How to take citizen action on a deadly bridge crossing

A great summary here: http://www.bikebridgeport.com/2009/09/deadly-bridge-on-route-1-in-connecticut.html

Placemaking and Urban Design through Small Public Exercises

Interesting post on Bike Buffalo about citizen-led grassroots design solutions to the problem of too many parking lots in a city: http://www.bikebuffalo.com/2009/09/placemaking-design-competition-through.html

Jersey Journal: Secaucus police van accident injures prisoners and cop in Newark

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2009/09/secaucus_police_van_accident_i.html

A Secaucus police van slammed into the rear end of a truck on Route 1&9 in Newark while transporting the prisoners to the Hudson County jail in Kearny on Tuesday, leaving five prisoners and a police officer hurt, according to a report in The Jersey Journal.

Logan Square Neighborhood Association, in Philly, Connects Directly to Philly311

This from the SeeClickFix blog. Check here to see what it looks like: http://www.lsnaphilly.org/display/EXT/Online+311

Can Newark use the same technology to empower citizens?

The Logan Square Neighborhood Association is an all-volunteer community organization. It is dedicated to maintaining and improving the Logan Square neighborhood for the enjoyment of all who come there to live, work and visit.

Rob Stuart of Logan Square says, "We think it's one of the greatest neighborhoods in the world but with SeeClickFix we hoping to make it even better!"

I actually got to visit with Rob a few months back and agree that it is one of the Greatest Neighborhoods in the world (a close second to Upper State Street of course). You can really tell that their is a dedicated civic population that cares deeply about their community. Its also is really cool that they are nearly in the heart of downtown Philly, a few blocks from the river and its still pretty peaceful.Check out their site here: http://www.lsnaphilly.org

Many of LSNA's issues have to do with traffic and pedestrian efficiency and safety. Here's an example of one: http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/5633

C.S. Wrote: Entire stretch between 23rd and 22nd in disrepair. The street is worn down to the original cobbles and entire sections of those are missing!

Philly311 Responded: A repair request have been sent reference # 374-512. Thank you!

Anti Bike, Anti Pedestrian Coburn Amendment Fails on Senate Floor

http://t4america.org/blog/2009/09/16/details-on-the-anti-bike-and-ped-amendments-in-the-senate/

Senator McCain's amendments to cut public transportation projects are still on the Senate floor today, apparently. If you do not support cuts to public transit (especially since McCain's amendments leave highway projects untouched), and are from or know anyone who lives in states that are home to Sens. Klobuchar (MN), Bayh (IN), McCaskill (MO), Feingold (WS), or Webb (VA), it might be worth asking them to make calls to these Senators as soon as possible. http://t4america.org/ has more info.

Brick City Puts Newark Biking "Back on the Map"

See http://www.brickcitybikecollective.org/archives/10

Founded in June, the Brick City Bike Collective (BCBC) recently hit Newark’s streets, with Mayor Cory Booker joining the group for its first ride on August 7th.

Since the middle of the last century, Newark has been an autocentric place that is hostile to cyclists. Wide roads like McCarter Highway bisect communities and encourage speeding, while broken glass and potholes increase the chances of a crash. The Collective is working get more Newarkers out on bikes, make drivers more aware of bikers and encourage city planners to implement bike-friendly policies and infrastructure. So far, the group has 60 members.