- The national epidemic of traffic deaths is falling most heavily on Black and low-income Americans, partly because cities and states systematically built high-speed roadways through their neighborhoods. (New York Times)
- E-bike and e-scooter use is rebounding after a pandemic decline, according to an industry study (Smart Cities Dive). In related news, scooter-share Bird is expanding to Minneapolis, San Diego, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis and other cities, with an emphasis on college towns as fall semester starts (Mass Transit).
- Intercity bus travel is also starting to creep back up after dropping by half during the pandemic. (Smart Cities Dive)
- New tech startups want to work with cities to help them managing increasing competition for curb space. (NYT)
- Five U.S. cities that participated in the Final Mile program — Austin, Denver, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Providence — built 335 miles of bike lanes in two years (Next City, Streetsblog USA). Impressive, but Paris is the GOAT of new bike-lane building (Pop Up City).
- The Los Angeles city council refused to pass a measure requiring the installation of bike and bus lanes whenever the city does road work, instead putting the issue before voters in 2024. (L.A. Times)
- A new coalition has formed to fight the Texas DOT's planned widening of a downtown Dallas interstate, as past groups that initiated the effort in 2013 have faded away. (D Magazine)
- Washington, D.C. regional planners have a goal of reducing car and truck emissions by 80 percent but still want to widen freeways. (Virginia Mercury)
- Experts say Wisconsin cities should lower speed limits and redesign streets after pedestrian deaths rose 8 percent in 2021. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
- Entitled Oakland drivers think they have a right to park on the sidewalk. (Oaklandside)
- TikTok says drivers have been parking wrong this whole time. (Yahoo! News)
Streetsblog
Are Friday’s Headlines Getting Across?
By Blake Aued
Dear traffic engineers: Stop making roads like this. Photo: Google Maps
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday Video: Are We All Living in a ‘Carspiracy’?
How does "car-brain" shape the way we think about the world — even in relatively bike-friendly countries like the U.K.?
July 26, 2024
Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike
Bikeshares, and e-bikes and scooters generally, are becoming more popular. That's led to more injuries, highlighting the need for better infrastructure.
July 26, 2024
What the Heck is Going on With the California E-Bike Incentive Program?
The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague.
Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?
Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.
July 25, 2024
The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes
A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.
