Each year, pollution from cars, trucks and other vehicles cuts short an estimated 58,000 lives, and increases the risk of lung cancer, stroke and heart disease. Cars are much safer than they used to be, but motor vehicle crashes still kill an estimated 40,000 Americans each year. And, in a conclusion that should shock nobody, one study found the morning commute to be the least favorite part of the day for many Americans. Transportation is also now America’s number one source of carbon pollution, with greenhouse emissions from cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles surpassing every other source.
Getting from “A to B” could be much healthier, safer and more pleasant — and better for our planet — if it was easier to walk, bike, take transit or use an electric vehicle. To build a 21st century transportation system, we’re urging Congress and the Biden administration to:
- Help communities make their streets safer for walking and biking
- Replace dirty diesel buses with clean, electric school and transit buses
- Fund a national network of electric vehicle charging stations
- Fix existing roads, bridges and transit systems instead of building new highways
- Shift funding from highways to transit
Explore how we can transform transportation.