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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · 7d

During my years of strong ties to Bogotá, Colombia 🇨🇴 (2014- present), increased motorcycle use, from roughly 1% to 10% of trips, has been the single greatest detrimental change to my quality of life there.
#noise #danger #contamination #sidewalkparkinganddriving

Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · 7d

Male motorcyclists die at an exceptionally high rate in Colombia (per research cited below).

My view: Those who don’t die degrade the quality of life in 🇨🇴 cities— via noise, air contamination, the conquest of public space, and the danger they pose to people walking— and reduce 🇨🇴’s attractiveness.

Darío Hidalgo Guerrero🇨🇴 @dhidalgo65.bsky.social · 7d

The crude city-level motorcyclist mortality rate was 4.16 per 100,000 population. Age-standardized rates varied from 0.51 to 22.60. Males had higher mortality rates, with the highest rates in 20-24-year-olds.
Yannone et al. (2025)
Colombia 8.6 motorcycle deaths per 100,000 people (2.63 F, 14.89 M)

Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · 7d

Male motorcyclists die at an exceptionally high rate in Colombia (per research cited below).

My view: Those who don’t die degrade the quality of life in 🇨🇴 cities— via noise, air contamination, the conquest of public space, and the danger they pose to people walking— and reduce 🇨🇴’s attractiveness.

Darío Hidalgo Guerrero🇨🇴 @dhidalgo65.bsky.social · 7d

The crude city-level motorcyclist mortality rate was 4.16 per 100,000 population. Age-standardized rates varied from 0.51 to 22.60. Males had higher mortality rates, with the highest rates in 20-24-year-olds.
Yannone et al. (2025)
Colombia 8.6 motorcycle deaths per 100,000 people (2.63 F, 14.89 M)

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Reposted by Chris N. Morfas

Jeet Heer @jeetheer.bsky.social · 19d

For his friends, Donald Trump provides protection from the law; for his enemies, punishment. www.thenation.com/article/poli...

Donald Trump’s Corruption of the Law Is Destroying American Democracy

If Democrats don’t fight this with everything they have, they are basically admitting that authoritarianism is here to stay.

www.thenation.com

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · 24d

You see what I mean. Extraordinarily enjoyable cycling tourism. 2/2

Quiet gravel route for cyclists and hikers just east of Colleville-sur-Mère, Normandy France 🇫🇷

Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · 24d

Traffic prohibited “except bicycles and residents.” Rural France (here, Normandy) is a model for low-stress cycling. 1/2

French traffic sign restricts through traffic and prioritizes cyclists and local residents.

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 11

Mayor of Paris: "Our streets are gradually being reintroduced to residents, new trees are being planted, and walks are being made easier and safer."
courtesy @davidzipper.bsky.social

Reposted by Chris N. Morfas

Eve Levenson @eve-levenson.bsky.social · Sep 10

Political violence should never be condoned. Gun violence should never be condoned. Not in our schools, not anywhere. Period.

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Reposted by Chris N. Morfas

Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · Sep 10

If I have any credibility with you from 20 years of reporting on rightwing & fascist movements, please listen when I beg you not to celebrate Charlie Kirk getting shot. Leave aside morality: this isn’t a match in dry grass, it’s a torch. We do not want what this could ignite & we would not win.

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 8

Air pollution levels in Paris 2007-present

Air pollution levels in Paris have dropped since 2007 owing to restrictions on vehicle use and a boom in bicycling.

Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 8

Sharp answer from Trump. His base and other authoritarians see it exactly that way.

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 7

Thank you for clarifying. It’s all so impressive and inspiring 💪🏻

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 7

By limiting through traffic, the projects aim to improve neighborhood safety, prioritize access to local businesses, promote conviviality among residents, encourage comfortable walking and bicycling, and continue the city’s tremendous progress in reducing air pollution. 2/2

Paris aims to improve the quality of life within its neighborhoods by reducing through traffic.

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 7

Below, a discussion of a “limited traffic” zone in Paris’s Marais neighborhood. Pictured: A sidewalk sign informing Parisians that a new such zone is coming. What’s the purpose? 1/2

Paris is creating limited traffic zones throughout its city center.

