- President Biden signed a 30-day transportation funding extension that easily passed Congress amidst gridlock on infrastructure (Newsweek). More transit, Amtrak and complete streets funding? Whoa, hold on there. Making sure highway construction doesn't halt? Sure, no problem!
- OPEC won't ramp up oil production despite President Biden's desire for cheaper gas (CNBC). Good, because our editor wasn't too happy about Biden's request.
- The pandemic bike boom led cities like New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. to build more protected bike lanes (Smart Cities Dive).
- Self-driving cars won't be fully autonomous and won't suddenly pop up everywhere, but progress has been made lately (Treehugger). On the other hand, beta testing on Tesla's Full Self-Driving feature isn't going too well (CarBuzz).
- Washington, D.C.'s new law requiring e-scooter riders to lock up the devices won't make streets much safer and could even push more people toward driving, which is far more dangerous. (CityLab)
- A new study found that transit service in Baltimore is "insufficient," especially for the many low-income and minority residents who lack access to cars and work jobs classified as "essential." (Washington Post)
- Residents of Portland's dangerous 82nd Avenue are hopeful the city will make much-needed changes now that it's taken over the road from the Oregon DOT, which they say neglected it in favor of freeways. (Oregonian)
- Vermont won't meet its ambitious climate goals unless it gets more people out of cars and onto transit fast, but that's hard to do in a largely rural state. (Digger)
- San Antonio needs to fund "transformative" projects with next year's $1.2 billion bond issue. (Rivard Report)
- The Memphis Zoo scrapped plans for a controversial parking deck in Overton Park, but still plans on expanding its parking lot. (Commercial Appeal)
- Two people were killed when gunfire erupted on an Arizona Amtrak train being searched by the DEA. (CBS News)
- A police chase in Houston that started with somebody doing donuts in a parking lot ended with three bystanders dead. (News Channel 21)
- Auto-centric Birmingham, UK, is creating a huge low-traffic neighborhood in the city center by closing streets to cars, building protected bike lanes and introducing zero-emissions buses. (The Guardian)
Streetsblog
Wednesday’s Headlines Are Getting Frustrated
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.
