New Houston mayor reverses course on bike, pedestrian improvements.

Houston's new mayor, John Whitmire, has raised concerns among pedestrian and cyclist advocates by reversing the city's previous transportation policies. Since taking office, Whitmire has ordered the removal of pedestrian islands and halted construction on bike and pedestrian-friendly improvements. This has led to the departure of top city transportation officials and criticism from advocates who believe the mayor is not prioritizing pedestrian safety. Houston has a high number of pedestrian deaths, and previous administrations had implemented projects to improve safety. However, Whitmire's administration has put these projects on hold, citing concerns about reduced mobility and negative impacts on emergency responders. Critics worry that existing bike lanes and infrastructure may also be removed. [Extracted from the article]