Behind the methodology

Key themes

• Vehicle miles traveled — the largest contributor to a city’s emission levels — bounced back since taking a dip in 2020.
• Biking sustained popularity, but pedestrian activity “dropped significantly.”
• The number of electric vehicles per 100 people is still relatively low. Read: We’re still not seeing a large saturation of EVs; most cities saw fewer than one EV per 100 people.

How we ranked

• VMT: No. 71
• Fuel economy: No. 19
• Transit ridership: No. 20
• EV penetration: No. 9
• Biking activity: No. 29
• Pedestrian activity: No. 30
• Truck miles traveled: No. 41
• VMT change: No. 30

• The Band of Heathens | Friday, July 5 | 8 p.m. | Jester King Brewing, 13187 Fitzhugh Rd., Austin | $20 | Drink a sour beer, see the goats, and watch this live music performance with special guest Jamie Lin Wilson.
• Good Luck Club - An Unapologetic Party | Friday, July 5 | 10:30 p.m. | The Ballroom at Spider House, 2906 Fruth St., Austin | $15-$20 | It’s “queer pop music dance night” on the dance floor, and you better not kill the groove.

• New York City FC vs. Austin FC | Saturday, July 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Q2 Stadium, 10414 McKalla Pl., Austin | $47-$179 | The Big Apple’s football club is in Austin for a match — can they take the heat?

• Recharge Sunday | Sunday, July 7 | 12-8 p.m. | Blue Owl Brewing, 2400 E. Cesar Chavez St., Ste. #300, Austin | Cost of purchase | Unwind from a busy weekend + prepare for the week ahead with massages, eye masks, and frosé.
• Sundance Short Film Festival Tour 2024 | Sunday, July 7 | 6 p.m. | AFS Cinema, 6406 N. I-35, Ste. #3100, Austin | $14 | This “best of the fests” show features seven short films from Sundance.
• “Point Break” | Sunday, July 7 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $12 | This 1991 classic, starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves, is hitting the big screen once again.

• City Manager T.C. Broadnax’s first public appearance since starting the job in May is set for Friday, July 12. He’ll present the city’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year and speak with the community about their ideas for investing in services and programs. (Austin Chronicle)

• Did you know 67 bars in Austin stock alcohol test strips? Customers can request and use them to detect drugs if they suspect their drink has been spiked. The initiative, called the “Sip Safely” program, began about two months ago and continues to grow. (KXAN)

• In an effort to meet the City of Austin’s net-zero emission target by 2040, the Austin Police Department will begin testing two electric Chevrolet Blazers by the end of the year + throughout 2025. In early 2026, they’ll decide if a full fleet should be purchased. (Austin Monitor)

• 5.6 million. That’s how many Texans are expected to travel over the Independence Day holiday travel period, which began on Saturday, June 29 and runs through Sunday, July 7. The AAA Texas projection is a 5.2% increase over last year.

• Amid an uptick in heat-related illnesses this year in Austin, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced new regulations this week to provide more water and rest breaks for people who work outside in extreme heat. (KVUE)

• Vegans, rejoice. Popular New York-style pizza joint Home Slice Pizza added vegan mozzarella to its menu for the first time this week. The vegan cheese is available at every location and can be added to any pie. (Culture Map Austin)