Streetsblog

Wednesday’s Headlines to Serve You Better

Lots of talk of President Biden's infrastructure bill. Plus all the other news.

By Blake Aued

1:08 AM EDT on May 26, 2021

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has a $300-billion agreement on transportation infrastructure that does include some money for the Biden administration’s priorities, like climate change and equity, but is just a fraction of the White House plan (Washington Post). According to Transportation for America, it plugs a few holes but leaves the leaky bucket intact. But it probably doesn’t matter either way — the higher-level bipartisan talks are on the verge of collapse (Politico).
Transit can do so much more than shuttle people to and from work, and the American Jobs Plan is a chance to make it happen. (Fast Company)
Uber’s offer of free rides to get vaccinated isn’t exactly altruistic — it’s a chance to reach new customers and a PR boon in the wake of all the bad publicity from its efforts to crush drivers’ labor rights. (Quartz)
Streetsblog got a shoutout in a Governing article about the dangers of widening rural highways. Specifically, Eve Kessler called out New York Sen. Chuck Schumer for supporting the Route 17 “boondoggle” in upstate New York.
So, Ars Technica, if electric vehicles “pose a problem for building roads,” why don’t we just, you know, stop building roads?
A New York state senate bill would rate vehicles on bike and pedestrian safety, which sounds like a great idea in an age of ever-taller and heaver trucks and SUVs. (City Lab)
Florida famously rejected federal funding for high-speed rail during the Obama administration, but is getting a second chance under President Biden. (Tampa Bay Times)
The Florida Times-Union comes out in favor of a Jacksonville gas-tax hike to pay for mainly transit and bike/pedestrian projects.
Denver cyclists took part in a critical mass ride to draw attention to drivers killing three people on bikes last week. (The Denver Channel)
Hope your house doesn’t catch fire in Roanoke, where firefighters are pleading with drivers to quit parking in front of fire hydrants. (WFXR)
Uber riders in Austin are the most likely of any city to leave something in their ride — unsurprisingly, most often on Friday or Saturday nights. Some unusual items include 22 bundt cakes, a tattoo machine and a portrait of Kate Middleton. (KXAN)