Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Streetsblog

Monday’s Headlines Have a License to Kill

    • A New York Times deep dive shows how often traffic stops for minor offenses can turn deadly. Police have killed more than 400 unarmed drivers over the past five years, often simply for "contempt of cop." They almost always get away with it, although cities pay out millions in wrongful death lawsuits. One reason why is that officers' training overemphasizes the danger of traffic stops.
    • More than 20,000 people died in car crashes in the first half of 2021, an 18% increase, the largest six-month spike ever recorded by the U.S. DOT. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called it a "crisis."
    • House Democrats' latest version of the reconciliation bill tackling climate change includes $10 billion for high-speed rail, $10 billion for transit-oriented development and $4 billion for complete streets (Bloomberg). It also includes a fee on oil and gas producers that emit the greenhouse gas methane (Reuters).
    • Meanwhile, with the bipartisan infrastructure bill still awaiting a House vote, lawmakers passed another short-term transportation funding bill. (The Hill)
    • A Consumer Reports investigation found that U.S. auto loan debt has reached a record $1.4 trillion. Even drivers with good credit are being pushed into subprime loans, and one in four are spending more on car payments than they can afford.
    • The head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Elon Musk fans are attacking a newly appointed advisor who's been critical of Tesla deliberately to distract from an investigation into the company's self-driving technology. (CNN)
    • Building out the charging infrastructure necessary for a widespread switch to electric vehicles is harder than you think. (Slate)
    • The Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority is planning a $300 million bus rapid transit project in suburban Clayton County. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
    • A Denver developer who specialized in dense, relatively affordable housing near transit now says he's switching to million-dollar homes because there are too many hoops to jump through. (Denverite)
    • The Tucson streetcar has experienced record ridership since going fare-free during the pandemic. (KOLD)
    • Buffalo transit advocates continue to push for light rail, although the Federal Transit Administration wants the city to consider expanding bus service instead. (WBFO)
    • A Little Rock regional planning group is hiring a transit coordinator. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

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.

July 26, 2024

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.

July 25, 2024
See all posts