Monday’s Headlines on MLK Day
The U.S. needs a new place-based transportation policy focusing on sustainability and climate change. (Urban Institute) Melting permafrost will damage thousands of miles of roads. (Jalopnik) Shaming drivers is pointless as long as streets are dangerous for biking and carmakers keep selling ever-larger SUVs. (Treehugger) Bike mechanics are petitioning Walmart to stop selling crappy bikes … Continued
By
Blake Aued
12:00 AM EST on January 17, 2022
- The U.S. needs a new place-based transportation policy focusing on sustainability and climate change. (Urban Institute)
- Melting permafrost will damage thousands of miles of roads. (Jalopnik)
- Shaming drivers is pointless as long as streets are dangerous for biking and carmakers keep selling ever-larger SUVs. (Treehugger)
- Bike mechanics are petitioning Walmart to stop selling crappy bikes that break quickly and can’t be repaired. (Vice)
- The White House is backing a ride-sharing oversight bill introduced by Rep. Chris Smith after a fake Uber driver killed a New Jersey woman. (NJ.com)
- Vision Zero programs often don’t work because cities implement small recommendations and don’t do the big, expensive ones. (D Magazine)
- Denver’s Regional Transportation District is proposing a major overhaul of bus routes that will cut service to the suburbs while refocusing on the riders who stuck with transit during the pandemic. (Colorado Public Radio)
- Closed to traffic during the pandemic, Ocean Drive in Miami Beach is reopening to cars, but with new two-way bike lanes and a block that will remain pedestrian only. (City Lab)
- Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority CEO Jeffrey Parker has died in an apparent suicide, stepping in front a train Friday night. (Saporta Report)
- Utah is building a 15-minute city from scratch. (Streetsblog USA)
- An Illinois bill would allow smaller cities outside of Chicago to levy a gas tax for the first time. (WREX)
- San Francisco lowered speed limits on parts of seven streets to 20 miles per hour. (NBC Bay Area)
- Milan is building a 466-mile network of protected bike lanes. (City Lab)
- A citizen-drive plan in Berlin would create the largest car-free zone in the world. (Fast Company)
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.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday Video: What ‘A Week Without Driving’ Costs
...and what you could get back in exchange, at least if you lived in a city with good mobility alternatives.
September 25, 2026
The Interstates Did Not Need Villains; They Had Criteria
"Ask what your region's decision rule rewards. Then ask what it has no way to count."
September 25, 2026
Friday’s Headlines Are Shockingly Expensive
The 10 most costly highway projects in the U.S. all cost over half a billion dollars per mile.
September 25, 2026
Advocates Skeptical About Waymo’s ‘Transit Rewards’ Program
It could do some good for regional rail, but advocates stress this isn't a substitute for good bus service
September 24, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: People Based Accessibility
Maps aren't just about Point A and Point B, but how you get there.
September 24, 2026
