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Wednesday’s Headlines Are On a Health Kick

The bipartisan infrastructure law's funding for bikes, walking and transit will make Americans healthier and improve access to health care. Plus more headlines.

By Blake Aued

12:00 AM EST on January 5, 2022

Wednesday’s Headlines Are On a Health Kick

Image: Wikimedia

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, transit agencies are refocusing resources on mainly minority and low-income riders who depend on the service, rather than white-collar suburbanites who might work from home indefinitely. (Wired)
A London study found that trips made by bike or on foot increased dramatically during the pandemic. (Traffic Technology Today)
Shared e-scooters may not be as environmentally friendly as you think. A Zurich study found that they mainly replaced cleaner modes like walking, biking and transit. (Futurity)
The infrastructure act’s funding for walking, biking and better land-use planning will improve the health of many Americans (Pew Trusts), and money to improve transit will also improve access to health care (Center for American Progress).
A “safe systems” approach to transportation safety uses street design and equitable enforcement to minimize deaths and injuries by minimizing driver error. (Smart Cities Dive)
Even though St. Paul has made great strides in bike-friendly infrastructure, the car is still king. (Streets.mn)
Car-centric Dallas is reconsidering its ridiculous 1960s-era minimum parking requirements — a spot for every 25 square feet of dance floor? — but it won’t transform all those asphalt lots overnight. (D Magazine)
Dallas is also starting to tackle a $2 billion backlog of sidewalk projects, although it’s only devoting $15 million over three years. (NBC DFW)
Santa Monica is offering low-cost housing to former residents who were displaced by freeway construction who want to return to the California city. (Los Angeles Times)
Atlanta’s transit agency is using a special fund to preserve existing affordable housing near transit lines. (Saporta Report)
The St. Louis Loop Trolley was more of a tourist attraction than actual transit, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea to restart it. (NextSTL)
Charlotte’s new Gold Line streetcar will remain fare-free for the time being as it struggles with a driver shortage and reliability issues. (WBTV)
A Colorado Springs plan calls for removing Platte Avenue car lanes to make room for bikes and buses. (Gazette)
A massive snowstorm trapped Virginia motorists (Associated Press) and riders (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) for hours.
In related news, here’s a reminder that Washington, D.C. residents have eight hours to clear the sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses. (DCist)

Blake Aued

Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.

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