Photo by BeyondDC.

Capital Bikeshare to start September 20th

Capital Bikeshare has announced that it will officially launch for use by the public on September 20. (BeyondDC)  (Tip: BeyondDC)  

Is DC pedestrian unfriendly?

TBD takes issue with DC’s placement on the pedestrian friendliness infographic we posted last week and TIME linked yesterday.  Meanwhile, as of last night’s accident crash at 18th and U where two pedestrians were hit by a stray car, Struck DC has tallied 165 bikes and peds hit since June.  (Tip: Erik W)  

DC’s neglected Civil War history

DC’s only Civil War skirmish occurred at Fort Stevens, which sits largely neglected in Brightwood.  Elsewhere in the region, a battlefield outside of Fredericksburg might get a Wal-Mart at its gateway. (NY Times, Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)  

Free WiFi on the Mall

In the latest expansion of DC’s free internet initiative, officials announced yesterday that areas of the National Mall are now covered by free wireless hotspots. (WUSA9)  (Tip: Erik W)  

Stadiums die, debt lives on

In the ultimate illustration of the follies of publicly funded sports stadiums, the old Giants Stadium, now a parking lot, still carries $110 million in debt. New Jersey isn’t the only place still paying off abandoned venues. (NY Times)  

Linking cabs and passengers

In San Francisco, Cabulous gives both passengers and cab drivers an easy way to find each other, potentially increasing passenger safety, enabling cabs more efficient use of their fuel and our roads, and better linking public transit to “last-mile” options. (Alex)  (Tip: Alex)  

Obama infrastructure proposal, political reality at odds

Over the weekend, the president proposed spending another $50 billion to shore up crumbling infrastructure. Election politics and Senate gridlock, though, may prevent a new transportation bill or an infrastructure bank from being passed before the election. (Post, Cavan)  (Tip: Cavan)  

Fear vs. Reality

Parents’ biggest fears for their children are kidnapping, school snipers, and terrorists, while car crashes are actually the top killer. That explains why parents freak out when a mom let her 9-year-old ride the subway, yet drive their kids everywhere. (Schneier on Security)