- When it comes to driving, Americans are partying like it's 1999. The number of vehicle miles driven fell nearly 20 percent in March — when 32 states issued shelter-in-place orders — dropping to levels not seen in 20 years. But it's still way too high. (Quartz)
- Will the drop-off in driving last? In Wuhan, China — where the coronavirus outbreak started — car use has doubled since before the pandemic. Contrast that with the U.K., where officials are pouring money into pop-up bike lanes in anticipation of a massive shift to cycling. (Treehugger)
- Americans owe nearly $400 billion on their cars — up more than 50 percent from 10 years ago, and all that debt could stall the coronavirus economic recovery. (Brookings Institute)
- America's biggest transit systems are asking Congress for another $24 billion to offset coronavirus losses. Congress awarded transit agencies $25 billion in March, but it has not been enough. (Transportation Today)
- If you want funding for better transit, make sure you’re counted in the Census. (Arizona Daily Star)
- Loss of gas tax revenue due to coronavirus could delay road repairs and transit projects in Illinois (Chicago Tribune). Same goes for Pennsylvania, where turnpike tolls that fund transit are down (WHYY).
- Local bus routes in Pittsburgh will return to normal service this Sunday, though not commuter or express lines or light rail, because residents are still under orders to work from home if possible. (Post-Gazette)
- The D.C. Metro is planning to slowly ramp up, but probably won’t return to pre-pandemic levels of service until next spring. (Washington Post)
- Officials proposed new bike lanes in Jacksonville at a virtual town hall meeting celebrating the opening of the city’s new transit hub. (Florida Times-Union)
- It’s time to restart the push for intercity passenger rail in the Upper Midwest. (streets.mn)
- Bay Area Rapid Transit has added a San Jose extension to its map, but there’s no opening date for the two new stations. (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Uber drivers staged a caravan at the company’s San Francisco headquarters to protest its labor practices. (Tech Crunch)
- Science has proven that Rice Krispie treats would make good highway safety barriers — at least until they get stale. (New York Times)
Streetsblog
Wednesday’s Headlines From All Around this Land
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
New Camera Tech Hopes to Stop Drivers From Close-Passing Cyclists
If only policymakers could fully experience the pervasive problem of drivers passing too closely to cyclists perhaps they'd find a way to stop the deadly practice and get victims justice.
December 11, 2024
Wednesday’s Headlines Are Staying Put
Cities like Atlanta, Denver and Minneapolis provide blueprints for how transit can improve neighborhoods without pushing people out.
December 11, 2024
Op-Ed: NYC E-Bike Registration Bill Is Impossible to Enforce, Unnecessary … and Won’t Even Work
It sounds common-sense: register electric bikes just like cars. But there are so many flaws to this Council bill.
Do Tuesday’s Headlines Live in a 15-Minute City?
Find out how long it takes to walk to stores, restaurants and transit stops in your neighborhood with this Washington Post widget.
December 10, 2024
‘Trojan Horse’: NYC’s E-Bike Licensing Bill Would Fuel Anti-Immigrant Policing
Council members fail to address the e-bike registration bill's potential harmful outcomes.
