Streetsblog

Wednesday’s Headlines Go for a Walk

Walking is getting more popular, and sidewalks are getting more crowded. Plus, the environmental benefits of protected bike lanes.

By Blake Aued

12:00 AM EDT on November 2, 2022

Hippo PX via Creative Commons

Studies show that people started walking more during the pandemic in many major cities, and advocates say that transportation leaders should respond by widening sidewalks. (Treehugger)
A study of Guangzhou, China, and Bogota found that protected bike lanes lowered carbon emissions by thousands of tons. (Transport Matters)
Protected bike lanes are the most cost-effective way to tackle the climate crisis and get polluting vehicles off the road. (Speed and Scale)
Bicycling magazine cites a Streetsblog MASS database in an article about the growing number of libraries that are lending bikes.
E-bikes provide fewer health benefits than pedal-powered models, but there are still good reasons for people who are older or less fit to buy them. (Montreal Gazette)
Austin’s Project Connect includes $300 million for residents in danger of being displaced if new transit projects raise property values. But the money might not be enough — because there are 135,000 families who could be affected. (KXAN)
Uber, the famous disrupter, seems to be maturing and working with cities and drivers rather than fighting them all the time. (The Guardian)
Few Memphis residents are aware that homeowners are responsible for fixing sidewalks on their property — until they get fined by the city. (WREG)
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to slow down a railway merger, while Republican challenger Darren Bailey is in favor of adding lanes to highways. (Daily Herald)
Florida drivers didn’t get much benefit from a gas-tax holiday, but of course experts expect prices to rise the full 25 cents now that it’s expired. (WFTV)
Portland’s TriMet is considering a fare hike even as activists call for eliminating fares entirely. (Willamette Week)
Republican candidates in Washington state are claiming that antifa will use light rail to do crimes. (Seattle Times)
Seattle should quickly paint bus-only lanes on every route to fight climate change. (The Urbanist)
It’s cute that Los Angeles-area high schools are letting seniors personalize their parking spaces, but it also underscores the city’s car culture. (L.A. Times)