Thursday’s Headlines
Car-centric streets are being converted all over, but let's remember public spaces aren't inviting to us all. Click for these stories and more.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on May 28, 2020
- During the coronavirus pandemic, bike and sidewalk projects that might have taken years to approve or been killed by drivers are now getting done in a matter of weeks (New Republic). Australia is fast-tracking the construction of about 500 miles of bike lanes to accommodate the resurgence (The Guardian), and Toronto is poised to approve new routes as well (blogTO).
- A black birdwatcher’s confrontation with a white woman who called 911 on him in Central Park is a reminder that African Americans don’t always feel safe in public spaces. (City Lab)
- The car-loving New York Times did a whole story about the glory of the SUV, yet writer ?Tom Voelk?? devoted not a single word to the commensurate rise in deaths outside these assault cars. Where is the public editor when you need her?
- A decade’s worth of data shows that more people commute by bike where there are bike-share networks, but the increase is mostly confined to a few standout cities like Portland. (Fast Company)
- Transit agencies are going to have to win back the trust of riders before they turn their attention to new infrastructure. (Smart Cities Dive)
- The U.S. is entering its third bike revival thanks to coronavirus. (Quartz; subscription required)
- California is considering requiring Uber and Lyft drivers to use electric vehicles, cutting down on their emissions from “deadheading,” or driving around with no passengers. (Clean Technica)
- San Francisco is letting bars and restaurants take over streets, sidewalks and parking spaces for pickup and, eventually, outdoor dining (Eater). The question is, will this leave any room for people to walk?
- Valley Metro is holding online public hearings on a light rail expansion into West Phoenix. (KJZZ)
- Hartford is starting the process of reimagining its dangerous and congested Main Street. (Courant)
- A Texas railroad company owner is pushing a solution to the exorbitant freeway maintenance costs from tractor-trailer damage in Wyoming and elsewhere: Put the trucks on trains. (KPVI)
- Florida drivers are entitled — even the ones on golf carts. (Villages News)
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.
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