A pedestrian button was still broken days after a fatal crash on University Drive that killed James Carter and his service dog, Austin, on Christmas Day. www.bikedenton.org/news/broken-... #VisionZero #SafeSystemsApproach #TxDOT #SafetyOverSpeed #DangerousByDesign

US failures around road safety should be a national embarrassment. This deep dive is a couple years old, but its main thesis remains true: America’s sky-high death toll is due to policy choices – not “national character.” www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

A root problem is the American tendency to pin the responsibility for safety on road users themselves, ignoring the influential roles of road designers, auto co’s, and policymakers. Such groups can duck responsibility by blaming individuals instead. www.fastcompany.com/91233037/who...

Americans are ~2.5x more likely to die in a crash than a Canadian, ~3.5x more likely than a Spaniard, and ~5x more likely than a Japanese person. Here are a few of the articles I wrote in 2024 trying to understand why the US is uniquely terrible at road safety. 🧵

I have a 30 minute walking commute each way (so an hour of walking each work day) and my doctor tells me every year that I just don't need to worry about exercise for health as long as I keep that up.

Can confirm. When I lived in an urban environment, I could walk/cycle/transit anywhere. Now that I'm out in Bumbleweed, it's impossible to get anywhere without a vehicle.

Car dependency and suburban sprawl is such an underrated public health issue

This happened to me when I went in for a routine checkup in Vegas. I told them I didn’t have a car and I just walk and bike everywhere, and they (1) looked at me like I was crazy and (2) told me I’m in the 99th percentile of non-sedentary behavior

At a routine medical appt, staff asked what I do for exercise. Me: “Mostly I bike or walk for transportation when possible.” Them: “Most people laugh when I ask that question. You’re doing good.” Bike/ped infrastructure is #HealthyInfrastructure. www.transportation.gov/mission/heal...

I am so impressed by the reporting of @nbcdfw.bsky.social on systemic safety issues on Dallas roads. They took the time to talk to experts about proven ways to make roads safer, including how roads are designed. This persistent, detailed reporting will save lives. www.nbcdfw.com/investigatio...

We need your help to raise $12,000 more to ensure Farm&City enters the 2025 legislative session with the strength to drive change. Your donation fuels professional nonprofit Texas advocacy and lobbying efforts for crucial safe streets and housing abundance bills. mailchi.mp/ce979cd2aaa2...

Where bike-friendly infrastructure is the norm, kids gain freedom. No car keys, no backseat waiting. They learn independence, time management, and how to get around on their own. A small shift in how we design cities helps them grow into confident, capable adults.

Low-cost approach to quickly improve intersection safety. Encourages slower, more controlled turns, which is safer for all road users.

And I started commuting by bicycle because I didn’t want to pay for a university parking permit and then waste time hunting for a spot. Biking saved time and money.

Why widening roads and highways to try to reduce traffic congestion is always futile, and traffic never gets better for very long (it commonly ends up worse). And yet it’s always the official stated reason for spending all that public money on the widening. #InducedDemand ggwash.org/view/97803/w...

The average City of Denton resident spends 44% of income on housing+transportation according to the H+T Index: htaindex.cnt.org/map/ About 15% of Denton households spend 54% or more of income on housing+transportation.

How the #Dutch found that the only thing that really encourages biking for transportation is a dense network of high quality bike-infrastructure. Good quality routes attract bike-riders, but they have to be close together. Via @dutchcycling.nl #Delft www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2008/09/grid...

Smart/better cities know walkability is climate action. Check out this great starter pack

#KCMO recently installed protected bike lanes and improved crosswalks on Cleaver Boulevard. The results? - 🚶🏾‍♂️/🚴🏾‍♂️ counts more than *doubled* - 81% of users feel safer - 60% of cyclists say without the facilities, they would be driving Learn more: bikewalkkc.org/blog/2024/11...

This is how to show you actually care about the lives and safety of people who are traveling without an automobile.

Since 2023, a small group of volunteers has inched forward in constructing a new mountain bike trail in South Lakes Park. They need your help! www.bikedenton.org/news/join-th...

Thank you to Denton City Councilmember, Brian Beck (District 2), for requesting staff look into this issue during yesterday's Mobility Committee meeting.

Excellent selection of books to learn about transportation, land use, housing, etc. I just bought three more for my collection! 50% right now!

Me when I hear a traffic engineer say they’re going to use #EngineeringJudgement instead of blindly following the warrants of the #MUTCD. #SafetyOverSpeed

A new pedestrian crossing lacks basic infrastructure for safe crossing. City staff have not shared any plans or commitment to address the safety concerns despite multiple requests by Bike Denton since September 8. #DangerousByDesign #VisionZero www.bikedenton.org/news/new-ped...

