If you are one of the last minute shoppers who is yet to buy a holiday present for your children (or for someone you dearly love), I’d recommend getting them a bicycle. Why? A bike not only helps them stay active and lead a healthy life but also helps them learn to be independent (and not depend on you to get around to and from school) and stay focused in their studies.  Besides the provocative title for this post (and the fact that I’m writing this even though I’m a parent, at least yet), there must be some truth to the fact that we might be transporting our children, all caged up in automobiles all the time instead of setting them free on a bicycle (or walking).  Well, at least that’s what these children in Netherlands,  Belgium, France and Britain are hinting at in this video produced by Sustrans, a UK based non-profit organization that promotes pedestrian, bike and public transportation options.

Watching this video promoted me to do a quick comparison of  the academic performance (Mean score in PISA 2012) of children from these countries (I know it is a crude measure but still worthy of pointing out that).  Not to be surprised, they all fared well above our good ol’ USA (and before you ask we are far behind the chart-topping Asian giants China, Japan and Korea): 

Of course, I didn’t get enough time on hand to compare the health indices of these countries but I have no doubt that we might be in for some shocking results, given the ungodly levels of childhood obesity rates we currently have in the United States. I’ll reserve that angle for exploring on another rainy/snowy day. If every school district in the U.S. spent a tiny fraction of its budget on providing/building bike lanes and bike infrastructure, we may soon see a tremendous change in the way our kids learn/live. It may be the perfect antidote for a nation that has ungodly levels of childhood obesity.  Mind you, the US tops every country on Earth when it comes to educational spending (roughly $68.1Billion in 2012, (over 7 % of GDP), which is ~$15,171 on every young person in the system) Here are some alarming data nuggets from the Center for Disease Control:

• Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years.
• The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period.
• In 2010, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.
• Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

More here.  Encouraging more children to take up cycling requires that we provide good infrastructure support, which is sorely lacking in many towns and cities across America.  We have to work, as a community and nudge our decision-makers to spend on these low-cost measures (i.e.,bike lanes) and make our cities bike and pedestrian friendly. At least it is worth exploring, from a scientific perspective, how biking (and walking) helps improve the quality of life for our children (in academic and otherwise).

JOB TITLE: Research Analyst II/Policy Associate
PROGRAM: Environment, Energy and Transportation Program (EET)
SALARY: $3,245-3,667 per month depending on qualifications
FUNDING: 100 percent grant funds

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

NCSL’s Transportation Program is seeking a Research Analyst II or a Policy Associate to perform legislative research, analysis, writing and program planning. This person will assist with providing quality, unbiased information to state legislators and legislative staff through publications, legislative tracking, meetings and other efforts. The Research Analyst II/ Policy Associate will answer information requests from state legislators, legislative staff and other policy stakeholders on transportation issues
such as revenues for infrastructure, public transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, driver’s licensing, commercial vehicles, traffic safety and other transportation topics.

The Research Analyst II/Policy Associate will also update online bill-tracking databases, draft publications, coordinate meetings, give presentations, compile and summarize legislation, and complete research for program projects including publications, NCSL meetings and off-site trainings and presentations . This professional position requires demonstrated competence in research, writing,
communication, public policy and analytical skills. This position is funded for one year from outside grants and contracts and continuation of the position is subject to the acquisition of additional grant and contract funding.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Typical duties may include some or most of the following:

