This week’s things to know:

Front Blind Spot Test (WTHR Investigates)

The SUV has long been trending to be the preferred daily driver for many people across North America. This investigation into just how dangerous these vehicles could be for small children and pedestrians alike only solidifies the fact that not only is the design of roads a factor in pedestrian safety but also the form and design of our vehicles.  -Ryan

Car Lanes to Become Bike Lanes on 2 Major New York Bridges (New York Times)

The use of multimodal transportation in New York has always been in sight for me. Since being exposed to it in certain TV shows and online content, I have seen it and how seemingly successful the relationship between pedestrians and cyclists is with the city. There are sure to be hiccups here and there, thinking of this viral bike lanes video from 2011 in New York. But the increase in bike lanes at the cost of car lanes only means there will be more support for those that want to ride their bikes all across the city, and hope for more cities with a similar form to New York to follow suit. -Ryan

The People the Suburbs Were Built for Are Gone (Vice)

Adapting suburbs to better serve the interests and needs of a changing population is a topic we pay a lot of attention to. In a previous newsletter, I mentioned a new book from June Williamson and Ellen Dunham-Jones, Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Strategies for Urgent Challenges. Here's another good interview with them that explains some of the drivers for change in our suburban communities and the challenges and opportunities to look for. -Kevin

The 5 Cities Ready to Build With Remote Workers in Mind (CityLab)

Working remote was an idea that many people and businesses alike did not think was a 'remote' possibility in there workflow a year ago. With the long standing remote workforce model still sweeping many industries and companies there is reason to believe that it could be a new standard or at least a very popular option among perspective employees. This feature highlights some communities that are uniquely prepared for the influx of remote commuters in their build out. Do you currently live in one of these communities? In your eyes what makes it equipped for the remote workforce?  -Ryan

My Neighbor, My Pal (New York Times)

Precautions have caused many of us to alter our routines, limiting the time we're able to see our family, friends, and coworkers. For many people, getting out to experience their local neighborhood with neighbors has filled the gap. -Kevin

Here's the standard disclaimer: We always encourage our team members to freely share their thoughts and opinions, both in these newsletters and elsewhere. Given that, opinions expressed by any one member do not necessarily represent the views of the company as a whole.

Do you enjoy these weekly roundups? (Why wouldn’t you?) You can get them sent straight to your email inbox every Friday, if you’re into that.

Want to learn more about how fiscal analysis can help you make your city stronger financially?

We created a new sister website showcasing how we use math, maps, and money to help cities communicate your resource gap and explore ways to increase tax revenue and improve service efficiency without necessarily raising taxes.

Have a look! →

Hey, friends in local government:

Hey, friends who love cities! If you're looking for a place to discuss these topics (and more) with like-minded peers who want to help create a more resilient community, check out our Community Cultivators Network. It's free to join, and we are currently working to build new features for our 2021 relaunch, so stay tuned! We'll arm you with the content, ideas, and support to take small impactful steps to cultivate change.