- President Biden hopes a $3 trillion infrastructure plan will keep the U.S. competitive with China for decades to come. But it won’t be easy — China plans to add 50,000 kilometers of new rail by 2035 (Bloomberg). China is responsible for 60 percent of global transit growth since 1995, while North America has built just 3 percent (Reorientations).
- Speeding, distracted and impaired driving and other dangerous behaviors while streets have been relatively empty and more people are walking during the pandemic led to a 22 percent spike in pedestrian deaths during the first half of 2020. (Streetsblog USA)
- One labor organizer thinks a government-run public exchange for gig workers could improve working conditions for Uber and Lyft drivers. (New Yorker)
- The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority reversed course and will restore full pre-pandemic transit service. (WBUR)
- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to widen I-94 in Milwaukee is wasteful spending that will exacerbate disinvestment in minority neighborhoods. (Urban Milwaukee)
- Almost half of the $930 million raised by a proposed gas-tax hike in Jacksonville would go toward expanding Skyline, the city’s automated people-mover. (First Coast News)
- Miami-Dade officials have approved a partnership with private train company Brightline for a new commuter rail line. (Miami Today)
- The cost of a wall separating light rail and freight on Minneapolis’ Southwest line has more than tripled to $93 million. (Star Tribune)
- As part of Mayor John Cooper’s Vision Zero plan, Nashville is lowering residential speed limits to 25 miles per hour. (WKRN)
- Charlotte is removing a temporary bus lane on one of its busiest corridors, Central Avenue, and turning it back over to drivers. (Spectrum News)
- Autonomous shuttles are running in Arlington, Texas, as part of a Federal Transit Administration pilot program. (State Scoop)
- San Francisco’s 48-year-old Transit First policy has become a punchline. (Examiner)
- Philadelphia is not spending enough money on sidewalks. (Inquirer)
- Tempe’s new streetcar has arrived. (Fox 10)
- Free transit in Estonia did not reduce car trips, according to a government audit, probably because the system is not designed to meet people’s needs. (Eltis)
- Plans for an elevated light rail line in Montreal are drawing harsh reviews for its big, ugly concrete pillars. (CBC)
Streetsblog
Thursday’s Headlines From Around the World
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday Video: Are We All Living in a ‘Carspiracy’?
How does "car-brain" shape the way we think about the world — even in relatively bike-friendly countries like the U.K.?
July 26, 2024
Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike
Bikeshares, and e-bikes and scooters generally, are becoming more popular. That's led to more injuries, highlighting the need for better infrastructure.
July 26, 2024
What the Heck is Going on With the California E-Bike Incentive Program?
The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague.
Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?
Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.
July 25, 2024
The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes
A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.
