“The rise in high-fronted SUVs poses a clear and growing threat to public safety, especially for children,” states the report. “With no benefit to society, it’s time for lawmakers at all levels to act.” Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. Cap SUV/truck hood heights. And ban unsafe designs. https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2025/06/11/eu-must-cap-suv-hood-heights-urges-report-crash-test-body-says-not-as-simple-as-that/

One of the most successful pedestrian streets in the world, the Strøget in Copenhagen, was filled with cars until a 2 year pedestrianization pilot project in 1962. The opposition argued “no cars means no business,” but the street has been a massive retail success, the city’s busiest shopping street.

This is an INSANE decision by the E.U. “By signing up to mutual recognition of vehicle standards with the U.S., the E.U. has waved the white flag on road safety. This is not a technical detail – it is a political choice that puts trade convenience ahead of saving lives.” This will kill people.

ETSC

ETSC: Mutual recognition deal with U.S. will cost lives on Europe’s roads

By signing up to mutual recognition of vehicle standards with the United States, the European Union has waved the white flag on road safety. This i...

NEW: 1km of Montreal’s Ste-Catherine Street will become permanently “pedestrian only” (less than perfect term since it will be a people-place for a LOT more than walking). 225+ new trees, vegetation-covered pits for rain drainage, more seating, illuminated canopy, financial help for businesses, etc.

Bluesky Social

Brent Toderian (@brenttoderian.bsky.social)

NEW: 1km of Montreal’s Ste-Catherine Street will become permanently “pedestrian only” (less than perfect term since it will be a people-place...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ste-catherine-east-pedestrian-street-1.7615675

“Helsinki has not recorded a single traffic fatality in the past 12 months, city and police officials confirmed this week.” City engineer credits lower speed limits and smart design. I agree. #Helsinki #VisionZero

News

Helsinki goes a full year without a traffic death

A city traffic engineer credits the success to lower speed limits and smarter design.

PARIS: “If we’re honest, we’ll admit that many cities still need to take their first real steps toward more sustainable city-making. And every city needs to go much further & faster.” Forbes writer @npub1aez4...xxkc interviews me on our bold new PARIS EXHIBITION launched by Mayor Anne Hidalgo and the City of Paris. #Paris https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2025/07/28/cities-vs-climate-change-global-exhibition-in-paris-inspires-action/

“One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss.” “Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.”

Grist

One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss

Copenhagen, the bicycle-friendliest place on the planet, publishes a biannual Bicycle Account, and buried in its pages is a rather astonishing fact.

In a sane world, this would be the biggest, most important news story in the world. ‘Tipping points’ experts issue urgent message to world leaders. “Every fraction of a degree above 1.5°C matters. And every year of “overshoot” matters too.” “It’s ultimately a matter of survival.” #ClimateCrisis

University of Exeter News

‘Tipping points’ experts issue urgent message to world leaders

World leaders must take “immediate, unprecedented action” to prevent devastating climate tipping points, experts say. The Global Tipping Points...

This is really important. The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.

As our cities get hotter and hotter, dark coloured buildings make no rational sense, even if you like that aesthetic (I do). The same goes for dark coloured roofs. And dark coloured streets and parking lots with dark coloured asphalt. That really should be obvious.