Winning Ideas to Promote Pedestrian Safety in a New Congress

Online, January 1, 2011 (Newswire.com) - When the 112th Congress convenes on January 5, 2011, potential legislative issues are likely to include transportation reauthorization; ongoing health care reform; and clean energy and environment. Lawmakers and their constituents searching for ways to reduce our reliance on foreign fuels and promote innovative business initiatives can draw inspiration from the newest episode of "Perils for Pedestrians", airing January 4 at 7:30 p.m. EST on The Universityhouse Channel. Here are a few highlights of segments from Episode 167 demonstrating how "green" solutions to common pedestrian and traffic challenges have been implemented successfully at the federal, state, and local level:

The largest pedestrian event in Washington, D.C. history was also the occasion of President Obama's inauguration. In an interview with Karyn Le Blanc of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation, program host John Z. Wetmore looks at the close coordination and planning among the capital's traffic, security, and transportation organizations to safely and efficiently accommodate nearly two million participants traveling to and from the festivities.

Many people are acquainted with the practice of valet parking for automobiles. Eric Gilliland of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association applied this concept to attract thousands of cyclists to the inauguration ceremony by offering valet bicycle parking.

We'll travel to Louisville, Kentucky to visit the innovation center of health insurance giant Humana, which has come up with a bright idea to beat the high cost of gasoline while promoting healthy lifestyles: the "FreeWheelin" bicycle-sharing program.

Wetmore follows the progress of the bicycle-sharing program's success in Louisville as Humana takes it to a nationwide platform - the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado and the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Find out how convention delegates, ordinary citizens, and even a few celebrities rediscovered an easy and fun way to avoid traffic problems at the convention.

Listen as Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin translates his experiences as a bicycle sharer at the convention in Denver into action to support environmental protection.

"Perils For Pedestrians" is a public affairs television series that looks at problems confronting pedestrians in their communities, and solutions to those problems from across the United States, and around the world. John Z Wetmore, host of the series, has interviewed advocates, engineers, planners, and public officials in all 50 states and in 15 foreign countries. In addition to The Universityhouse Channel on DISH Network 9411, "Perils For Pedestrians" appears on over 100 public access cable channels. Episode 167 can also be seen on Blip TV at: http://pedestrians.blip.tv .