Streetsblog

Money, That’s What Friday’s Headlines Want

Several of today's stories emphasize the need for government involvement to solve transportation-related challenges like climate change.

By Blake Aued

12:00 AM EDT on March 25, 2022

Money, That’s What Friday’s Headlines Want

Source: Shutterstock

Transportation is a low-margin, often unprofitable business or service that will require more government investment to become sustainable. (Newsweek)
People moved out of the densest parts of cities to more suburban areas during the first year of the pandemic, but that trend seems to be reversing. (Pew Trusts)
The Biden administration is drafting an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to boost the mining of minerals needed to produce batteries for electric vehicles. (The Intercept)
A Center for American Progress report lays out how cities and states can use federal infrastructure funding to achieve climate goals.
The cost burden of switching to EVs is likely to fall on California’s underpaid Uber and Lyft drivers, not the companies themselves. (Wired)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to send every driver in the state a $400 rebate to offset high gas prices, regardless of their income. Meanwhile, non-car owners would get nothing except perhaps free or reduced transit fare for three months. (Los Angeles Times)
The pandemic continues to shape transit ridership in Seattle, with some downtown white-collar workers returning on hybrid schedules but many opting to drive when they do go to the office. (Seattle Times)
Salt makes icy roads safer but also pollutes waterways, and one Minnesota environmentalist is pushing to reduce salt use through better application techniques. (Grist)
Philadelphia has entered talks with disabled residents to settle a 2019 lawsuit over inaccessible sidewalks. (WHYY)
It will take “many years” to fix all of Birmingham’s crumbling sidewalks. (CBS 42)
The Atlanta City Council adopted legislation urging police to crack down on vehicles parked in bike lanes. (Reporter Newspapers)
A lack of public transportation in Northern England costs billions of pounds in productivity. (Centre for Cities)
Barcelona’s pedestrian-first “superblocks” can be a model for other cities, especially those that are dense and have a proper street grid. (Fast Company)
The UN adopted a non-binding resolution pushing bikes as a solution to climate change. (Eltis)
For one Melbourne family, a cargo e-bike serves as their minivan. (The Driven)
Eric Trump tried to ridicule President Biden for riding a bike during the Ukraine crisis, and of course Twitter immediately pounced. (Indy 100)