- In addition to increasing emissions and being deadly for cyclists and pedestrians, bloated trucks and SUVs are also making traffic worse because they take up more space on the road. One study found that they reduce the capacity of freeway lanes by almost 10%. (CityLab)
- Electric truck manufacturer Rivian is starting a new micromobility company that will make smaller vehicles like e-bikes, e-scooters and golf carts. (Heatmap)
- The Trump administration's withholding of federal funds threatens half a billion dollars for Minnesota transportation projects (Reformer), as well as hundreds of millions in promised grants for Colorado transit (Sun).
- A Charlotte city council member — a fan of self-driving cars and Elon Musk's tunnel-digging Boring Co., and an opponent of expanding transit in the metro region — is resigning to take the No. 2 job at the Federal Transit Administration (WFAE). Tariq Bokhari's appointment comes as North Carolina Republicans are writing legislation for a new transit authority and a transportation sales tax referendum (Charlotte Observer).
- A plan before the Kansas City council would stop drastic service cuts by fulling funding transit for six months. However, it would also end the bus system's successful fare-free policy. (KCUR)
- A candidate for mayor of Omaha wants to halt a streetcar project, but doing so would cost the city $140 million in already signed contracts. (Flatwater Free Press)
- Portland will spend $200,000 to daylight 200 intersections over the next two years. (BikePortland)
- Connecticut legislators reintroduced a bill to prioritize transit-oriented developments for grant funding. (CT Mirror)
- Houston Mayor John Whitmire has been undermining his predecessor's Vision Zero initiatives, so it's no surprise that pedestrian deaths are on the upswing (KHOU). Recently cyclists held a demonstration demanding that Whitmire's administration replace bike lane barriers it had removed (Houston Public Media).
- Gary, Indiana is expanding its bus service and bikeshare. (Mass Transit)
- A Santa Clara judge ordered Valley Transportation Authority workers to end a 16-day strike. (San Jose Inside)
- Guerilla activists are installing benches at San Francisco bus stops that lack them. The benches are ADA compliant and cost about $70 to make. (SFGate)
- Riders are divided about the use of leaning rails instead of benches at New York City transit stops. (Fast Company)
- To limit pollution and traffic, Singapore requires would-be car owners to buy a permit that costs up to $84,000. (New York Times)
Today's Headlines
Friday’s Headlines Take Up Space
Car bloat leads to more congestion — just one more reason to bring back sedans and station wagons.
By Blake Aued
Car bloat is partially responsible for worsening traffic congestion.
Read More:
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Thursday’s Headlines Are Charged Up for the Fourth
The Republican megabill is bad for the electric vehicle industry, but it could be worse.
July 3, 2025
Why is the Secretary of Transportation Begging Americans to Take More Road Trips?
Instead of making America easier to see on all modes, the US Department of Transportation is encouraging U.S. residents to just get in their cars and drive.
July 3, 2025
Wednesday’s Headlines Are for the Children
From mothers with babies in strollers to preteens on bikes, much of the U.S. is hostile to families just trying to get around without a car.
July 2, 2025
Trump Priorities Spark Sudden Reorganization of Key Transportation Research Body
"It's [an] unprecedented overreach into science."
July 2, 2025
Trump’s DOT Secretary Wants You to Drive to Midwest Landmarks; Here Are Some Car-Free Alternatives
Planning a summer trip? Here are a few Amtrak-accessible destinations.
Ambulance Data Reveals That Boston Drivers Are 4 Times More Likely to Run Over Pedestrians From Black Neighborhoods
"Overall, residents of predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods are about four times more likely than residents of predominantly white neighborhoods to be struck as a pedestrian."
