A pedestrian-friendly community is one that accords the same priority and respect to pedestrians as to other travelers. Walking is transportation, and it is a vital part of our economy and our city. The time of considering pedestrians as second-class citizens on our roads should end now.

Click here to scroll & zoom the map in a new window.

source: Cranked Magazine

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Have you ever wished you knew more about bicycling? Bicycling for Louisville is offering a comprehensive bicycle skills class that will help you:

• Select the right bicycle for your needs.
• Ride safely and legally on any paved surface - from scenic bike trails to high-traffic state highways.
• Learn everything you've always wanted to know about gears (but were afraid to ask).
• Fix flat tires and perform those little adjustments to make an old bike feel brand new.
• Master physical skills - starting, stopping, scanning, signaling, and emergency evasive action. Yehaw!!

This class is perfect for adult cyclists of all levels. It will increase your confidence, comfort, and safety. The next class starts May 20th and classes will be forming all summer. Check bicyclingforlouisville.org/classes or call 582-1814 during business hours for more information.

via The Oil Drum, Falls-Church News Gazette:

In recent weeks, airlines around the world have been reporting substantial losses, declaring bankruptcy or completely shutting down. So far the losses have been mostly of small airlines, but many of the large ones have started to thrash around for merger partners. At $3.71 a gallon, jet fuel is now the single largest expense an airline faces.

In 2000, the airlines fuel bill was $14 billion. It is now pushing $60 billion and climbing. Southwest, the most profitable carrier, recently announced that this year’s fuel bill will be $500 million more than last year and equal to 2007 profits. During the first quarter of 2008 American airlines lost $328 million; Delta lost $274 million; United lost $537 million; Continental $80 million; Northwest $191 million; and US Airways $236 million. Only Southwest Airlines, which did a better job of hedging its fuel than the others, made a profit.

It is clear we are going to see major changes in air travel shortly.

...

Airlines are continuing to raise fares -- the average ticket is up 10 percent over last year -- but at some price point the airlines will drive away discretionary travel and they will be left with only essential business and personal travel that is unlikely to fill many planes. On top of the fuel prices is the current economic downturn which is likely to start impacting discretionary travel before the year is out. In short, airplanes simply can’t make money while charging affordable fares at current, much less prospective, fuel prices. The era of 500 mph travel for most people is nearly over.

Ped summit registration is full. To be placed on the waiting list, call 574-6209.

A bill which passed this legislative session will allow a new, innovative transportation model for seniors to begin providing services in Lexington.

How does it work? Essentially, it's like a private taxi service. Folks pay an annual membership fee of around $50. They then pay a per-ride fee of $4-7 plus $1/mile. Individuals who don't have much money can donate their car to the program's vehicle pool, and then they get ride credits for the value of the car. Afflilate groups in the 8 other cities that have adapted this model have also gotten businesses, such as pharmacies, banks, and doctors' offices, to sponsor the service for low-income folks.

From the Governor's press release:

FRANKFORT, KY – Gov. Steve Beshear today vetoed House Bill 79, the Legislature’s version of a highway construction plan, citing the unprecedented manner in which it would have constrained his administration in the coming biennium.

Marcus Green at the C-J has more. Developing...

Jon V., bike/ped coordinator writes:

TARC [Louisville's public transportation system] is distributing this survey as part of a long-range planning effort.  Please take a minute to fill out this brief online survey and help TARC set a course for the 21st Century!"

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=hhpRdEk_2fpKq0Tr66YW_2bnNw_3d_3d

8664 is a Louisville transportation advocacy organization.

Let us be clear, 8664 enthusiastically supports public transit.

And we support a pedestrian and bike-friendly city with better transportation planning.

But as Jackie Green noted in his April 4 letter to the editor, we do not support KTAP's effort to stop the Ohio River Bridges Project. Unlike River Fields, a founding member of KTAP, we feel the East End Bridge has been delayed for too long.

If we've learned anything from the 40-year debate about building a bridge, it should be that we need to prioritize. The "two bridges, one project" idea is flawed and will only delay the entire project. While the idea of doing nothing is appealing to those that oppose the East End bridge, it will only hurt Louisville in the long run.

It is a fact that the majority of citizens in this region support building a bridge across the Ohio River. Likewise, it is clear that the majority of people prefer an eastern bridge to complete the I-265 beltway. So our current priority is to complete this automotive connection so we can move on to other important community issues.

We want to fix Spaghetti Junction. We want to reconnect with the West End. We want to build the most spectacular waterfront park in the country. We want to unite the region around a vibrant downtown. And again, we want to invest in public transit.

But first, we need to build the East End Bridge.

TYLER ALLEN
J.C. STITES
8664

The fourth forum of the Sustainable City Series, Climate Change: from Bali to Louisville, will be held on Tuesday, May 13th beginning at 6:00 pm at Glassworks; 815 W Market Street. Climate change effects everyone, so if you are living on Earth this topic should be of interest to you. The effects of global warming, such as changes in wind patterns, ocean currents and rainfall are only beginning to be realized. This forum will examine the framework for addressing climate change from the level of the United Nations down to what Louisville is doing as a community to address the issue. Please join us on May 13th for an enlightening and entertaining discussion on an extremely important topic.

Our guest speakers will be Art Williams, Director of the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District and Keith Mountain, Associate Professor of Geography and Geosciences at the University of Louisville.

This event is free to the public, however space is limited, so if you are interested you must register for the May 13th event.