From the Department of Show Bike Riders Some Respect: After another grueling day of blogging for the government, I went home to the 91106 last week and decided to go for a bike ride to stretch the legs and enjoy some semi-clean air. I’m pedaling along a bike lane on Cordova Avenue — neither very fast or very slow — when the motorist piloting a car waiting to turn right yells at me to “get on the sidewalk.”
My first reaction was to stop and quickly survey what items I currently had to hurl at the car. I contemplated tossing my phone, but ruled it out because I’m still paying it off. The only other weighty item I had was my bike, but also eliminated that option: I just had it tuned up and it’s riding really nice.
I considered a swift kick to the car. But I deemed that option a poor one, given that I assume much of America is driving around with a small armory stashed in their cars these days. And, thus, I did absolutely nothing but continue on and fume silently. Grrrr. Next time I ride I’m bringing along some of those “the gene pool could use some chlorine” bumper stickers.
Oh, and some very useful safety tips for motorists and cyclists at Yield to Life.
Unveiling our shiny new #Tier4 locomotive at LA Union Station
#CleanPower pic.twitter.com/9ykGGx4LXb
— Metrolink (@Metrolink) July 18, 2016
Metro is one of the five county transportation agencies that funds Metrolink, our region’s commuter rail agency.
Heads up: there are a few upcoming overnight ramp closures on the 60 freeway to accommodate some soil analysis work for the Eastside Gold Line Phase 2’s ongoing environmental studies. More here.
Norwalk to oppose proposed transportation sales tax hike (Wave Newspapers)
The Norwalk City Council voted 4 to 0 to approve a resolution against Metro’s proposed half-cent sales tax increase likely to be considered by L.A. County voters on Nov. 8. As noted in the article, “City Manager Mike Egan said city staff can’t tell people how to vote, but could provide information on the issue. Council members can legally oppose it.”
The reason for the opposition is twofold: a project to widen the the 5 freeway between the 605 and 710 wouldn’t be completed until 2042-44 (the 5 is being widened between the 605 and the Orange County line) and officials are concerned the city would have to contribute three percent of the cost of extending the Green Line to the Norwalk Metrolink station, which could cost $22 million.
Of course, these aren’t the only projects that would serve the southern or southeastern part of the county. For a full list of projects that would be funded by the sales tax measure, click here.
Between now and Election Day, other City Councils may resolve one way or the other on the Metro ballot measure. Such was the case in 2008 with Measure R and 2012 with Measure J. How much does it impact how voters vote? Hard to say.
Too many deer on the road? Let cougars return, study says (NYT)
Source: Federal Highway Administration.
Wildlife researchers estimate that allowing mountain lions to more robustly repopulate former habitat in the eastern U.S. would prevent 155 deaths resulting from motorist collisions with white-tailed deer.
The above data is more than a decade old, but shows the difference between eastern and western states when it comes to totals and rates of wildlife collisions. We certainly have big game and lots of cars on the road out West. But we also have viable mountain lion populations and a lot fewer highly-trafficked roads that run through thick forests and prime wildlife habitat.
TTC to develop new app to allow riders to report harassment (CBC)
Here’s the top of the story — sounds like something similar to the TransitWatch app used by Metro:
The Toronto Transit Commission is working on a new app that would allow riders to discreetly take a photo of a person who is harassing or assaulting someone — and immediately submit a report.
TTC CEO Andy Byford said he hopes the app will be a less obvious alternative to pressing the emergency strip on trains, buses or streetcars. The app should roll out by the end of the year, he said.
The story goes on to note that about half of Toronto’s subway system has wifi and the rest should have it by year’s end.