- Two stories show how the auto industry manipulated the public into our current car-centric predicament: Governing writes about how late 19th century cyclists were the first Americans to advocate for better roads — a movement that was hijacked by drivers and became the basis for the interstate highway system. Meanwhile, the MIT Press Reader illuminates how business leaders reversed popular opinion that, in the automobile's early days, viewed the machines as dangerous threats.
- Speaking of which, there's a long history of bikes winding up in bodies of water (The Guardian). Maybe that's where all of Portland's missing Biketown bikes have disappeared to (Bike Portland).
- As the right-leaning City Journal notes, weaning ourselves off fossil fuels also means more mining for minerals to make batteries, which progressives also oppose because it damages the environment.
- Rail is not helping itself in the argument against EVs. By 2035, Amtrak hopes to reinstate several lines — and make them slower than they were in the 1940s and '50s. That's right, they'll be slower than they were more than 70 years ago. (Vice)
- Texas is skirting federal environmental laws by breaking its freeway projects up into chunks that are small enough not to be subject to intensive environmental review. (The Grist)
- Denver's new bus network will pull back from the suburbs to focus more on downtown. (Colorado Public Radio)
- Portland is considering becoming the first U.S. city to phase out diesel trucks. (Willamette Week)
- Cyclists rallied in Washington, D.C. to urge Mayor Muriel Bowser to do something about traffic deaths. (WJLA)
- A Los Angeles transportation official who's been an advocate for walking and biking is Seattle Mayor Brett Harrell's pick to lead SDOT. (The Urbanist)
- The Boston Globe wants to hear from readers whether they think the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority should be merged with MassDOT.
- Cedar Rapids is reinstating bus fares for many riders but lowering them from the pre-pandemic rate of $1.50 to $1. (The Gazette)
- Japanese triathlete Tsudoi Miyakazi was killed by a driver while training on her bike in France. (New York Post)
- Uber passengers apparently can't figure out how to open a Tesla's door. (Axios)
Streetsblog
Friday’s Headlines Look to the Past
By Blake Aued
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
The New Uber-Backed Car Insurance ‘Reform’ Push Is Actually A War On Crash Victims
New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to limit payouts to crash victims under the guise of "affordability" and bogus claims about "staged crashes."
Friday Video: Why Micromobility Sucks in So Many American Cities (But Not In Others)
And what we can do about it.
February 13, 2026
Friday’s Headlines Are Full of Hot Air
They done done it, as we say in the South: The Trump administration's official policy now is that climate change poses no threat to human health.
February 13, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Concrete Doesn’t Spend Money, People Do
Dr. Lawrence Frank shows how the decisions we make about the built environment are a symbol of why the world is so f'd up. A very special edition of Talking Headways.
February 12, 2026
Why Does Trump Wants To Punish Cities For Free Buses?
Hint: it's probably not to make anyone's transportation network better!
February 12, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Come Together
A large coalition is urging Congress to protect funding for active transportation.
February 12, 2026
