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This city bans cars every Sunday—and people love it

Alma Guillermoprieto

March 27, 2019 |

National Geographic |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Bogotá, Capital Region

Ciclovía (Bicycle Way) is a well-known initiative from Bogota, Colombia that allows citizens to take over the public space once a week — roughly 75 miles of public streets. Citizens will bike, run, walk, dance, eat, people watch, and more in a weekly tradition that has turned into an egalitarian celebration imitated all over the world in countries like New Zealand and China. Proponents say that the Ciclovía increases the patience and cooperation of citizens are well as enhancing the feeling of community.

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What Happened When This Spanish City Went Car-Free

Jaime Velazquez

November 26, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Pontevedra

Nearly two decades ago, Pontevedra, Spain, made a radical shift away from cars and focused on redesigning the center from the sight line of a child walking on the street. Combined with affordable residences in the urban area, the strategy has revitalized the center, luring young families and creating an atmosphere where parents feel supported and children flourish. CO2 emissions have also dropped as fewer people drive cars and the town has experienced more growth than others in the region.

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Cities are Making Left Turns Safer with ‘Wedges'

Angie Schmitt

November 09, 2018 |

Streetsblog USA |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In 2016 and 2017, New York City installed infrastructure designed to slow down drivers making left-hand turns in more than 200 locations and banned left turns at high-risk spots as a way to curb pedestrian crashes. Since then, median left-turn speeds have dropped 19 percent at those intersections and the number of vehicles cutting turns so closely they cross the double yellow lines declined by 79 percent. Now cities like San Jose and Los Angeles are looking to follow New York’s lead.

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Walking School Bus program at Lincoln to expand route, improve attendance

Grace Connatser

October 30, 2018 |

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Since the Lincoln Avenue School Walking Bus program started, the school has seen marked improvements in attendance rates. The volunteer-run transit alternative promotes neighborhood safety and offers another chance for disconnected students to socialize.

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As Milwaukee embraces bikes and pedestrians with 'Complete Streets,' commercial development gets boost

Tom Daykin

October 12, 2018 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee is poised to pass a complete streets policy that would advance current efforts to make the city more bike- and pedestrian-friendly. But even without this policy in place, projects to widen sidewalk and improve bike infrastructure are paying off with more business openings and plans by developers who chose the city because of those efforts. The city council is supporting complete streets but it will need cooperation from state highway officials for some of those thoroughfares.

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'For me, this is paradise': life in the Spanish city that banned cars

Stephen Burgen

September 18, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Pontevedra

Rather than attempt to change traffic flow, the city of Pontevedra cut straight to the source of their congestion frustrations; they eliminated cars from their streets entirely. The city center, which now fills to the brim with walkers and bicyclists each day, has seen a massive reduction in traffic accidents and carbon emissions since closing the streets to cars.

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Once Polluted and Reviled, the Chicago River Bounces Back

Julie Bosman

August 02, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Photojournalism |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago River, once a place that tourists and locals alike would avoid, is now thriving after over 15 years of redevelopment efforts. Richard M. Daley, mayor at the time, enlisted the help of a Chicago architect to make the riverfront a more inviting place to spend time. That work has paid off. Now, in addition to being a location for boat commerce, the riverfront provides an inviting space for anyone who wants to meet for walks, drinks, food, or outdoor activities.

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Bellevue builds its first downtown bike lane. But there's a catch

Michelle Baruchman

August 01, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Bellevue, Washington

Bellevue’s pilot bike lane project is starting slow and ready for feedback. By beginning the project with less than a mile of bike lanes downtown, the city made sure to brand it as a pilot, hoping to measure results and adapt accordingly. Also, the Bellevue Downtown Association had a clear voice in expectations for any bike lane project, all of which were met in the initial pilot. The city hopes that bringing on board urban planners, city council, and the downtown association will increase chances of long-term success.

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Why millions listen to this girl's advice

Dougal Shaw

July 20, 2018 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, London

Is no one listening to your public service announcement? Try having a child read it. At the Victoria metro station in London, escalator injuries have fallen by nearly two-thirds since the station began running announcements by nine-year-old Megan.

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How two Belgian cities turned their pavements into playgrounds

Anoush Darabi

June 22, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Belgium, Antwerp

Urban planners in Belgium are creating play spaces, known as the “speelweefselplan,” to give children more room to be outside. The design process includes asking schoolchildren about their routes to and from school, and then planners map out ways to make those routes more interactive. As cities grow and traditional parks are limited, this model shows a way that cities can continue to be welcoming for children.

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