Streetsblog USA (Opinion)
U.S. center-left, transportation-reform advocacy
Background
Streetsblog launched in 2006 as a New York City site started by Aaron Naparstek. Mark Gorton, a transportation advocate and founder of LimeWire, was its first funder. It grew into a network of regional sites (such as New York City, Chicago, California and San Francisco) alongside the national Streetsblog USA, all under Open Plans, Inc., which holds the Streetsblog trademark. Its funding comes from foundation grants, sponsorships and advertising, and reader donations, and the regional sites list their own funders. The outlet openly takes the side of its cause, which is ending car dependence and promoting safer streets, transit and biking, so its news and opinion pieces often share that viewpoint. In 2026 it has covered the administration's transportation moves critically. These include the push for highway expansion, the proposals to cut federal transit and passenger rail funding and to restrict bike-lane grants, and the delayed or withheld grants for transit and bike projects. Its headlines and framing are often pointed and sometimes use charged language about Duffy's policies. It also gives space to Democratic efforts to put guardrails on federal grants. Readers should expect advocacy-driven reporting that is generally accurate on policy detail but reflects a clear point of view.
Sources
- About Us — Streetsblog USA
- Our Funders — Streetsblog USA
- Streetsblog - Columbia Journalism Review
- OpenPlans - Wikipedia
- The Last Straw: Duffy Asks Senate To 'Restrict' Funding For Bike Lanes — Streetsblog USA
- For Earth Day, the Trump Administration Wants To Expand Highways Across America — Streetsblog USA
Profile compiled 2026-10-28; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.