- Racial inequality tops the headlines today. Uber’s star rating system is racially biased, according to a lawsuit filed by a San Diego driver (NPR). A 20-year-old Black man died after crashing his electric moped while being chased by police for riding without a helmet (Popville). And a Southwest Portland light rail line that would be funded as part of a $7 billion transit referendum has strong support (KATU), but City Observatory says it would benefit one of the city’s whitest and wealthiest neighborhoods.
- Joe Biden’s transit plan appears aimed more at creating construction jobs than actually providing good transit. (The Hill)
- A sharp drop in driving during the pandemic has cities, states and the federal government rethinking gas taxes as a way to fund transportation. (Smart Cities Dive)
- Thanks to bigger vehicles and gentrification pushing people who can’t afford cars into auto-centric suburbs, Virginia’s traffic death toll rose 50 percent over the past decade. (Mercury)
- Another lawsuit against Uber alleges that it coerced drivers into supporting Prop 22, its effort to overturn a California labor law (Fox Business).
- In what a police officer called an act of “complete stupidity,” a minivan passenger in Las Vegas leaned out the window and shoved a woman on a bike into the ground, then fell out of the vehicle and hit a light pole. Both died. The driver fled and was later caught and charged with murder. (People)
- When considering big infrastructure projects like Maryland’s Purple Line, it’s more important to think about the potential benefits than the cost. (Forbes)
- Bay Area transit officials think their best chance for federal coronavirus relief is a Joe Biden victory. (San Francisco Examiner)
- Private rail company Brightline is looking to partner with government-run SunRail on a line connecting Orlando and Tampa. (Sentinel)
- Cyclists in Washington state no longer need to stop at stop signs if the coast is clear. (Spokesman-Review)
- Harley-Davidson is getting into the e-bike business. (The Verge)
Streetsblog
Wednesday’s Headlines Mean We’re Still Pedaling Uphill
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday Video: Connecting the Dots Between Trump, Transit Cuts, Walkability Rescissions, Big Oil and Union Busting
Take a ride with More Perfect Union and learn about capitalism.
October 3, 2025
Is Sec. Duffy Holding NY Transit Hostage To Negotiate Away The Rest of America’s Transportation Future?
The federal Transportation secretary is using two large transit projects as a bargaining chip to bully Congress into passing a budget that could be disastrous for communities across the country.
October 3, 2025
Friday’s Headlines Shut It Down
The government shutdown looks like it will be just another excuse for the Trump administration to cancel transportation projects unless blue states bend the knee.
October 3, 2025
Can Pedestrian Pop-Ups Go Permanent in the U.S.?
Can temporary pedestrian pop-ups spur permanent change?
October 3, 2025
Talking Headways Podcast: Healthy Architecture, Healthy People
It is very unusual for an architecture project to pay any attention at all outside of the property line. And that has to change.
October 2, 2025
Report: A Third of Americans Can’t Rely On Cars — And 16 Million Have No Access At All
So why do we plan our cities like everyone can and does get behind the wheel every day?
October 2, 2025
