Andrew Bowen (he/him)
@acbowen.bsky.social
KPBS reporter covering housing, transit and local politics in San Diego. Union shop steward. Creator and host of Freeway Exit, a podcast about freeways. Gaily homosexual.
I run @sdtrafficdeaths.bsky.social.
https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/freeway-exit
I run @sdtrafficdeaths.bsky.social.
https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/freeway-exit
Pinned
BONUS: "Life After Cars” (w/ The War on Cars)
What would society look like if people no longer needed their cars? That's the premise of the new book “Life After Cars,” written by Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear.
www.kpbs.org
Really enjoyed talking with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social and @sgoodyear.bsky.social while they were in San Diego promoting "Life After Cars." They met me in Balboa Park (in the pouring rain!) so we could see, hear and discuss the ways cars have impacted our most precious public spaces.
Have a listen!
Have a listen!
Really enjoyed talking with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social and @sgoodyear.bsky.social while they were in San Diego promoting "Life After Cars." They met me in Balboa Park (in the pouring rain!) so we could see, hear and discuss the ways cars have impacted our most precious public spaces.
Have a listen!
Have a listen!
BONUS: "Life After Cars” (w/ The War on Cars)
What would society look like if people no longer needed their cars? That's the premise of the new book “Life After Cars,” written by Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear.
www.kpbs.org
November 22, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Really enjoyed talking with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social and @sgoodyear.bsky.social while they were in San Diego promoting "Life After Cars." They met me in Balboa Park (in the pouring rain!) so we could see, hear and discuss the ways cars have impacted our most precious public spaces.
Have a listen!
Have a listen!
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
On Wednesday, the California Assembly held a special committee meeting on the federal de-funding of public media. I spoke on behalf of @wemakekpbs.bsky.social.
Our union is fighting to create and preserve middle-class careers in journalism, and we need everyone's support.
Our union is fighting to create and preserve middle-class careers in journalism, and we need everyone's support.
November 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
On Wednesday, the California Assembly held a special committee meeting on the federal de-funding of public media. I spoke on behalf of @wemakekpbs.bsky.social.
Our union is fighting to create and preserve middle-class careers in journalism, and we need everyone's support.
Our union is fighting to create and preserve middle-class careers in journalism, and we need everyone's support.
One of the best things about my neighborhood (University Heights, San Diego) is that sound carries up here from very far away. When the ambient traffic noise is quiet enough, I can hear the chimes of the California Tower in Balboa Park, and the Amtrak train whistles downtown. Very grateful for that.
November 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
One of the best things about my neighborhood (University Heights, San Diego) is that sound carries up here from very far away. When the ambient traffic noise is quiet enough, I can hear the chimes of the California Tower in Balboa Park, and the Amtrak train whistles downtown. Very grateful for that.
Never been particularly proud to be a Wildcat… until now.
All reports in this thread are from the collections of Northwestern University's Transportation Library. Materials we've digitized can generally be found in HathiTrust. Learn more and search our catalog here: www.library.northwestern.edu/libraries-co...
November 11, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Never been particularly proud to be a Wildcat… until now.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Big changes are coming to the San Diego Housing Commission's Section 8 voucher program. Years of high inflation in the housing market, plus stagnant federal funding, have dramatically reduced the program's ability to help low-income renters afford housing.
My latest:
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
My latest:
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
Funding cuts, skyrocketing rents push San Diego's housing voucher program into deepening deficit
Some low-income families could be facing rent increases next year, as inflation and funding cuts take a toll on federal programs that subsidize rents.
www.kpbs.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Big changes are coming to the San Diego Housing Commission's Section 8 voucher program. Years of high inflation in the housing market, plus stagnant federal funding, have dramatically reduced the program's ability to help low-income renters afford housing.
My latest:
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
My latest:
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
When I read the full transcript of the interview, I realized there had been no pushback, no corrections, no challenging follow-ups. The entire interview had been an open-ended opportunity for Trump to tell rambling lies, only to have them cleaned up into a more polished product.
60 Minutes Obeys in Advance
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
When I read the full transcript of the interview, I realized there had been no pushback, no corrections, no challenging follow-ups. The entire interview had been an open-ended opportunity for Trump to tell rambling lies, only to have them cleaned up into a more polished product.
Thank you SO MUCH to @nerd4cities.bsky.social for coming to San Diego and for giving Freeway Exit a shoutout in this video! youtu.be/rlpMRyVkqpY?...
California: The Delightful and the Rage-Inducing
YouTube video by Ray Delahanty | CityNerd
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Thank you SO MUCH to @nerd4cities.bsky.social for coming to San Diego and for giving Freeway Exit a shoutout in this video! youtu.be/rlpMRyVkqpY?...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
BREAKING: The California Supreme Court has DENIED the University of California's request that it block the release of a 28-page, $1.2-billion fine Trump administration UCLA settlement offer. UC is required to give a faculty group the document today. www.latimes.com/california/s...
