Wednesday’s Headlines From Around the Nation
- Congestion is down, and so are commute times in major U.S. cities during the coronavirus pandemic, with Los Angeles and Chicago leading the way. (Bloomberg)
- A new poll shows that Americans strongly support better public transit and are willing to pay for it through higher taxes or fees. (State Smart Transportation Initiative)
- People are likely to remain reluctant to use public transit and switch to micro-mobility options like bike-shares instead once the coronavirus pandemic starts to recede. (Next City)
- Curbed made a video of a panel discussion on safe street design that was originally slated for the canceled South by Southwest festival. It features Families for Safe Streets co-founder Amy Cohen, NACTO Executive Director Corinne Kisner and L.A. DOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds.
- Gig workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers are still struggling to get help if they come down with COVID-19. (NPR, CNN)
- Teleworking is here to stay, which will relieve congestion and improve air quality. But if fewer people are driving to work, it also means states will have to find new ways to pay for road maintenance — unless they realize they could simply cut the budget for it. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
- The mayor of Hialeah is requiring people to pick up unemployment forms in their cars, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis thinks that's a good idea. Many people without cars also can't get tested for coronavirus because the testing sites are drive-through. (Miami Herald)
- New York Magazine — echoing Streetsblog — calls NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s erstwhile mini-street-closure program “pathetic” in an epic takedown.
- San Francisco’s Muni is cutting almost all of its bus and light rail lines this week. (Examiner)
- The transit system in Grand Rapids, Mich. has put off plans to lay off 300 employees. (M Live)
- The Supreme Court declined to hear the Catholic Church’s challenge to the D.C. Metro’s ban on religious ads, allowing the policy to remain in place. (The Hill)
- As France’s COVID-19 death toll continues to rise, Paris has banned jogging, because apparently people were unable to go outside without congregating in large groups. (France 24)
- These aerial photos show how freeway construction decimated six U.S. cities. (Visual Capitalist)
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
To Help Save the Planet, Take the ‘Week Without Driving’ Challenge
Former Sierra Club President Ramón Cruz is urging Americans to give up driving for seven days — and support policies to make it optional for everyone.
Labor Gains: NYC Judge Tosses App Giants’ Suit to Stop Deliverista Minimum Wage
Justice Nicholas Moyne cleared the way for a long-delayed wage hike for workers who brave dangerous roads to bring food directly to New Yorkers.
Friday’s Headlines Are Charged Up
Expect a lot fewer ordinary gas stations and a few more Buc-ee's in your area as the electric vehicle transition continues.
Commentary: Let’s Talk About the Real “Fatal Flaw” on Valencia
How many people have to die before professional advocates stop endorsing the Valencia Street "experiment" on people?
Talking Headways Podcast: Beyond Greenways
This week we’re joined by Bob Searns to talk about his new book and grand ideas for walking trails that circle whole regions and more local routes that make up a new mode of green infrastructure in cities.
