Quality. Independence. Impact.

Home | Contact Us | Media Resources

Tuesday February 9, 2010

Welcome   |   Register   |   Log in

Past Event

A Metropolitan Policy Program Event

Cities, Bicycles, and the Future of Getting Around

Cities, Transportation, Community Development, U.S. Department of Transportation


Event Summary

On December 8, the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings and the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) brought together civic and business leaders, policymakers, and administration officials for a conversation about practical and imaginative ways to promote alternative forms of transportation. The event launched Cities for Cycling, a NACTO project to break down barriers to bicycle-friendly street design in municipalities around the United States.

Multimedia Downloads

Full Event Audio

December 08, 2009 Length: 1:28:47

Event Information

When

Tuesday, December 08, 2009
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Where

7th floor
The Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC
Map

Event Materials

Contact: Brookings Office of Communications

E-mail: events@brookings.edu

Phone: 202.797.6105

Joining the program were co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.); New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan; and artist/musician David Byrne, former Talking Heads front man and long-time cycling advocate. Byrne is also the author of Bicycle Diaries (Viking, 2009), which chronicles his bike travels through some of the world’s major cities. His view from the bicycle seat inspired musings on politics, history, the urban landscape, fashion, architecture, globalization, as well as ideas about how cities can become more bike-friendly. Bruce Katz, Brookings vice president and director of the Metropolitan Policy Program, moderated the discussion.

After the program, panelists took audience questions.

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, David Byrne, and Brookings Vice President Bruce Katz
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) speaks while David Byrne looks on
New York City Department of
Transportation Commissioner Janette
Sadik-Khan, David Byrne, and
Brookings Vice President Bruce Katz
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.)
speaks while David Byrne looks on
David Byrne addresses the audience
David Byrne addresses the audience
 

Transcript

DAVID BYRNE: Thank you. This is where my parents live, in Columbia, Maryland. I didn’t grow up there, but they moved there when I went to college. Now they’re at an age now where they just recently realized they can’t drive anymore. And like a lot of people in this country who live in similar communities, they’re kind of stuck. There’s a bus that goes from Columbia into D.C. in the morning, and I think there’s one that comes back in the evening, and that’s it for public transportation, unless you want to get the little shuttles within the Columbia town. But as far as – if you don’t drive, you’re pretty much stranded out there, as a good part of this country will be stranded as they get older. Well, that’s just a fact of life, but we hope something will happen about that.

Participants

Welcome

Bruce Katz

Vice President and Director, Metropolitan Policy Program

Remarks

David Byrne

Author, Bicycle Diaries

The Honorable Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.)

United States House of Representatives

Janette Sadik-Khan

Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation


My Portfolio

My New Content

View suggested content based on items you have saved to your Portfolio.
Log in or register now