- Public transportation might never fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic (City Metric). Vancouver’s TransLink is laying off 1,500 workers and suspending 18 bus routes because it’s losing $75 million a month (CBC).
- Conservative magazine The Federalist continues to falsely claim that transit spreads COVID-19. Such fears have automakers hoping that transit riders will buy cars (Automotive News).
- With gas tax revenue falling and electric cars getting more popular, the U.S. needs a new way to pay for road maintenance. (The Drive)
- John Forester, a controversial figure in the cycling community because he opposed bike lanes and advocated riding with traffic, has died at the age of 90. (Forbes)
- If people keep working from home, walkable neighborhoods will spring to life. (Treehugger)
- A Portland freeway is carrying more cars at higher speeds since the COVID-19 pandemic started because traffic has stayed just below the tipping point — showing that it’s pointless to try to relieve congestion by widening roads without managing demand. (City Observatory)
- The transit union in Philadelphia called off a strike Thursday and will continue talks on coronavirus safety measures. (KYW)
- Landscape Architecture muses about coronavirus and Boston’s Emerald Necklace.
- Paris is creating 650 kilometers of pop-up bike lanes in preparation for easing lockdown May 11. (Forbes)
- These NASA satellite images illustrate how idled vehicles and factories are clearing the air in India.
Streetsblog
Friday’s Headlines From Around the Nation
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday’s Headlines Back the Bikes
Setting aside the fact that bike lanes don't make traffic worse, resisting bikelash on busy roads is essential to creating a useable network.
April 18, 2025
Does Driver’s Ed Really Make Roads Safer?
States like Georgia are taking a critical look at their drivers education programs — but some say the whole concept of driver's ed deserves scrutiny.
April 18, 2025
Friday Video: Ken Jennings Has a Web Series About Transit!
Jeopardy's host and most famous player is a big fan of the bus — and he's helping educate his fellow Washingtonians about why they should be, too.
Talking Headways Podcast: The Pacific Circuit
Alexis Madrigal connects containerization to globalization and its direct impacts on one Oakland neighborhood.
Thursday’s Headlines Wonder Why
Why are drivers killing so many pedestrians? Governing magazine has a number of familiar theories.
April 17, 2025
