Today’s Headlines

  • When it comes to consuming fewer resources to save the environment, Energy Secretary Steven Chu says Americans are a lot like teenagers: they "aren’t acting in a way they should act." (WSJ)
  • Are states that outlaw texting while driving encouraging rule-breaking by posting traffic updates on Twitter? (AP)
  • What’s in Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s wallet? (Politico)
  • Kentucky state DOT, plagued by tight budget, makes room to create a brand-new position for a Democratic congressman’s wife (Herald-Leader)
  • New federal inquiry into potential terrorism plot prompts extra warnings about transit security (AP)
  • LaHood heads to Georgia’s Spelman College to unveil a new program aimed at boosting women’s involvement in the transport industry (ENEWSPF)
  • More proof of the trend reported here last month — trucks were more popular picks in the "cash for clunkers" program than the Obama administration admitted (Free Press)
  • What’s a "velomobile"? Short answer: the bike hybrid popularized by one locally famous resident of Washington state. Long answer: check out these pictures (Olympian)

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Drawing Ideas From Reformers, Obama Gets Behind 6-Year Transpo Plan

By Tanya Snyder |
President Obama told reporters today that he’s committed to a six-year plan to rebuild 150,000 miles of roads, lay and maintain 4,000 miles of railways, restore 150 miles of runways, and create a national infrastructure bank. He made his remarks after meeting with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, former Secretaries Samuel Skinner and Norman Mineta, L.A. […]

Secretary Villaraigosa? Not So Fast.

By Tanya Snyder |
A favorite for transportation secretary has stepped out of the race. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa released a statement late Friday saying he is “flattered and humbled” by the buzz around his candidacy but is “firmly committed to remaining in LA and finishing [his] term.” “I have said many times I will be focused on my […]

To Change Your Community’s Streets, the Action Is in the Statehouse

By Tanya Snyder |
Anxious about Congress messing up the federal transportation bill? There’s a lot at stake in Washington, but consider this: 78 percent of transportation funds come from the state and local levels. At a National Bike Summit panel yesterday on state-level bike advocacy campaigns, Dan Grunig of Bicycle Colorado spoke about the importance of reforming the agencies […]

MassDOT Secretary: “We Will Build No More Superhighways”

By Tanya Snyder |
OK, everybody, pack your bags. We’re all moving to Massachusetts. The Bay State’s transportation secretary, Richard Davey, has launched a “mode shift” campaign, saying in no uncertain terms that it’s time for people to get out of their cars and onto trains, buses, bikes, and their own two feet. His goal is to triple the […]