1. Collects, monitors and analyzes data on legislative actions and state and federal programs using  a range of research skills including legal research, original surveys, in-depth interviews and specialized library resources.
2. Prepares prompt, concise and accurate written responses to legislative requests for information.
3. Under supervision, plans programs and organizes background materials in closely related subject areas for research projects, meetings, conferences and technical assistance workshops.
4. Plans, researches and writes for newsletters, issue briefs, short research reports or articles though most written products are subject to close review and editing by more senior staff.
5. Provides substantial content management and data entry support to the NCSL Transportation Funding and Finance Database, the NCSL Transportation Access and Mobility Database and/or other bill-tracking databases.
6. Develops and delivers presentations to a variety of audiences based on original research on transportation policy topics.
7. Undertakes research and writing for grant and contract proposals.
8. Under supervision, may interact directly with grant and contact project officers and undertake some project management responsibilities.
9. Assist as required with the staffing of relevant NCSL committees, task forces and meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree plus three years of relevant work experience, including at least one year of general policy research, legislative or state government experience. Relevant professional level work experience or graduate level can be substituted on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree is preferred but not required.
• Skill and competence in a range of research skills and tasks.
• Experience with state transportation policy research and analysis.
• Skill and competence in writing clearly and communicating orally.
• Skill and competence to work effectively with legislators and legislative staff.
• Skill and competence to work independently and to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. This includes the ability to balance and prioritize numerous projects at once, to meet deadlines and to effectively communicate how this is happening to supervisors of said projects.
• Able to maintain bi-partisanship, confidentiality and handle politically sensitive work.
• Skill and competence in working cooperatively and professionally with a variety of people, often under pressure.
• The willingness and desire to learn from multiple supervisors.
• Attention to detail and the ability to problem solve and think critically is essential.
• Is well-organized, efficient, flexible and a team player with a positive attitude.

Reply:

Send cover letter and resume by Friday, January 3, 2014, to:
National Conference of State Legislatures
Personnel/AT
7700 East First Place
Denver, CO 80230
Email: hr@ncsl.org

NCSL is an equal opportunity employer.

The Coalition for Smarter Growth seeks an Outreach and Development Associate to join our dynamic and talented team. The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization in the Washington DC region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. Our mission is to promote walkable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities, and the land use and transportation policies needed to make those communities flourish.

We’re looking for an energetic, positive, creative team member who is organized, detail-oriented, and possesses outstanding interpersonal skills. We offer a fun and flexible office environment, conveniently located near Union Station. As a small organization (there are five other full-time staff members), this position fills a critical need in our office. It’s also a great opportunity for the right candidate to not only help build and win victories for our smart growth movement, but develop a varied portfolio that can significantly enhance your professional development.

Our ideal candidate is a multitasking individual who can switch easily between playing a key support role on our fundraising team, coordinating our annual educational series of events, leading targeted outreach campaigns (in coordination with our policy team), and managing office operations. An intuitive feel for tech troubleshooting, successful grant writing experience, a campaign fundraising or organizing background, or a demonstrated passion for smart growth policy are all things that can move a candidate up the priority list.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising

Outreach: Manage donor relationship process, execute direct mailings, research donors and foundations, draft correspondence and other documents, and take the lead in event planning and logistics.

Data: Process donations, maintain donor database and run queries and reports (using the Salsa CRM).

Educational Outreach and Advocacy

Coordinate Walking Tours & Forum program: Play the lead coordinating role for planning our annual series of walking tours of transforming neighborhoods and educational forums on smart growth topics. Work with our policy team to determine appropriate guest speakers, plan itinerary, and work with our communications team to plan and execute promotional publicity.

Coordinate Events: Plan and manage CSG outreach events including social hours that cultivate our supporters, donors, volunteers and partners.

Coordinate targeted advocacy campaigns: In conjunction with policy team, coordinate DC and Arlington advocacy projects on issues like transit investment, land use policy, and affordable housing.

Press Outreach: Play a support role to our communications team’s outreach efforts on earned media throughout the D.C. region, supervising regular updates to our media database, sending out press releases, and making prepared press calls.

Running Office Operations

General Administration: Accounting tasks including tracking and reconciling bills and invoices, troubleshooting office equipment including the copier, answering the phone, updating our databases, ordering office supplies

Staff Support: Meeting coordination and scheduling, proofreading, maintaining our office calendar, sending and forwarding emails, and other tasks as needed.

The Other Stuff

As a small organization, there are times we all pitch in on problem solving, major events, and special projects. Everyone wears a lot of hats here, so we want any new team member to be ready to do the same!

