Streetsblog
Wednesday’s Headlines Are Still Rolling in Infrastructure Takes
By Blake Aued
- The newly passed infrastructure bill will change the way transportation funds are distributed by creating more competitive grant programs in lieu of traditional formulas (Wall Street Journal; subscription required). That's a significant win for state and local governments (Route Fifty).
- The New York Times reminds us that all the political jockeying over what to keep in or leave out of the infrastructure bill had real-world consequences.
- A survey of Europeans found that most see climate change as the biggest crisis they face, but already think they're doing enough or feel hamstrung by a lack of information of money to do more. In particular, only 25 percent favored using transit over cars. (The Guardian)
- Sharrows are not just worthless, they actually make streets more dangerous for cyclists. (Medium)
- Whether it's seat belts or masks, those opposed to regulation have weaponized the false idea that safety measures do more harm than good by encouraging risky behaviors. (Slate)
- Sen. Ted Cruz took a break from flaming Big Bird to criticize Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for supposedly saying "roads are racist." Problem is, Buttigieg was right: Some freeways really were designed to isolate or divide Black neighborhoods. (MSNBC)
- Black bike riders are more likely to be ticketed in areas with less bike infrastructure, compounding the effects of biased policing. (Better Bike Share)
- Uber all but killed off taxis, and now it's considering dispatching a fleet of yellow cabs of its own. (New York Post)
- Here's how NYC Mayor-elect Eric Adams can turn around the city's slow and unreliable bus service. (Transit Center)
- Northeast Ohio is making progress on cycling infrastructure. (Crain's Cleveland Business; subscription required)
- Madison's new bus rapid transit line promises faster service with fewer transfers on high-ridership routes, but the system will also reach fewer people. (Wisconsin State Journal)
- Norfolk reduced speed limits on neighborhood streets to 20 miles per hour. (WTKR)
- An El Paso city council candidate is restoring a 1937 streetcar. (El Paso Times)
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