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 5

“Hiring slowdown.” “Unemployment edges up.” Corrupt dictators should at least make the trains run on time.

www.cnbc.com/2025/09/05/j...

Payrolls rose 22,000 in August, less than expected in further sign of hiring slowdown

Nonfarm payrolls were expected to increase by 75,000 in August while the unemployment rate edged up tp 4.3%.

www.cnbc.com

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 5

I’m currently in Europe. Cities offer integrated train and bus transit. Safe bicycling options abound. Walking is pleasant and conveniently leads me to cute parks, plazas, and local shops. Who exactly is falling behind???

The Economist @economist.com · Sep 5

Will the absence of robotaxis in Europe mark the moment its citizens notice how far their continent has fallen behind?

Robotaxis will be the Sputnik Moment for a declining Europe

A slow-motion car crash on Europe’s roads

econ.st

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Reposted by Chris N. Morfas

Molly Shah @mommunism.bsky.social · Sep 5

For 58€ a month I can ride on almost any public transport anywhere in Germany. Within a 15 minute walk from my house I can access 4 S Bahn lines, 3 UBahn lines, regional trains (I honestly don’t even know how many of those), 3 tram lines and at least 4 city bus lines (probably more).

The Economist @economist.com · Sep 5

Will the absence of robotaxis in Europe mark the moment its citizens notice how far their continent has fallen behind?

Robotaxis will be the Sputnik Moment for a declining Europe

A slow-motion car crash on Europe’s roads

econ.st

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 5

Caitlin Clark’s lost season is the biggest sports story of the year. 😕

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 4

The ex-Republican Never-Trumpers are better at this than the Democrats 🤷‍♂️

Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan.bsky.social · Sep 4

"My Plea to Democrats: Stop Being Polite, Go Nuclear"

Absolute #mustread for Zeteo from former GOP strategist Stuart Stevens, in which he lays out what the Dems must do if they win back the House next year, including defunding the entire executive branch and nationalizing SpaceX.

My Plea to Democrats: Stop Being Polite, Go Nuclear

A former Republican strategist lays out what the Dems must do if they win back the House next year, including defunding the entire executive branch and nationalizing SpaceX.

zeteo.com

Reposted by Chris N. Morfas

Warren Wells, AICP @warrenjwells.bsky.social · Sep 3

The problem of e-bikes/e-motos is one of their maximum speed and not the presence of a throttle.

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Reposted by Chris N. Morfas

Susannah Walker @susannahwalker.bsky.social · Aug 29

In response to my rant yesterday, I was asked how we can make better parks and other public places for teenage girls? What do they want? I have answers to this, so now a positive 🧵.
Starting in Sweden, where this was co-designed by teenage girls.

Frizon shelter - a curved space with seats like swings and lovely coloured perspex in the roof and a view of the city of Umeå at dusk. Two teenage girls sit in one of the swing seats having a chat.

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 1

Referencing this trip with which Russia is alleged to have interfered, jamming her plane’s signals and forcing the pilots to land with paper maps.

EU President’s recent itinerary took her to the EU’s frontline members. Russia is alleged to have interfered with her plane’s electronics, forcing a manual landing.

Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Sep 1

Re: Russia’s suspected jamming of EU chief’s plane…Would the USA take down Putin’s plane if the opportunity presented itself?

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Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Aug 31

The “Trump is dead” thing: 1) gives one hope 😁, 2) reminds us ala “Paul is dead” how deeply Trump has penetrated the culture.

Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Aug 26

I always said Sacramento would have been better off as a city with Soviet occupation for a decade instead of surrendering to the combined forces of the redevelopment and the highway lobbies.

Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism @mateosfo.bsky.social · Aug 26

When it comes to enemies of the USA, car industry is unrivaled.

Confederate terrorists patrolling our streets could never dream of scale of destruction Ford & GM unleashed on our cities.

"A wave of demolitions hollowed out neighborhoods, with homes and commercial buildings bulldozed for parking."

Chris N. Morfas @thehappygringo.bsky.social · Aug 24

The USA’s most notable military victories — the conquest of the Confederacy, its assistance in WW1, and its more leading role in WW2– DID result in (essentially) unconditional surrender. But that’s not how most wars end. That’s not how Russia’s war upon Ukraine will end. Iran? That’s idiotic.