Matthew Roth

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Short Stimulus Package Timeline Will Compel Tough Regional Choices

By Matthew Roth | | 5 Comments
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) main auditorium in Oakland was standing-room-only  Wednesday for an Allocations Committee meeting where the MTC board debated proposals by staff on how to spend the expected stimulus money when President Obama signs the bill into law.  MTC Executive Director Steve Heminger explained the need to get the discussion started even […]

DIY Safety Aids No Bike Injunction Can Stop

By Matthew Roth | | 1 Comment
Until the city certifies its Draft Environmental Impact Report in a few months and Judge Busch lifts the bicycle injunction, we have to get more resourceful about maintaining our safety as cyclists. Mykle Systems Labs has fabricated a speed vest that shows a cyclist’s speed to vehicles that approach from behind.  It both increases visibility […]

BRT Comes Out Ahead of Light Rail, Again

By Matthew Roth | | 42 Comments
BRT bus in Las Vegas looks a lot like light rail The debate among policy makers and community stakeholders over the merits of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) versus Light Rail Transit (LRT) is often heated, and usually centers around whether LRT recoups the substantial capital costs of implementation over time versus BRT, and whether BRT […]

Advocates Ask Supes to Support a Two-Way Hayes

By Matthew Roth | | 2 Comments
Advocates are calling for all livable streets supporters who have the time to turn out to the Board of Supervisors’ Land Use and Economic Development Committee meeting today at 1pm to voice their support for a two-way Hayes Street, as was called for in the Market and Octavia Plan.  In 2007, the Hayes Valley Neighborhood […]

The Great Streets Campaign Needs a Leader

By Matthew Roth | | 6 Comments
How great would a car-free Market Street be? The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC) is spearheading a new initiative it has dubbed "The Great Streets Campaign," which seeks to catalyze numerous stakeholders and policy makers to transform our city streets for people.  They just sent around a job announcement for the campaign director, which you […]

Senate’s $50 Billion Highway Giveaway Nearly Dead

By Matthew Roth | | No Comments
The Inhofe/Boxer stimulus bill amendment for $50 billion in additional infrastructure funds appears to be dead, with official word expected soon from Senator Harry Reid’s office. Sources close to the negotiations say that at least five Democratic Senators were not going to support the amendment if transit and water provisions weren’t improved, while Senate Republicans […]

The Boxer/Inhofe Amendment: Not Green Enough

By Matthew Roth | | No Comments
A revised draft of the Boxer/Inhofe amendment just came over the transom from a source in DC close to the negotiations (PDF).  This is a draft from yesterday and negotiations are ongoing, so expect changes.  Specifically, enviros are trying to get a "green screen" put in place, so that USDOT can pick from the priority […]

Unclogging the Cesar Chavez Traffic Sewer

By Matthew Roth | | 42 Comments
A 14′ median with trees will be added to Cesar Chavez when the bicycle injunction is lifted One of the many casualties of the bicycle injunction has been the community led plan for reconstruction of Cesar Chavez Street between Guerrero and the 101.  Over the past five years, community groups led by CC Puede, the […]

Boxer’s Stimulus Saga Rolls On

By Matthew Roth | | 1 Comment
Boxer no stranger to new freeways Environmental groups in DC are guardedly optimistic that yesterday’s barrage of phone calls and emails to Senator Boxer and company urging them not to write a $50 billion blank check for the highway lobby has not been in vain.  Boxer did not introduce the feared highway amendment yesterday and […]
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