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SGV Connect

SGV Connect is Streetsblog Los Angeles' podcast that explores the people, places, projects and events that make up the changing face of transportation in the San Gabriel Valley. SGV Connect is hosted by Damien Newton and Kris Fortin. This feed also hosts SGV Connect's predecessor podcast, #DamienTalks.
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Archives
Now displaying: June, 2015
Jun 26, 2015

Good Data, it’s the Holy Grail of transportation reform advocates.

Today, #DamienTalks with Richard McKinnon, the head of Safe Streets Santa Monica and a member of the local planning commission, about his organization’s efforts to bring data to an often emotional debate over street safety. Santa Monica is one of the more progressive cities when it comes to transportation planning, yet there is a common belief among many residents that bicyclists are somehow a menace on the streets.

Using TIMS data, collected by the local police and compiled by statisticians at University of California at Berkeley, Safe Streets Santa Monica mapped 9,600 crashes that occurred over the last ten years.

Less than fifty of these crashes were caused by cyclists. McKinnon is sharing this data with his fellow planning commissioners, city staff and the City Council to inform the discussion when issues of traffic safety are brought up.

Want to repeat Safe Streets’s success? Head over to the TIMS website and get cracking.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at damien@streetsblog.org, at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or onFacebook at StreetsblogCA.

 

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Jun 24, 2015

Today, #DamienTalks with Jim Stone, the executive director of Circulate San Diego, about the recent announcement that the city will pursue a Vision Zero strategy for its transportation planning. Stone discusses the research and politics that happened behind the scene before this week’s announcement and what steps San Diego is taking to create a safe and livable city.

On Monday, the Mayor of San Diego, leaders of the City Council and the SDPD joined Stone to announce the city will create a Vision Zero plan for San Diego. Stone also presented a report by Circulate that details both the need for and some ideas to implement Vision Zero. I covered this story for Streetsblog California, earlier this week. For that story, click here. To read Circulate’s report, click here.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at damien@streetsblog.org, at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

 

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Jun 10, 2015

Today, DamienTalks with Meea Kang, the founder of the Council of Infill Builders. Meea and I talk about A.B. 744, legislation that has cleared the Assembly that would remove minimum parking requirements for affordable housing near major transit hubs.

This is an interesting interview because Kang has an impressive array of stats and figures about how excessive parking damages neighborhoods and how, as we all know from reading Donald Shoup, the market does a better job determining parking needs of a community than heavy-handed zoning laws.

Also, for our dedicated fans, you can see why I spend more time listening than talking in these as I try to talk about similar legislation I covered a couple of years ago only to discover it is actually the same legislation.

If you’re just reading this introduction, and haven’t listened to the podcast, but want to help get this legislation passed or have some ideas about the legislation contact Lisa Engel (LISA.ENGEL@ASM.CA.GOV) at Assemblymember Ed Chau’s office.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at damien@streetsblog.org, at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

 

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Jun 2, 2015

This week, #DamienTalks to South Pasadena Councilwoman Marina Khubesrian. Khubesrian, who happens to be a medical doctor for her day job, is also one of the leaders of the Beyond the 710 movement. Worn down by Caltrans and Metro (Los Angeles County MTA) pushing a freeway widening and tunnel project for over three decades, a group of San Gabriel County communities banded together with local activists and national nonprofits to create a new vision for the corridor.

We've written a lot about the attempts to dig a big highway tunnel in L.A. County's San Gabriel Valley at Streetsblog L.A. If you're interested, read more here.

Beyond the 710 is an innovative effort by progressive transportation reformers to reframe the debate. Instead of being "opposed to highway expansion" they are “for a series of smart fixes and great streets” that would both address the congestion hot spots and “for improving transportation options for all.”

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at damien@streetsblog.org, at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

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