Thursday’s Headlines Are Tearing it All Down
EVs are dangerous to cyclists and pedestrians and maybe not all that great for the planet. And a driverless car goes all "Midnight Run."
By
Blake Aued
12:00 AM EDT on April 14, 2022
- More evidence that, while electric vehicles may be better for the planet, their heavy batteries make them more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians (Bloomberg). And how beneficial for the environment are they, anyway? One study found that EVs might actually increase emissions in the long run, because drivers who qualify for tax credits don’t drive them enough to offset the damage of manufacturing them (Streetsblog USA).
- The 80-year-old promise of a future utopia dependent on cars will never arrive. (Rice-Kinder Institute)
- Distracted driving is making our roads more dangerous. (Planetizen)
- Tearing down urban freeways is one thing, but what do cities replace them with? If it’s a six-lane surface road, like I-375’s replacement in Detroit, how much good does it do? (Fast Company)
- Uber and Lyft surge pricing drastically raised the cost of a ride in the aftermath of a mass shooting on the New York City subway. The companies say they’re offering refunds. (CBS News)
- Everything is bigger in Texas, and that goes for Houston’s highways, too. (U.S. PIRG)
- The L.A. Metro is using traffic cameras to catch drivers blocking bus lanes, deciding that the right of bus riders to get where they’re going is more important than the privacy of people who break the law. (Governing)
- Philadelphia officials are pushing the Pennsylvania legislature to make it easier to build protected bike lanes. (WHYY)
- Boise’s bike-share program fizzled out during the pandemic but is now returning. (Idaho Statesman)
- Dayton is doubling its e-bike inventory. (Daily News)
- One of GM Cruise’s autonomous Chevy Bolts, well, bolted from a San Francisco cop who pulled over the driverless car (Electrek). The jury is out on whether this makes AI’s smarter or dumber than previously thought.
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
Talking Headways Podcast: People Based Accessibility
Maps aren't just about Point A and Point B, but how you get there.
September 24, 2026
Is It Time for the Era of the ‘Bike-Car’?
A quirky "velomobile" company is plotting a comeback. Will Americans buy it?
September 24, 2026
Domo Arigato, Thursday’s Headlines
Many of the headlines are about Mr. Roboto driving taxis.
September 24, 2026
Wednesday’s Headlines Are in the Eye of the Beholder
Sen. Joni Ernst's definition of a "boondoggle" is not the same as Streetsblog's. Plus, the bike lane culture war rages on.
September 23, 2026
‘Diversity’ in Transportation Planning is Under Attack — But These Experts Say It’s More Important Now Than Ever
Minority-owned planning firms are as essential as they ever were, these four top experts argue — no matter what the White House says.
September 23, 2026
