- Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced her resignation Thursday, citing the “traumatic” riot by Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol. But some said she should stay on and help use the Cabinet’s power under the 25th Amendment to remove the president (Politico). Meanwhile, Streetsblog said good riddance.
- The Biden Administration should help cities like New Orleans tear down urban freeways that are a legacy of racist planning. (Fast Company)
- When cities moved quickly to implement slow streets during the pandemic, it often created resentment among underrepresented groups that planners didn’t consult. (City Lab)
- People aren’t ditching their cars when Uber and Lyft come to town — in fact, registrations actually rise nearly 1 percent. (Green Car Congress)
- New York desperately needs more bike parking due to an uptick in cycling during the pandemic. The city has one spot for every 16 bikes but 1.5 free spaces for every car (City Limits, Streetsblog NYC). The problem isn't limited to New York, either (Next City).
- Drivers killed 54 people in Portland last year, the highest number since 1996 (The Oregonian)
- In Pittsburgh, where transit ridership has dropped 70 percent during the pandemic, the Port Authority is pushing to let low-income people ride for free. Advocates also want to reroute buses and trolleys from wealthier neighborhoods to poorer ones. (Public Source)
- A second round of layoffs at Denver’s Regional Transportation District brings the total cuts to nearly 400 jobs. (CBS 4)
- A Phoenix neighborhood group wants to take over public sidewalks so it can stop homeless people from sleeping there. (New Times)
- Madison will require electric vehicle chargers in new parking lots. (Wisconsin State Journal)
- Vancouver is creating “green zones” where hybrid buses will shut off their diesel engines to cut emissions. (The Reflector)
- China opened 20 new light-rail lines in a week. (International Railway Journal)
Streetsblog
Friday’s Headlines to End a Long Week
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Damn the Torpedoes, Friday’s Headlines Are Ahead
David Zipper has a long read in Slate about the history of freeway construction and how it compares to dams.
August 30, 2024
Friday Video: How (and Why) To Paint a Ghost Bike
Roadside memorials can make the human costs of our traffic violence crisis visible — at least until someone tears them down. That's why filmmaker made it his mission to restore two ghost bikes that had vanished from Boston roads.
August 30, 2024
Media Critique: Labor Day Traffic Coverage Ignores Trains
Recent coverage of the Labor Day weekend travel crush fails to mention rail services.
Killed by a Traffic Engineer: CalBike Interviews Wes Marshall
There is nothing that says you have to design for the peak or for 20 years from now. It’s a choice we’re making.
More Safe School Streets Coming To NYC This Fall
A record number of school "open streets" will operate across the city when the school year starts next week, officials said.
