Wednesday’s Headlines to Get You Over the Hump
More good news from Europe and more bad news at home. Don't shoot the messenger.
By
Blake Aued
12:28 AM EDT on October 14, 2020
- Without a national mask mandate, transit agencies are forced to use social distancing to alleviate fears of COVID-19. But the fixation on staying six feet apart could hinder efforts to return to normal capacity. (City Lab)
- There are a few other ways transit agencies can fight the pandemic, though, including ultraviolet lights and disinfection robots. (Modern Diplomacy)
- Without the need for a big gas engine, automakers can design electric vehicles pretty much however they want. No more giant, high deadly front ends? (Fast Company)
- Uber and Lyft are taking their Prop 22 lobbying efforts too far. (New York Times)
- The Week is begging Californians to vote down Prop 22. It’s nothing less than ruthless corporations’ attempt to create a permanent underclass of exploited workers in an effort to turn profits that might never come.
- The Purple Line debacle could taint Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s reputation as a savvy businessman running an efficient government. (Washington Post)
- When forced to choose between drivers in cars and people on foot, Houston usually goes with the former. (Texas Observer)
- Time is running out to give input on metro Atlanta’s $29-billion transit wish list. (Sapora Report)
- The Pittsburgh Port Authority is hiring its first-ever director of diversity and inclusion. (Post-Gazette)
- The Kansas City streetcar received another federal grant, this one for $14 million, to finish a riverfront extension. (STL News)
- Set your calendar (and prepare to be disappointed): Elon Musk said he’ll build a $25,000 Tesla in three years. (NY Times)
- Tucson’s bike-share is free this month. (Arizona Daily Star)
- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo promised to keep cracking down on cars in her first interview since her re-election. (Forbes)
- How can cities actually achieve Vision Zero? As Oslo showed, ban cars in the city center, and eliminate red tape for designating bike and bus lanes. (The City Fix)
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:
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday Video: Five Bike Advocacy Mistakes You Don’t Even Know You’re Making
For one thing, make sure that political leaders who say "no" to livable streets experience consequences for their decisions.
March 27, 2026
Friday’s Headlines Take a Free Ride
Waymo has remote response teams, but when a robotaxi gets stuck, emergency responders have to get behind the wheel.
March 27, 2026
Despite Spin, Calif.’s Transportation Commission Funded a Lot of Highway Expansion Last Week
The gaslighting is almost as bad as the funding decisions.
March 26, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Congestion Pricing Data Collection
New York's congestion pricing data whiz discusses the program's first year.
March 26, 2026
How DC’s Mayor and Council Chair Thwarted Every Effort to Better Its Streetcar
There are two reasons why D.C. doesn't have the streetcar system it was promised — and their names are Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson, one urbanist argues.
March 26, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.