The Monday Roundup: Marketing madness, truck bloat fee, new bike book, and more

Welcome back from the long weekend.

Quick note: I’m in California visiting family at the moment and only working very sparingly, so things might be a bit quieter around here until I return Friday morning. Lisa Caballero and Taylor Griggs will hold down the fort. Have a great Pedalpalooza kickoff and I’m sorry to miss it this year!

Here are the most notable items our writers and readers came across in the past seven eight days…

Doctors’ orders: A medical student at George Washington University makes the case that D.C. has the money and need to vastly improve cycling by creating a network of protected lanes and that the city’s physicians should organize a campaign to convince lawmakers to make it happen.

Marketing madness: Former BikePortland Podcast guest Tom Flood’s latest piece for Streetsblog eviscerates an new commercial for a massive Toyota truck that’s being sold as a stylish way to grab a quick cup of cappuccino.

New Yorker goes on a ride: The venerable publication dives into bicycle history inspired by Jody Rosen’s new book, “Two Wheels Good: The History and Mystery of the Bicycle” which they say is a “set of quirky and kaleidoscopic stories.” (The book also has some fun Portland bits in the culture chapter!)

L.A. killed a freeway: The Los Angeles regional transportation authority voted to end a $6 billion plan to widen the 710 freeway after decades of planning after officials decided, “they must find a new way to lessen traffic without adding lanes.”

Denver, too: And transportation officials in Denver, Colorado have also given up on a major freeway project because it would cost too much and it’s simply not worth it.

Subsidies for cargo bikes: In Italy, business owners can receive a government subsidy of up to 30% toward the price of a cargo bike (up to $2,100).

Automotive media loves e-cars: Motor Trend, “hasn’t been taken over by a bunch of car-hating eco-weenies” say editors of the popular magazine, in a piece explaining why they are 100% on board with the push toward electric cars.

Those other car emissions: Europe will start to regulate not just engine exhaust emissions from cars but another pernicious driving byproduct: tiny particles of toxic brake dust.

Truck bloat fee: Municipal lawmakers in Washington D.C. want to charge much higher registration fees for owners of large pickups and SUVs in a move aimed at tamping down enthusiasm for the absurdly large vehicles.

Thanks to everyone who sent us links this week!