In memory of the 4,167 lives lost in traffic crashes on Texas roads in the past 12 months, I'm following the lead of @farmandcity.bsky.social and walking 4,167 steps as I reflect and strengthen my resolve to demand policies PROVEN to save lives. #WDoR2024 #VisionZero #EndTheStreakTX

Tomorrow (11/17) I will walk 4,167 steps in Denton to remember the 4,167 lives lost in traffic crashes in Texas over the past 12 months. No one should feel the pain of losing a loved one in a sudden violent event. I hope you'll join me in demanding change. #WDoR2024 #VisionZero #EndTheStreakTX

“The new sidewalk is a welcome improvement, providing a safer, more reliable route for our guests,” Edwards said. “It underscores the importance of creating a walkable city where all individuals can move about safely and with dignity.” dentonrc.com/news/loop-28...

Spooky bike ride. Have I mentioned that Denton is the best? #DentonHalloween

Thanks to volunteers who helped clean 11 bags of litter from the DCTA Rail Trail this morning! You #KeepDentonBeautiful! #weKDB

If you don’t frequently see families with young children riding in your city (on their own bikes, in cargo bikes/trailers, etc.), your bike infrastructure isn’t safe enough. I’m so lucky to live somewhere where scenes like this are commonplace. 🚲 ❤️

There’s a lot we need to improve with traffic engineering…like not giving drivers a solid green arrow when non-motorized traffic has a Walk signal. #DangerousByDesign

#WeekWithoutDriving might be over, but the work continues to highlight safety and accessibility challenges for people who cannot drive. Placing this sign a little earlier than the standards would have provided yard space for this sign rather than blocking pedestrian traffic.

#WeekWithoutDriving might be over, but the work continues to highlight safety and accessibility challenges for people who cannot drive. Placing this sign a little earlier than the standards would have provided yard space for this sign rather than blocking pedestrian traffic.

Day 6 of #WeekWithoutDriving to highlight what it’s like for 30% of Americans who can’t drive due to disability, age or income. Biked to pick up coffee at a store that requires crossing a wide, high-speed road. Always nerve wracking. Good bike parking, though.

Day 5 of #WeekWithoutDriving to highlight what it’s like for 30% of Americans who can’t drive due to disability, age or income. Taking on-demand GoZone again. The app indicates it will route my driver through the parking lot…

Can’t have people getting flat tires during #WeekWithoutDriving! Someone threw a glass soda bottle into the bike lane. Since I live nearby, easy little community service project!!

Day 4 of #WeekWithoutDriving to highlight what it’s like for 30% of Americans who can’t drive due to disability, age or income. Today I commuted by bike again.

#WeekWithoutDriving Day 3! Using public transportation (on-demand) to commute to work! Lucky me, there’s a bench near my pickup point!

Day 2 of #WeekWithoutDriving to highlight what it’s like for 30% of Americans who can’t drive due to disability, age or income. Day 1: I walked to work. Day 2: Biked to work! Biking is my normal commute choice, so few surprises today…except some leaf blowers…

Did you know about 30% of people can’t drive due to disability, age or income? I’m participating in the #WeekWithoutDriving to get a better feel of what it’s like to not have driving as an option in Denton. weekwithoutdriving.org Day 1: I walked to work!

Denton scored a 20 out of 100 in its second appearance in the City Ratings from PeopleForBikes, a slight improvement over its 2023 score of 18. www.bikedenton.org/news/denton-...

Denton has hired a new Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator! Residents gathered on Saturday morning for a welcome ride and meet-and-greet. www.bikedenton.org/news/residen...

Denton’s new e-bike rebate program ran out of its first round of funding within three months. Rebate applications for e-bikes are now on a waitlist pending more funding. www.bikedenton.org/news/x3gktok...

The Bus.

Some of the most deadly roads in Denton are owned by TxDOT. Register to attend a virtual input meeting on Wednesday, January 31 to give your input on Texas' first Statewide Active Transportation Plan. bit.ly/3SdJP2h

I dove through library archives and census data to show the link between 1960s era code that's still on our books, housing segregation, and our housing affordability crisis. medium.com/@dtxtransitp...

UNT researchers doing important work on how zoning and other land-use policies have impacted housing costs and exclusion of certain populations over the past 100 years. Many of these policies continue to be used today to block certain people from certain places.

“It’s often a person or a group of people who are just relentless,” said Osborne. “They refuse to think their community can’t have what they think their community can have.” www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...

Fantastic time yesterday at @strongerdenton.bsky.social affordable housing event, featuring the world premier of my game: D&D: Affordable Housing edition. Shout out to @bashfulbits.bsky.social for the fancy 3D home models idea! Though there are challenges, we CAN make housing less expensive!