Thursday’s Headlines Breathe Freely
If every driver started buying electric vehicles powered by clean energy, it would prevent millions of respiratory illnesses. But the market has slowed down significantly.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EST on February 22, 2024
- Switching to electric vehicles, in combination with clean power sources, would prevent millions of illnesses among children, according to the American Lung Association (CNN). But the transition hasn’t been easy, and probably won’t be until EVs become more cost-competitive (Wired).
- Street grids are making a comeback after generations of planning that isolated people in favor of moving cars (The Atlantic). For example, in Cincinnati a grassroots group led by two former mayors wants to create a new street grid in conjunction with the Brent Spencer Bridge reconstruction to avoid past urban planning mistakes that divided Black neighborhoods. (BNN)
- Seven of the 10 most dangerous communities for biking in the U.S. are in Florida, according to a law firm’s analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. (The Guardian)
- Amtrak is proposing two new routes in the Pacific Northwest, one running from Seattle to Denver and the other from Seattle to Chicago. (The Urbanist)
- A commuter group is calling for the Chicago Transit Administration’s director to be fired due to the increasing unreliability of service. (Chicago Magazine)
- The Maryland Transit Administration received a $213 million federal grant to buy 52 new light rail cars. (CBS News)
- The Atlanta city council outlawed right turns on red, but only in certain neighborhoods. (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
- Speeding drivers keep crashing into buildings on Cincinnati’s Virginia Avenue, leading residents to call on the city to do something about it. (WCPO)
- WTKR delves into Norfolk’s Vision Zero plan as part of a series on rising pedestrian deaths.
- A new Bike Walk Macon report highlights the Georgia city’s initiative to close streets to cars at times to allow children to play. (41 NBC)
- Athens, Georgia, has a new plan to slow down drivers and prevent rising traffic deaths. (Flagpole)
- An Albany, New York startup is developing public e-bike and scooter chargers for bikeshares. (Times Union)
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:
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday Video: RIP, The D.C. Streetcar
Advocates are mourning the loss of the D.C. streetcar ... but they'e not entirely sad to see it die.
April 10, 2026
You’re Authorized to Read Friday’s Headlines
An important federal transportation funding bill is in the works. Here's what to look out for.
April 10, 2026
Trump Wants to Slash Federal Funding for Public Transit, Rail (Again)
The president’s proposed budget threatens transit projects across the country.
April 9, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Are the Taxman
Suspending gas taxes might be politically popular, but it doesn't save drivers money and takes away funding for infrastructure.
April 9, 2026
Michigan Bill Would Require Seniors to Regularly Re-Take Their Drivers’ Tests
...but would it really make roads safer?
April 8, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.