Qualifications

• Positive, self-starter attitude
• At least 1-2 years professional experience (this can include impressive intern/fellowship credentials)
• Proactive, “yes I can” approach to spotting and solving problems, while keeping an eye out for opportunities to improve our office systems
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Flexibility to adjust to a busy, dynamic office
• Ability to prioritize and balance many tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to our mission outlined at www.smartergrowth.net
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with a good sense of humor
• Ability to make at least a one year commitment (ideally a two year commitment)

Equal Opportunity Employment

Equal opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at the Coalition for Smarter Growth. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in smart growth and what strengths you would bring to the job to jobs@smartergrowth.net, and include the job title “Outreach and Development Associate” in the subject line. Starting salary will be in the 30s, with the exact level dependent on experience, and opportunities for advancement available. We’ll begin holding interviews in early December, but applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls or letters please.

Brilliant… and everything about Tesla Model S sounds better when the narrator sounds like Jason Statham (or is it Jason himself  narrating it?).  A bit of research showed that it is a part of NatGeo (UK)’s Megafactories Show, which has a ton of more such awesome things.. Check out the program’s website.

We all know our “developed” societies have way too many cars and often choke up our streets and take up valuable space, resulting in terrible congestion and chronic bottle necks.. If a lot of people chose to leave behind their cars and instead opt for public transportation, it will be a perfect anti-dote for the chronic congestion that plagues our streets. So, how do you tell this story effectively? Here is one way to do it.. I call this the mother of all sustainable transportation images (courtesy of The Atlantic)

Let me tell ya.. The amount of road space saved when a few dozen people switch from driving cars to riding the public transport is ENORMOUS.

via Popular Science

Slowly but steadily coast-to-coast travel in an electric vehicle is inching closer to reality. Though not as ubiquitous as the gas stations on the highways and arterial, the growing number of charging stations indicate a big shift coming our way. An interesting data nugget – more than half of the nation’s 8,051 electric-vehicle charging stations have opened since 2012.

Data Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center, U.S. Department of Energy; Image Courtesy: Popular Science

Legend:

• Each hexagon represents the number of stations in that area.
• Blue hexagons—mostly outside major cities—indicate those built in 2012 and 2013.
• Orange hues show older and newer stations.

In its 5th year, the North America Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum will present the top 50 infrastructure projects required for bringing the world back to growth and job-producing competitiveness. These projects offer tremendous business opportunities for financial, equipment and technology, engineering and construction firms as well as for the public sector. Projects presented include surface transportation, water and wastewater, new and traditional energy, urban mass transportation, oil & energy, ports & logistics and digital infrastructure.

Transportgooru is excited to be a media partner for this important event that brings together practitioners and policymakers engaged in the infrastructure conversations.  Hope I can get to meet some of you at this event. Here is what you get for registering:

• Short, clear, project presentations of the Top Infrastructure Projects
• Pre-scheduled private meetings with project presenters and event sponsors
• Topical workshops and round tables
• Multiple networking opportunities
• Participant contact information
• Cocktail opening reception

Dates: OCTOBER 29 – 31, 2013.

Location: MAYFLOWER RENAISSANCE HOTEL, WASHINGTON, DC

Registration:  Click here to learn more and to register for the event.

Mashable shared this nice infograph developed by Gocompare.com that breaks down the details of the much anticipated Hyperloop, a new form of transportation backed by innovative entrepreneur Elon Musk.  It warrants attention, knowing it is backed by Elon Musk, who has already wowed the world with his transportation ventures like SpaceX and Tesla. It is expect that Elon Musk will unveil the Alpha design and discuss the details of the Hyperloop on August 12.. Can’t wait!

Image Courtesy: GoCompare.com via Mashable.com

We have come across many studies over the years that dissected the ill-effects of long commutes. Add this to the collection.  This video from Wall Street Journal Live summarizes a lot of these big issues associated with long commutes. It sheds light on how hours spent driving can wreck finances, health, and marriage. Market Watch’s Quentin Fottrell joins WSJ Lunch Break to chat about the five ways commuting may be ruining your life.

Image Source: Imgur via Reddit

Aaah.. The sun feels good!!..Looks like the Walrus is blissfully resting on the surface of this submarine unperturbed by the human in the background.