From New York City to Seattle, Critical Mass cyclists are not having a good week. In Seattle, some question the motivations of Critical Mass, some report conflicting stories, while others suggest foul play.
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Jul 29, 2008 - 115 comments

The New York Times article, Rethinking the Country Life as Energy Costs Rise , is just one of many articles documenting the apparent demise of suburbia. Unlike the notable Atlantic article which focused mostly on the mortgage bubble (previously), these more recent articles are beginning to focus of the rising cost of gas and transportation in general. (Previously) Is this the beginning of The End of Suburbia as predicted by the curmudgeonly James Howard Kunstler? (Discussed previously here and here.) Or are Americans simply readjusting their lifestyles to fit current economic limitations?
posted by Telf on Jun 25, 2008 - 99 comments

The Transportation Research Board released their 3rd edition of Commuting in America. Among their findings, a 50% increase in "extreme commuters", those with a one way commute of more than 60 minutes; 8% of Americans are now in this category. 25 years ago, 1 in 5 commeters carpooled. Today, only 1 in 10. And the dominant commuting pattern is now suburb to suburb or city to suburb. [via NPR]
posted by jaimev on Oct 16, 2006 - 31 comments

The Conflux Festival brings together mapmakers, urban adventurers, and performers to "investigate the physical and psychological landscapes of cities," NYC in this case. Tunnels and shortcuts, turning city sound samples into music, guerilla radio on unused FM frequencies, and a nighttime game of pursuit. My personal favorite is tide-propelled commuting on the Tide and Current Taxi. Via Flavorpill.
posted by salvia on Sep 14, 2006 - 7 comments

DriveTime. Live in Boston? Need a ride to (or from) work? You could be a guest on Ravi Jain's weekly video blog/talk show/commute. Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, (QT .mov)
posted by steef on Nov 20, 2005 - 5 comments

Prepare for the worst ... says Mayor Mike, as NYC faces down a crippling transit strike. For starters, cars carrying fewer than four people could not enter or leave Manhattan over any bridge or through any tunnel on weekdays, 24 hours a day. Commuters wishing to get into the city by car would need to pick up strangers -- and the city will facilitate this with staging areas. Unflappable New Yorkers are at least a little flapped. But the practice of strangers hitching rides with lone drivers isn't new to NoVa: There, they are called slugs and body snatchers. [more inside]
posted by dhartung on Dec 10, 2002 - 32 comments

Bikes and cars don't mix. At least, according to the author of this column. As someone who cycles for fun and commuting, I was alternately amused by his anti-bike spewing and terrified that he's a case of road rage waiting to happen. Remind me never to bike in Pittsburgh.
posted by RakDaddy on Jul 24, 2002 - 77 comments

I'm posting this link mainly so I have an excuse to discuss bike commuting. I recently started riding my bike to work. At first, I did it just to get into shape but I'm beginning to enjoy it for a number of other reasons. The sights, sounds, and smells (not always good, but still...) of the daily ride are much more pleasant than the daily stress of driving. Not to mention the whole "1 mile in a car emits 1 pound of noxious fumes" thing.

Do others ride to work? What are your experiences? Any good stories? Bad stories? How often do you get yelled at to "get out of the road?"
posted by bondcliff on May 17, 2001 - 44 comments