Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about Car Culture

Hummer Going the Way of the Dodo

By Ben Fried | Feb 24, 2010 | 8 Comments

The days are numbered for the military vehicle that carmakers turned into the bane of pedestrians, cyclists and planet Earth. GM has announced plans to wind down Hummer production after a deal to sell the brand to a Chinese manufacturer fell apart. According to the Times, the Chinese government wanted no part of Hummer because […]

U.S. DOT Offers Sample Distracted Driving Bill — With a Potential Loophole

By Elana Schor | Feb 22, 2010 | No Comments

The Obama administration today offered a one-page sample proposal to crack down on texting behind the wheel, aimed at helping guide states through the process of crafting their own distracted driving legislation. (Photo: brainlink.org) The sample bill text [PDF] was prepared by the U.S. DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which invited road safety groups […]

The Netroots, Brought to You By the Auto Lobby

By Brad Aaron | Jan 20, 2010 | 4 Comments

We’ve wrung hands before over the seeming disinterest of the "progressive" left in reducing automobile dependence. But it was still a shock to see Daily Kos enshrouded in advertising for Auto Innovation, a project of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. A self-described "leading advocacy group for the automobile industry on a range of public policy […]

Drivers, Pols Just Fine With Traffic Cams That Don’t Enforce the Law

By Brad Aaron | Jan 19, 2010 | 3 Comments

Judging from the amount of press it’s getting, hysteria over traffic enforcement cameras is reaching a fever pitch. According to USA Today, at least seven states have banned automated enforcement, with other states and municipalities considering restrictions of their own. On the other hand, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that drivers in Tennessee — […]

BMW: World’s Mega-Cities Need a Mega-Fast Car

By Brad Aaron | Jan 15, 2010 | 11 Comments

How perfect is this. The Granite concept car, the Chevy Aveo with a miniaturized SUV snout touted by GMC as a "tool for urban living," has taken top honors in its design category at the Detroit Auto Show. The foundation for BMW’s urban vehicle of the future. Photo: Wheels Alas, while the Granite will probably […]

NewSpeak From Detroit: GMC Pitches “Tool For Urban Living”

By Noah Kazis | Jan 12, 2010 | 11 Comments

Nothing represents city life like a miniaturized SUV. Image: NYT In a turn of phrase straight out of "1984," Detroit is touting a new concept car as a "tool for urban living." At this week’s Detroit auto show, the industry’s premier showcase, GMC revealed its Granite concept car. The truck and SUV manufacturer, which owes […]

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