Stories by Ryan Thornton
Bicycle Advisory Council examines race and active transportation
In response to the confluence of Covid-19 mobility projects and renewed efforts for racial justice, the Bicycle Advisory Council has opened a conversation over its role as an advocacy group in city-led efforts that impact communities of color. “A lot…
Bicycles • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 17, 2020
Capital Metro audit finds fault in on-time performance system
A recent review by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Internal Audit Department has discovered a number of inconsistencies in the agency’s process for reporting service delays and recording on-time performance. The review found that dispatchers at MV Transportation almost always…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 16, 2020
Temporary protected bike lanes coming to a section of Congress Avenue this month
In another effort to meet demand for social distancing and safe activity as local businesses reopen, City Council voted Thursday to set up temporary protected bicycle lanes on Congress Avenue north of Riverside Drive by June 30. Mobility advocates said…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 12, 2020
City, Capital Metro adopt Project Connect with justice, sustainability in mind
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors and City Council adopted the final vision for an all-electric comprehensive transit system on Wednesday. Board members and city leaders said the $9.8 billion plan, featuring three light rail lines, a new…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 11, 2020
New bikeways earn Austin a spot among best bike cities in 2020
Austin has landed a spot in the top 20 best cities for bicycling in a recent survey by the U.S-based bike advocacy group PeopleForBikes. The city received an overall score of 3.0 out of 5, tying with Los Angeles, Detroit…
Bicycles • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 10, 2020
CAMPO pushes transit, active transportation, other projects to the side for I-35
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has at last approved a list of projects to defer from its 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program in order to contribute $633 million for the Interstate 35 Capital Express Central project. However, representatives from Travis…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 9, 2020
Subscribe to our newsletter
Council opens public right-of-way for safe business with amended special events pilot
City Council approved a pilot program Thursday that will allow restaurants, bars and shops to use private and public parking spaces, sidewalks and streets to serve customers at a safe distance. The Shop the Block! pilot builds upon the city’s…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 5, 2020
Austin Public Health to address health inequity in response to Covid-19
Austin Public Health Director Stephanie Hayden told City Council Tuesday that the city needs to address the vast inequities and social determinants of health – things like jobs, housing and health services – that have concentrated Covid-19’s impact upon poor…
Public Health • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 3, 2020
Garza suggests color-coded speed zones to slow car traffic
At least in the short term, the Austin Transportation Department is hanging its hopes of reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on a proposal that would drop most downtown and residential streets to a 25 mph speed limit while coordinating…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 1, 2020
Financial commitment for I-35 continues to divide CAMPO
After weeks of running projects through updated scoring criteria, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is still not approaching consensus on a list of projects to defer from its 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program, in order to free up $633 million…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • May 28, 2020
Capital Metro proposes incorporating Austin B-cycle as extension of public transit network
By late fall, public transit and bike-share users may be able to access both services with the purchase of a local bus day pass. Under a proposed partnership with the city, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is looking to expand…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • May 27, 2020
Council approves $6.9M in agreements for remaining RISE funds
City Council doled out nearly $6.9 million to 12 social services organizations in a unanimous vote Thursday, spending the remainder of the $15 million Relief in a State of Emergency, or RISE, fund approved by Council on April 9. Mayor…
