Houston’s progress toward reducing car dependency has stalled since Mayor John Whitmire took office, impacting transit and bike infrastructure projects.
Sarah Raza reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Houston halted bike infrastructure projects and delayed a $7.5 billion public transit expansion after Mayor John Whitmire’s inauguration.
- Federal funds are available for cities to diversify transit, but Houston’s leadership now focuses on road repairs over alternatives to cars.
- Advocates worry this shift threatens Houston's climate goals and limits transportation options for vulnerable communities.
Key quote:
“We have choices in all other parts of our lives, but when it comes to transportation, we only have one option.”
— Joe Cutrufo, cycling advocate
Why this matters:
Houston's transportation decisions reflect broader national challenges in reducing car dependency. Failure to diversify transit options could hinder efforts to address climate change and public health.
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