- Simply electrifying the federal fleet and building more EV charging stations, as President Biden has proposed, won’t be enough to fix climate change. We still have to drive less. The federal government should stop building highways and provide more funding for walking, biking and transit, and cities need to allow denser housing and eliminate parking requirements. (City Lab)
- President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg want high-speed rail, but they'll have overcome the political opposition that vexed President Obama. (CNN)
- The “15-minute city” where everything is a short walk or bike ride away, is all the rage. New Urbanists Andres Duany and Robert Steuteville break down what that means in terms of distance. (CNU Public Square)
- Uber is offering free rides to Walgreens to get the COVID-19 vaccine for people who lack transportation and live in underserved communities, starting with Atlanta, Chicago, Houston and El Paso. (CNBC)
- Pollution in U.S. subway systems, especially the PATH system in New York, is well above safe levels. (The Guardian)
- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has spent billions on roads while allowing transit to fall into disrepair. Baltimore lawmakers are pushing a bill that would require the state to spend more on maintenance. (Transit Center)
- Cheap and flexible, boring old buses are the best way to boost transit ridership in Seattle. (The Urbanist)
- Bowing to complaints from motorists, the Tampa city council is backing down on a parking rate hike it approved last year to encourage drivers to use other types of transportation. (Tampa Bay Times)
- A Pennsylvania bill would allow cities to build parking-protected bike lanes. (Pittsburgh City Paper)
- Tucson transit will remain fare-free through June. (KVOA)
- Four-wheeled bike or tiny car? The CityQ is pedal-powered, with an electric-motor assist, but also offers cargo space, room for a passenger or two and some protection from the elements. (Intelligent Living)
Streetsblog
Thursday’s Headlines for the People
By Blake Aued
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