Maybe Monday’s Headlines Drive, Maybe They Walk
Nobody tells you where to go, baby. So what's the difference if a computer's behind the wheel or a person?
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on October 20, 2025
- There might be a million or more robotaxis on the road 10 years from now (Forbes). Uber is already paying drivers to train the AI that will eventually replace them (CNBC). Meanwhile, the Detroit News pushes back against the notion that self-driving cars are a threat to American car culture, which begs the question, why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars on them?
- The government shutdown is holding up negotiations on next year’s transportation funding bill. (Transport Topics)
- Closing a street to cars isn’t a yes-or-no question. There are a variety of options. (The Future of Where)
- Based in part on walkability, a WalletHub study named San Jose, Washington D.C., Oakland, Irvine, San Francisco, Honolulu and San Diego the greenest cities in the U.S. (Quartz)
- The City of Pittsburgh and Strip District business owners reached a compromise allowing a Penn Avenue road diet to move forward. (WTAE)
- A D.C. driver crashed into a Maryland birthday party, killing a woman and injuring 11 others, including eight children. (WUSA)
- Protected bike lanes are being built on the Bethesda road where a driver killed Maryland diplomat Sarah Langenkamp while cycling in 2022. (WTOP)
- A $21 million Complete Streets project on Atlanta’s Howell Mill Road is almost done. (WSB-TV)
- Augusta, Georgia, purchased five new electric buses. (Chronicle)
- Vision Zero projects in Austin have saved nearly half a billion dollars in terms of medical costs, emergency services, lost wages and other expenses, not to mention lives. (Community Impact)
- The Kansas City Star got a sneak preview of the Main Street streetcar extension.
- A European partnership developed the StreetForum guide for transforming car-dominated streets. (Spacescape)
- Bikeshares generate about $360 million annually for the European economy. (Cities Today)
- On a single day in September, Paris cyclists logged nearly 22,000 rides on a single route that opened just two years ago. (Momentum)
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
Talking Headways Podcast: Evolution, God and Transportation
Let's consider the totality of the human experience on this planet. Yes, it connects to livable streets, we promise. It's a very special episode of Talking Headways!
June 4, 2026
A Rolling Protest Helped Win Some of the Best Provisions in Congress’ New Infrastructure Bill
...and the advocates behind the ride are doing it again soon.
June 4, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Are Tired of Tires
Yale has found more evidence that tires cause air pollution as they wear.
June 4, 2026
Want to Win a Statewide Race? Embrace Transit Early and Often
Steyer got a nice media hit when he "rode the D." Too bad it happened after most voters cast their ballots.
June 3, 2026
Most World Cup Host Cities Are Pedestrianizing Streets This Summer – But Not Boston
In a few days, host cities across North America will welcome huge World Cup crowds by pedestrianizing major streets – and in some cases, entire neighborhoods – to keep traffic jams out of the fan parades and festivals associated with the international event.
June 3, 2026
