- As you've probably heard, the infrastructure bill finally passed. Here's what's in it (Associated Press). For now, most of the coverage is of the "what it means politically" variety. Streetsblog editor-in-chief Gersh Kuntzman has a further breakdown. And Forbes highlights the inclusion of transponder beacons that can help drivers avoid collisions with cyclists, but also carry a lot of ethical questions about what happens if someone is walking or riding a bike without a smartphone.
- A bipartisan bill would give cities greater leeway to spend American Rescue Plan funds on infrastructure. (City Lab)
- Countries around the world are using fuzzy math to make it seem like they're on track to reach their climate goals. (Washington Post)
- Also from the Post: No one (except Streetsblog) wants to talk about the environmental cost of mining for minerals to produce electric vehicles' batteries.
- Speeding drivers in the U.S. kill 10,000 people a year, but we accept that as the norm. (Fortune)
- No one is entitled to public parking. (Real Change News)
- Technology could use the kinetic energy from walking on sidewalks to generate electricity. (CNET)
- Boston elected Michelle Wu as America's first climate-change mayor. (Curbed)
- Los Angeles sheriff's deputies are stopping cyclists and using minor offenses as an excuse to search them, primarily Latinos. (L.A. Times)
- Seattle's Sound Transit received $273 million in COVID-19 grants from the Federal Transit Administration. (Mass Transit)
- Portland's pandemic parklets program has businesses singing a different tune about parking. (Bike Portland)
- Richmond's transit agency is fare-free and considering expansion. (Richmond Magazine)
- Toledo buses now have a dedicated sales tax, instead of relying on property tax revenue. (Blade)
- The wealthy Atlanta neighborhood of Buckhead's move to secede from the city has ramifications for completing the Beltline. (Saporta Report)
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution pronounced the Atlanta Braves' new suburban stadium a parking success, despite the fact that, as Darin Givens pointed out on Twitter, it's an asphalt hellscape with no access to transit.
- This Braves fan — yes, the chop is awful (Bitter Southerner) — is, however, happy to report that Jorge "Solar Power" Soler won Game 6 by hitting a home run over the fake train tracks at Minute Maid Park (Fansided).
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday’s Headlines Back the Bikes
Setting aside the fact that bike lanes don't make traffic worse, resisting bikelash on busy roads is essential to creating a useable network.
April 18, 2025
Does Driver’s Ed Really Make Roads Safer?
States like Georgia are taking a critical look at their drivers education programs — but some say the whole concept of driver's ed deserves scrutiny.
April 18, 2025
Friday Video: Ken Jennings Has a Web Series About Transit!
Jeopardy's host and most famous player is a big fan of the bus — and he's helping educate his fellow Washingtonians about why they should be, too.
Talking Headways Podcast: The Pacific Circuit
Alexis Madrigal connects containerization to globalization and its direct impacts on one Oakland neighborhood.
Thursday’s Headlines Wonder Why
Why are drivers killing so many pedestrians? Governing magazine has a number of familiar theories.
April 17, 2025
