Thursday’s Headlines See Mixed Results
It's easier to commit to Vision Zero as a concept than it is to actually implement its principles.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on July 24, 2025
- While traffic deaths fell four percent nationwide last year, in some cities they’re still trending upward, including Los Angeles, Charlotte and Washington, D.C. Due to inertia and political backlash, those cities are still prioritizing vehicles over safety. (American City & County). The good news is that D.C. fatalities are falling so far this year (WTOP).
- A bipartisan bill sponsored by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) would instruct the U.S. DOT to prioritize transit projects that incorporate housing. (Maui Now)
- Giving pedestrians a seven-second head start reduces deaths at crosswalks by 33 percent. (U.S. News & World Report)
- Trucks cause a disproportionate amount of damage to roads, so a truck mileage tax would be a fairer way to pay for maintenance. (Information Technology & Innovation Foundation)
- Oregon Gov. Tina Kopek is calling a special session to pass a transportation funding bill after the state legislature failed to do so last month. (Oregonian)
- The Twin Cities Met Council is considering making the Blue Line bus rapid transit rather than light rail. (KSTP)
- If SEPTA service cuts take effect Aug. 24, they’ll make it much harder for Philadelphia K-12 students to get to and from school. (WHYY)
- Salt Lake City remains heavily dependent on cars (Axios), but maybe four new bike projects nearing completion will help change that (Salt Lake Tribune).
- Cleveland received a federal grant to plan a lakefront multimodal hub. (NEOtrans blog)
- The Spokesman-Review profiled the new head of Spokane Transit.
- About 1,600 people are expected to arrive at this weekend’s Newport Folk Festival by bike. (eco RI)
- Pee-Wee Herman’s famous red bicycle will be put on display at the Alamo museum in San Antonio. (New York Post)
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:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday’s Headlines Got Charlie Brown Again
Why won't Democrats punt and then try a field goal if and when they take more power next year?
August 14, 2026
Friday Video: How Red Curbs and Bike Racks Can Save Lives
What is daylighting, and how can cities use it to increase street safety?
August 14, 2026
Trump’s New ‘Roadway Safety Strategy’ Leaves Out The Good Parts
The Trump administration’s new blueprint for improving the nation’s poor road-safety record ignores well-established safety measures and leaves vulnerable road users completely out of the picture — a roadmap that advocates said would not change the ongoing road death crisis that is increasingly unique to the United States.
August 14, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: The Bikeable Forest Of Texas (Yes, Texas!)
Who knew that there was a town in Texas that even the Dutch would love?
August 13, 2026
Waymo Speaks: We Have More In Common With Urbanists Than You Might Think
The robo-taxi company wants to push back on some recent coverage, so let's have it.
August 13, 2026
