Roundabout in Drachten, Netherlands. Photo from Streetsblog.

Reengineer the city around cars, or…

A Dr. Gridlock reader proposes “solutions” to traffic that would actually make things worse. But Dr. Gridlock replies with some better, non-auto-centric ideas, including congestion pricing and bike lanes. (Post, Joshua D)  (Tip: Joshua D)  

Rounder, safer, better

Modern roundabouts (which don’t use traffic lights) are one of the most efficient and safe traffic devices. Nevertheless, Tom Vanderbilt explains, drivers and neighbors don’t expect them to be, and often fight new ones vociferously. Cars may move through the area slowly, but slow speed doesn’t equal congestion; at most intersections, congestion comes from all the time nobody (pedestrians, bikes, or cars) is allowed to traverse a given area. (Slate)  

Cheap gas = obesity

Some clever economists used data on various gas taxes between states to demonstrate the effect of gas prices on public health. Each $1 of cost for a gallon of gas reduces the obesity rate by a whopping 10%. One of the best things we could do to save American households money would be to charge more for gas. (Matthew Yglesias)  

Blumenauer pushing green commuting incentives

Rep. Earl Blumenauer has nintroduced the Green Routes to Work Act, which would work all kinds of wonders for commuter tax policy. Cyclists could get the $230 pretax payment per month, like drivers and transit riders can; self-employed people could get the benefit too; and it would require employers that provide a parking benefit to also offer a cash-out option. (TheWashCycle)  

Too expensive to serve the poor

Many farmers’ markets are beginning to accept food stamps, allowing lower-income people to mix healthy, fresh produce into their diet. The biggest obstacle, however, is that food stamp machines cost $1,000, plus monthly fees. (NY Times via Gastronomalies)  

Co-op living, corporation tax structure

Housing Complex profiles a successful co-op, Maitri House, in Takoma Park. Residents cook meals for the entier group, share bikes and cars, split up housework, and pay rent to an LLC to balance the financial responsibilities fairly. (City Paper)  

Stop giving money to gas guzzling states

Congress may bail out the transportation trust fund with $28 billion of general tax revenue. But if they do, most of the money will go to states that bring in a lot in gas taxes (because they’ve covered themselves in asphalt) but not to states that bring in a lot in other tax revenue (because they’ve created successful, high-functioning cities). (TNR via Streetsblog)