Monday’s Headlines Need Our Own Lobbyists

A U.S. DOT regulation that could have saved thousands of cyclist and pedestrians' lives was removed after officials let trucking lobbyists see the study in advance, according to a ProPublica investigation.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on June 26, 2023

A major safety bill moving through the senate right now would mandate the installation of automatic emergency braking system on big rigs, but not on smaller box trucks like these — much less light trucks and cars. Image:

|Penske via CC

The U.S. DOT let trucking industry lobbyists kill a requirement for trucks to have side guards that would prevent cyclists and pedestrians from sliding underneath them and being crushed by their wheels. (ProPublica)
Parking reform is gaining traction nationwide, mainly in cities, but where it really needs to happen is the suburbs. (CNU Public Square)
Several cities are considering banning new drive-through restaurants because they cause congestion and discourage walking. (CNN)
As the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority breaks ground on the new Summerhill bus rapid transit line, many city officials and transit advocates are concerned that the agency is scaling back or delaying other projects. (AJC)
MARTA has chosen a company to design the Beltline streetcar extension. (Urbanize Atlanta)
In addition to seeking help from federal, state and local governments to fill a projected $750 million deficit, raising fares is also an option for the D.C. Metro. (Washington Post)
Most New Jersey residents oppose service cuts or fare hikes and think the state should provide more funding for transit. (NJ.com)
The L.A. Metro's new fare structure caps fares at $5 a day. (Time Out)
Pittsburgh received a $150 million federal grant for a new BRT line. (Intelligent Transport)
Conversations are starting in Cincinnati about expanding the streetcar or creating a whole new loop. (Fox 19)
A Cincinnati councilman thinks he found a way around the Ohio government's limitations on lowering speed limits. (Ideastream)
Seattle transit advocates are fighting to save a proposed station along the Ballard Link light rail line. (The Urbanist)
Tired of the city's inaction on speeding drivers, Berkeley residents are constructing their own barriers to close streets off to cars. (Daily Californian)
A monthly Missoula event aims to get women out on their bikes. (KPAX)