Thursday’s Headlines
Looking at smartphones is the leading cause of pedestrian injuries, and other myths Treehugger debunks about walking while distracted. Honolulu, New Orleans, Nashville, Chicago, Charlotte, New York, Portland, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and San Francisco are among the cities that could benefit most from more micromobility options like e-scooters because people take so many short trips … Continued
By
Blake Aued
8:00 AM EDT on September 12, 2019
- Looking at smartphones is the leading cause of pedestrian injuries, and other myths Treehugger debunks about walking while distracted.
- Honolulu, New Orleans, Nashville, Chicago, Charlotte, New York, Portland, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and San Francisco are among the cities that could benefit most from more micromobility options like e-scooters because people take so many short trips by car, according to a new report. (TechRepublic)
- Uber laid off 435 people this week, on the heels of another round of layoffs last month. (TechCrunch)
- About 60,000 people rode Indianapolis’ Red Line bus rapid transit during its first week of operation — short of the goal of 11,000 per day. (Star)
- Boston developers are increasingly eyeing surface parking lots as the city becomes less oriented around private automobiles. (Curbed)
- Washington state’s high court heard arguments Tuesday on the legality of the state’s car tab fee, which funnels billions into Sound Transit light-rail projects. (KOMO)
- Bus rapid transit could replace the canceled Durham-Orange light rail line in North Carolina. (Daily Tarheel)
- Driver shortages in Denver are disrupting light rail and bus routes. (Denver Channel)
- Silicon Valley transit drivers and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority averted a strike by agreeing to a new contract. (San Jose Mercury News)
- As cars get more efficient and gas tax revenue declines, Kentucky is considering funding roads with a per-mile fee instead. (WBRB)
- The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms is standing guard over 37 parking spaces near the Capitol, blocking a bike lane on Washington, D.C.’s Louisiana Avenue. (Greater Greater Washington)
- After disrupting taxis, re-inventing the bus and going all-in on scooters, Lyft is now starting a car rental service, for some reason. (Jalopnik)
Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday’s Headlines Go North, Young Man
If you want to walk and bike safely, stay out of the South.
August 7, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: What Does It Cost to Build a Bus?
Lisa Jerram of APTA and Philip Plotch of the Eno Center for Transportation explain the state of bus manufacturing and why buses cost so much.
August 6, 2026
Report: Building More Homes Reduces Overall Driving
Building more homes will get cars off the road, but where they’re built matters.
August 6, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Cut Away
A U.S. Senate bill would result in the loss of $950 million in transit infrastructure funding.
August 6, 2026
State Lawmakers Aim At Illegal E-Motos, But Hit E-Bikes Instead
A deceptive and widespread marketing tactic has tricked families into purchasing dangerous e-motos and fooled lawmakers into pushing laws that would make streets even less safe.
August 5, 2026
