Thursday’s Headlines

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on July 25, 2019

Drivers have killed more Americans since 2000 than died during the two world wars. From 2006–2012, drivers killed twice as many Americans as opioids. Where is the outrage? (Washington Post)
Democratic presidential candidates are criticizing Uber and Lyft’s labor practices — but that hasn’t stopped them from using ride-hailing services. (Quartz)
Los Angeles’s Sepulveda Pass elevated and subway line is now projected to cost up to $14 billion, leaving a shortfall of up to $8 billion. Apparently it would overwhelm the planned Van Nuys light rail line and must be expanded (L.A. Times). In related news, a new Government Accountability Office report says the Federal Transit Administration can do a better job helping state and local governments estimate and control costs.
When the environmental damage from burning fossil fuels is taken into account, gas taxes are ludicrously low — so low that drivers of electric cars, who pay no gas taxes, might be entitled to a tax credit, even though they also use roads and contribute to congestion (City Lab). California, Washington and Illinois are among the states mulling a mileage tax to capture EV revenue, and North Carolina has formed a commission to look at the issue (Raleigh News & Observer)
Americans’ insistence on driving to work alone is causing traffic congestion and hurting the environment and our health, says a Harvard researcher who focuses on Atlanta’s strategies for car-free living. (Data-Smart City Solutions)
Los Angeles transit officials think all-door boarding and more bus-only lanes could reverse a decline in ridership. Key votes are scheduled for today. (Curbed)
Seattle is mulling Dutch-style protected intersections that are safer for cyclists than bike boxes. (Seattle Times)
Why is Denver’s bike lane system so patchy? Cyclists are frustrated they can’t use the car-free 16th Street Mall, but the Federal Transit Administration says there are too many cars and buses on weekdays. (Denver Post)
Indianapolis’ Red Line bus rapid transit is scheduled to open September 1, and will be free for the first month. (RTV6)
Uber and Lyft siphon off $20 million from Boston transit, according to a new study. (Boston Magazine)
Disney World is finally finishing a sidewalk it started all the way back in 1994. (Orlando Weekly)
An environmental group has hired a company to fish out the more than 100 rental bikes thrown into London canals each year. (Guardian)

Blake Aued

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