Photo by Rik_C.

Head under la hood

US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood says that new freeway lanes in Phoenix will “help to reduce greenhouse gases in the area.” Um, no. (Fast Lane)  

A fancy bridge doesn’t make it green

A letter writer chastizes the Baltimore Sun for talking about how “green” the Intercounty Connectory is. It’ll generate huge new VMT and sprawl (and officials cut the bike trail), but it has fancy bridges over wetlands, so it’s an environmental wonder.  

Breaking out of “two leg perspective”

CommuterPageBlog writer Steve Eldridge lost a leg below the knee. He has to use a walker or wheelchair for about six months. That’s given him a huge appreciation for the little issues of design, like sloped sidewalks, that severely affect accessibility to those with physical disabilities. (CommuterPageBlog, Michael P)  (Tip: Michael P)  

Speed cameras working

New speed cameras in Rockville have reduced speed 12 percent and crashes 35 percent. Rockville’s police chief said the cameras have “created safe zones.” The number of citations is down 86 percent, meaning the city is collecting less money but roads are safer. (Gazette)  

How about in Southeast?

Yvette Alexander says we “desperately need” traffic calming or red light cameras after a nasty crash on Pennsylvania Avenue in Southeast DC trapped five people inside burning vehicles. (Fox 5, JTS)  (Tip: JTS)  

Not a ham sandwich

An Asheville grand jury turned down an attempted murder indictment for the Asheville man who shot a cyclist in the head. They did give him a felony assault indictment, which only carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. Grand juries usually indict people for anything prosecutors ask. (Streetsblog)  

Our streets belong to drivers

Vienna is proposing new regulations for bicyclists, including requiring cyclists to yield to motorists if they’re using the sidewalk. Some of them don’t sound so bad, but some do, like requiring cyclists to give an “audible signal” when coming near any pedestrian. FABB suggests the Vienna PD and city leaders pay a little more attention to making biking safer and more comfortable as well.