Monday’s Headlines: Why Is Vision Zero Failing?
If there really is a war on cars, the drivers are winning, according to a Washington Post investigation.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EST on December 8, 2025
- In all but one of 27 U.S. cities examined by the Washington Post, traffic deaths stayed the same or rose after adopting Vision Zero policies. In most cases, the programs were hamstrung by driver backlash and a lack of funding.
- Businesses, labor and local governments are united in efforts to protect transit funding as Congress writes a new transportation funding bill. (Bloomberg; paywall)
- A spike in injuries caused by “e-bikes” is actually driven by electric motorcycles or mopeds known “e-motos”, which are a whole different beast, and it’s important for policymakers to know the difference. (Velo)
- Another study confirms that bike lanes don’t slow down emergency vehicles. (Momentum)
- Waste from mining lithium for electric vehicle batteries could be used to make low-carbon concrete. (The Conversation)
- The Houston Chronicle editorial board calls out Mayor John Whitmire for reversing safety improvements on the city’s already dangerous roads.
- Oklahoma City could make it streetcar fare-free permanently. (Oklahoman)
- San Antonio named a new 11-member pedestrian and transportation safety commission. (KSAT)
- Chatham County is getting closer to a resolution on oversight of Savannah’s transit service. (WTOC)
- The Statesman-Journal lists Oregon’s 18 most scenic bike routes.
- Honda launched an electric quadricycle that fits in a bike lane for last-mile deliveries. (Car and Driver)
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 Video: Inside the Global Far-Right Push To Rip Out Bike Lanes
Toronto might be in the center of the fight to resist bike lane teardown today. But if some far-right politicians have their way, this fight won't be the last.
October 23, 2026
Friday’s Headlines Shoot Themselves in the Foot
Gas taxes pay for transit, too, so what happens when politicians pander to voters, and the highway trust fund runs dry?
October 23, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: A More Humanized Experience in Honolulu
If we look transit just as a distance issue, but as a time issue, performance should be discussed as one big whole.
October 22, 2026
Our Best Bet To Confront Climate Change in the Trump Era? Build More Apartments
Most climate strategies are hamstrung by Washington and culture wars across the country. But zoning reform may be the exception.
October 22, 2026
What ‘Flying Cars’ Could Mean For US Car Culture
Would fleets of flying cars be a dystopian nightmare, or a chance to create more walkable cities on the ground?
October 22, 2026