Road safety advocates say the 2021 infrastructure bill doesn’t fully commit to its stated goals to help cities eliminate pedestrian and cyclist deaths.

Funding safety improvements via the 2021 infrastructure law won’t be enough to eliminate road deaths in the United States, say experts who are urging policymakers to take more drastic action. As Maylin Tu writes in Smart Cities Dive, “According to Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, government leaders must champion public transit and increase safety for all road users, especially the most vulnerable.”
Advocates point out that the infrastructure law “perpetuates our nation’s bias for cars” and allocates insufficient funding to pedestrian and bike safety efforts. For example, states are only required to spend part of their Highway Safety Improvement Program on safety improvements if pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities make up 15 percent or more of traffic fatalities.
“But all the rest of their money can go to create more problems that need to be fixed by these little bitty programs in the future,” says Beth Osborne, vice president for transportation and thriving communities at Smart Growth America. And while federal agencies are starting to recognize the increased risks to pedestrians posed by larger vehicles, car safety testing still largely focuses on the safety of the people inside the car.
FULL STORY: Getting to zero traffic fatalities will take more than infrastructure funds, experts say

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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