Car Free Days in Caracas are a Huge Success
In Venezuela’s largest city they’re looking to make roads usable for people again. The city of Caracas is encouraging people to come out and enjoy reclaimed public spaces on specific…
Transportation
The Parable of the Prius
I was at a talk on dematerialization a few weeks ago, and one of the speakers told “the parable of the Prius” to illustrate Jevon’s paradox that efficiency gains do…
What’s in a Lot?
Here’s a challenge from Eran Ben-Joseph: name a great parking lot. Couldn’t do it, could you? Neither could I, and neither could Ben-Joseph. In a new book ReThinking a Lot:…
Air travel and carbon footprint
A bi-annual vehicle emissions test got me thinking about my personal carbon footprint. A lot broad-brush numbers and calculators exist out there to calculate one’s footprint, but I’ve never found…
The Universal Student Transit Pass
I have an opinion piece out on the City of Ottawa’s universal, student transit pass–also known as “the U-Pass.” Points raised in the op-ed include the following: -U-Pass programs exist…
Madrid Turned a Highway into a Park
Madrid made a very wise urban planning decision and buried a highway to make room for people and nature. Thanks to a lack of foresight, the Rio Manzanares was surrounded…
The Future of Transit: Gondolas
The Gondola Project is all about bringing fast and cheap public transit to cities by using (what else?) gondolas! Some people may think that gondolas are only for ski resorts…
‘Electric Highway’ Infrastructure Goes Live
The first location in what will be a series of fast-charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles as officially opened in Washington State. Consumers cite concerns over how far electric…
Parliament in Review: November 14, 2011
Monday, November 14 saw MPs return to the House of Commons from a week’s break. But if anybody thought the time away would lead to less contentious debate, the day…
Haikus in NYC for Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
City of New York Makes streets safe with poety Haikus may save lives!
Public Bike Share Coming to New York?
It’s no secret that we here at Things Are Good like bikes and bike sharing (we may have even posted about it once or twice…), and now some more good…
Is Toronto Lost?
Has Toronto lost its way? That's been the word on the street, and pretty much everywhere else, since Mayor Ford took office a little less than a year ago.But as…
Changing a Mall from Useless to Useful
Dead malls are a problem in too many communities and these malls are occupying large tracts of land that can be used better. Suburbs in North America have to confront…
A Simple Change in Signage can Save Time, Environment
Here’s a TED Talk that explores how creating a new road sign can make a huge impact on the roads of America. Gary Lauder breaks down the impact of a…
Subways to (Kinda) Power Themselves
Most hybrid cars capture energy excerpted while braking and use it to help refill the battery. A company that makes flywheels will be working with New York City to apply…
Happiest Commuters Walk or Cycle to Work
Many cyclists can go on for hours about how great riding a bicycle everyday is (I know I can), and it has been proven that walking can make you happier…
NAFTA Superhighway Rearing Head in Republican Leadership Race
P’n'P covered the NASCO Corridor/NAFTA Superhighway quite a while ago, back when all the powers-that-be were denying it was a plan in action. Well, Regina now has its ‘global transportation…
Good Bikes on the Streets of Toronto
The Good Bike project is bringing colour to the streets of Toronto. Bright neon bicycles are celebrating aspects of Toronto, they really are eye-catching. Over the past few weeks, more…
A crushing defeat for gas guzzlers? – Friday Film Pick: Lithuanian mayor crushes car blocking bike lane
Arturas Zuokas, the mayor of Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius has come out in strong opposition to cars parked in bike paths on roads.
Nissan Cars May Power Your Home
Nissan has built a car that can charge on the road then use the excess charge it holds to power a home. This car can then be used to power…