Climate Cities

Hung out to dry: Why clothesline bans are wrongheaded

Some homeowners associations ban solar drying, threatening offenders with fines and even forced expulsion for saving energy costs by hanging their wash out to dry. Help map the places with restrictions on the right to sun-dry.

NYC cyclist gets doored by clueless cops

If you're riding a bike and get doored, it sucks no matter what. But what if, like Stephen Mann, you get doored by a cop?

Judging from Mann's account, it's even worse than getting hit by your run-of-the-mill inconsiderate driver.

How do you design a bike that will make people give up cars?

Oregon Manifest is a challenge, sponsored in part by Levi's, to bike designers and constructors to build "The Ultimate Modern Utility Bike." The bike must have features like built-in anti-theft devices, fenders, lighting, load-carrying capability, and kickstand. Bikes entered into the contest will be tested on a 50 mile course that covers city and dirt roads, asphalt, gravel, hills, and stairs. The winner receives a $3,000 prize.

In Baltimore, Zipcar users take fewer car trips

Baltimore is an old, industrial city with old, car-focused transportation infrastructure. But add a little Zipcar in, and Baltimore residents suddenly get a lot more gung ho about walking, biking, and taking the bus.

Announcing this year's most walkable cities

Walk Score has announced its 2011 list of most walkable cities, with a twist -- this year there's also a "fan favorite" category, where you can vote for what city you think is the easiest to navigate on foot.

Erasing hate speech from public spaces [VIDEO]

One 66-year-old German woman has made it her mission to remove and obliterate neo-Nazi, homophobic, and racist graffiti. Watch "The Hate Destroyer" in action.

The Bike Factor: Disability and the ability to ride a bicycle

For many people with disabilities, cars don't just symbolize independence and freedom, they make them possible. But this isn't universally true

Bikes — and rollerbladers — beat plane in Carmageddon race

What happens when L.A. is debilitated by repairs on a 10-mile stretch of freeway? Some people hop on a 35-mile plane ride to bypass it. And others get on their bikes and make it there in half the time. 

Greening a city … and pushing other colors out

A development plan in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood exposes the challenges of making communities sustainable without destroying their social fabric.

Play chutes and ladders on public transportation

The designers of this "Transit Accelerator" in the Dutch city of Utrecht have the right idea about making public transportation fun: turn it into a board game, or recess. What […]