A hearing held on August 10th by the Seattle Transportation Benefit District about the VLF can be seen here.
Feet First’s Megan Risley points out a needed change in existing legal restrictions concerning awnings that cover the sidewalks in front of Seattle businesses.
The Ferry County Rail Trail in northeastern Washington State a 30 mile non-motorized corridor which will eventually connect as an international trail into Canada raised $17,000 by auctioning off a ukulele signed by Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder.
Did you know that nearly 28 percent of all land in Seattle is dedicated to automobile travel? Feet First is currently organizing groups and individuals for participation in Park(ing) Day on Friday September 16, 2011.
National
A study released last year by a San Francisco General Hospital trauma surgeon sheds light on the economic toll of pedestrian injuries in San Francisco. The study examined 3,619 cases of pedestrians who had been injured by drivers and found that pedestrian injuries resulted in $74 million in medical costs over a five-year period. Interestingly, of that $74 million, $56 million was paid for by public funding through Medicare or MediCal.
This post from the National Geographic Travel and Cultures page gives a glimpse of what it’s like to walk through Brooklyn’s walker’s wonderland.
International
Thefuntheory.com, a website dedicated to the idea that making something fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better, shows one way to entice people to take the stairs instead of the escalator.
In the city of Riosucio in Northwest Colombia, the pedestrian bridge or Metro, as it’s know by local residents, is Columbia’s longest pedestrian bridge.
According to the CityFix.com, an online resource for sustainable transport news, research and best practice solutions from around the world, pedestrian infrastructure is essential to create safer roads worldwide.
If you come across any interesting pedestrian news or stories, please send a link to derrick@feetfirst.org.
Photo of shoes courtesy of Flickr user blond avenger under the Creative Commons license.