- Drivers killed 38,680 people in the U.S. last year — the most since 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While people drove less, especially during lockdowns in the first half the year, they were also more likely to drive fast, drive drunk and not wear seatbelts. (Reuters)
- Thousands of people are lobbying the feds to rewrite an arcane traffic manual so it encourages safer, more equitable streets. (Wired)
- Electric vehicles aren't as clean as they're touted to be, and tax subsidies to buy them mainly go to the upper class. (The Hill)
- President Biden's regular budget for 2022 — not the CARES Act or infrastructure bill — has $13.5 billion for transit and $2.7 billion for Amtrak (Trains). The Natural Resources Defense Council calls it a sea change in the fight for equity and against climate change.
- Specific projects Biden wants to fund include Madison bus rapid transit (Wisconsin State Journal), BRT in Rochester, Minnesota (KAAL), light rail and BRT in the Seattle area (Kent Reporter), two BRT routes in Austin (KVUE) and Phoenix light rail expansions (KTAR).
- The Colorado legislature passed and Gov. Jared Polis intends to sign a $5 billion transportation bill. (Colorado Public Radio)
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis used his line-item veto to slash funding for Tampa transit and Complete Streets. (Tampa Bay Times)
- Milwaukee is the first city in the world to test tracking technology that keeps e-scooters off sidewalks. (WISN)
- Last month's municipal elections in London showed broad support among voters for programs that promote walking and biking. (The Guardian)
- The European Union created the first continent-wide bike master plan. (Eltis)
- Stop trying to make Copenhagen happen! It's not gonna happen. (Arch Daily)
Streetsblog
Friday’s Headlines Are Afraid for Their Lives
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday Video: Why Are America’s Roads and Bridges ‘Crumbling’?
Americas dangerous, crumbling roads are bridges didn't happen by accident — and it's not too late to fix them, the latest Streetcraft video says.
Friday’s Headlines Are For Local Control
It's playing out all over the country: A city wants to make a street safer for everyone, only for the state DOT to step in and say no. Learn more about the trend + more stories in today's headlines.
Talking Headways Podcast: Transit Themed Rock Music
Meet a band that writes exclusively about the car-free life on public transit. And it rocks!
Thursday’s Headlines Are Down on the Corner, Out in the Street
Bring a nickel, tap your feet as you avoid having to get into your car to drive out to the big-box strip mall.
Room for Improvement: What New York’s Subway System Can Learn from Cities Around the World
New York’s subway was once an international model of modernity. But it's not anymore.