Safety

Friday’s Headlines Call a Car a Car

Cars are too expensive, but cheaper "cars" aren't the answer.

By Blake Aued

12:36 AM EDT on July 10, 2026

Not everybody lives in Peachtree City. Tony Bernard

The cost of a new car continues to rise, with the average payment hitting $777 a month. Consumers are increasingly signing seven- and eight-year loans that leave them in danger of default or going underwater. (Jalopnik; Auto News)
- For that reason, it might sound appealing that Fiat is bringing the tiny $14,000 Topolino to the U.S. (Autoblog), but this vehicle sounds more like a glorified golf cart than anything that could reasonably replace a car (USA Today). You’d be better off getting a cargo e-bike.
CityNerd explains why American streets are so much more dangerous than those in other developed nations. (YouTube)
Police should focus on dangerous traffic infractions, like DUIs and speeding, not minor ones like broken taillights that have little correlation with crashes but are sometimes used as pretexts for racially biased stops, according to the Vision Zero Network.
Air quality is terrible in many suburbs, but the problem can be fixed. (The Transit Brief)
Protected bike lanes are the only thing that will encourage people to bike more. (Streetsblog SF)
Nashville has started construction on its first Complete Streets project under Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s Choose How You Move program. (WKRN)
Atlanta Uber drivers report that their income’s been cut in half since robotaxis came to town. (Fox 5)
The Kansas City streetcar hit record ridership during the World Cup, but the stress has led employees to unionize because pay and staffing haven’t kept up. (KCUR)
Oregon lawmakers are making progress on a new transportation funding plan for 2027 after the last one went down in flames. (KATU)
A MinnPost contributor says St. Paul needs more pedestrian-friendly events to activate the streets.
Charlotte is considering restrictions on e-bikes because teenage boys ruin it for everyone. (WFAE)
A Danville, Virginia city council member’s remarkably high waistline helped him go viral on TikTok and Instagram, and spread the word about pedestrian safety. (WDBJ)
Similarly, the Citi Bike Boyz’ BMX-style bikeshare exploits helped turned them into an internet sensation. (Momentum Mag)

Blake Aued

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.

Safety | Today's Headlines

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