Thursday’s Headlines Are Safer Than Streets
Smart Growth America's latest Deadly by Design report breaks down the growing epidemic of pedestrian deaths in the U.S.
By
Blake Aued
12:00 AM EDT on July 14, 2022
- Drivers killed more than 6,500 pedestrians in 2020, a 4.5 percent increase over 2019, a disproportionate number of whom were Black, Native American and/or low-income, according to Smart Growth America’s latest Deadly by Design report (ABC News, Streetsblog USA). New Mexico displaced Florida as the most dangerous state to walk in, but the Sunshine State still had seven of the 20 deadliest cities. (Route Fifty)
- It’s a tough needle to thread, but progressive cities need to do something about the perception of crime and anti-social behavior on transit if ridership is going to rebound. The question is how to address it without being too heavy-handed. (Governing)
- An under-covered aspect of the Uber leaks exposing the company’s bare-knuckled tactics is the damage its business model has done to public transportation and the environment (Streetsblog USA). Not to mention that Uber and Lyft have largely left disabled passengers behind (The Verge).
- Shocker: The road-building lobby is opposed to the Biden administration’s proposed rule on tracking tailpipe emissions. (Freight Waves)
- The Texas DOT is poised to spend a record $85 billion building roads over the next decade. (Houston Chronicle)
- The Seattle city council voted to send Sound Transit recommendations on the city’s largest ever light-rail expansion. (KING5)
- Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey shocked even fellow Republicans when he rejected Maricopa County’s request to let metro Phoenix voters decide whether to extend a half-cent sales tax for transportation. The veto jeopardizes not just future transit projects, but road construction as well. (Axios)
- As it updates its 11-year-old bike plan, Dallas residents have a chance to tell the city that cycling is unsafe. (D Magazine)
- Portland and Seattle are partnering on a “Slow the Flock Down” ad campaign aimed at speeding drivers. (Willamette Week)
- Pittsburgh resident Monica Garrison started a group to inspire fellow Black women to ride bikes. (Yale Climate Connections)
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’s Headlines Got Charlie Brown Again
Why won't Democrats punt and then try a field goal if and when they take more power next year?
August 14, 2026
Friday Video: How Red Curbs and Bike Racks Can Save Lives
What is daylighting, and how can cities use it to increase street safety?
August 14, 2026
Trump’s New ‘Roadway Safety Strategy’ Leaves Out The Good Parts
The Trump administration’s new blueprint for improving the nation’s poor road-safety record ignores well-established safety measures and leaves vulnerable road users completely out of the picture — a roadmap that advocates said would not change the ongoing road death crisis that is increasingly unique to the United States.
August 14, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: The Bikeable Forest Of Texas (Yes, Texas!)
Who knew that there was a town in Texas that even the Dutch would love?
August 13, 2026
Waymo Speaks: We Have More In Common With Urbanists Than You Might Think
The robo-taxi company wants to push back on some recent coverage, so let's have it.
August 13, 2026