UC must publicly release Trump administration's $1.2-billion settlement proposal
The California Supreme Court on Friday declined a request from the University of California to block the release of a roughly $1.2-billion Trump UCLA settlement. UCLA is required to share the document...
www.latimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:48 PM
BREAKING: The California Supreme Court has DENIED the University of California's request that it block the release of a 28-page, $1.2-billion fine Trump administration UCLA settlement offer. UC is required to give a faculty group the document today. www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
October 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I believe this might be the first serious traffic injury on Pershing Drive since the completion of the Pershing Bikeway. Not entirely clear, but it appears the victim was riding in the southbound painted bike lane, not the separated two-way bike path.
Man riding an e-scooter down Pershing Drive veered off the road, lost control and hit the ground. He was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries: a brain bleed and fractures to his cheek, ribs, clavicle and shoulder blade. #VisionZero
October 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I believe this might be the first serious traffic injury on Pershing Drive since the completion of the Pershing Bikeway. Not entirely clear, but it appears the victim was riding in the southbound painted bike lane, not the separated two-way bike path.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
I spoke to @acbowen.bsky.social of KPBS radio in San Diego yesterday about the significance of #SB79, its major provisions, and its likely impact going forward:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeCu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeCu...
Newsom signs SB 79 to increase housing near public transit
YouTube video by KPBS Public Media
www.youtube.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I spoke to @acbowen.bsky.social of KPBS radio in San Diego yesterday about the significance of #SB79, its major provisions, and its likely impact going forward:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeCu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeCu...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
A Statement from NPR’s Editor in Chief on the Pentagon’s Press Policy.
Read More: www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...
Read More: www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...
October 13, 2025 at 9:32 PM
A Statement from NPR’s Editor in Chief on the Pentagon’s Press Policy.
Read More: www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...
Read More: www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
SB 79 does not apply to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland. Please stop wasting my time with such foolish inquiries.
October 13, 2025 at 10:20 PM
SB 79 does not apply to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland. Please stop wasting my time with such foolish inquiries.
San Diego is preparing 2 community plan updates impacted by SB79: Clairemont and College. These are my rough sketches of the half-mile radii around trolley stops. Yellow is where the city wanted to keep single-family zoning.
Past coverage:
www.kpbs.org/news/local/2...
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Past coverage:
www.kpbs.org/news/local/2...
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
October 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
San Diego is preparing 2 community plan updates impacted by SB79: Clairemont and College. These are my rough sketches of the half-mile radii around trolley stops. Yellow is where the city wanted to keep single-family zoning.
Past coverage:
www.kpbs.org/news/local/2...
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Past coverage:
www.kpbs.org/news/local/2...
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Still thinking about Tyler Cowen watching young actresses in movies and thinking to himself, "yes, but how do I know if she's *really* a virgin? HOW CAN I KNOW?"
And then telling everyone about it!
And then telling everyone about it!
My Favorite Actress Is Not Human
Tilly Norwood doesn’t need a hairstylist, has no regrettable tweets, and if you wish to see a virgin on-screen, this is one of your better chances. That’s because she’s AI, writes Tyler Cowen.
www.thefp.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Still thinking about Tyler Cowen watching young actresses in movies and thinking to himself, "yes, but how do I know if she's *really* a virgin? HOW CAN I KNOW?"
And then telling everyone about it!
And then telling everyone about it!
I went out to the East San Diego County road where the Trump administration revoked a $1.165 million safety grant because they thought the project was "hostile to motor vehicles."
After walking around there, it was clear the current design is hostile to *pedestrians.*
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
After walking around there, it was clear the current design is hostile to *pedestrians.*
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
East County community disappointed after Trump revokes road safety grant deemed 'hostile' to cars
The Department of Transportation has canceled hundreds of grants that run counter to its goal of "preserving or increasing roadway capacity for motor vehicles."
www.kpbs.org
October 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I went out to the East San Diego County road where the Trump administration revoked a $1.165 million safety grant because they thought the project was "hostile to motor vehicles."
After walking around there, it was clear the current design is hostile to *pedestrians.*
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
After walking around there, it was clear the current design is hostile to *pedestrians.*
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
I feel pretty comfortable opining on this. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells his disciples that mistreating any person is the same as mistreating God.
"... I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me."
"... I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me."
I generally refrain from calling things unchristian because Christian theology is very much not my department. But JD Vance implying that hospitals should refuse emergency medical care to immigrants is not at all consonant with what I understand Christianity’s whole thing to be.
October 2, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I feel pretty comfortable opining on this. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells his disciples that mistreating any person is the same as mistreating God.
"... I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me."
"... I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me."
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
When it comes to road deaths, we often put the onus on people doing the dying rather than people doing the killing.
In 2024, 7,100 pedestrians were killed on the road, and in recent years, more than 1,000 cyclists have been hit and killed annually. Safety experts explain how bikers and walkers can stay safe.
8 walking and biking safety tips that just might save your life
In 2024, 7,100 pedestrians were killed on the road, and in recent years, more than 1,000 cyclists have been hit and killed annually. Safety experts explain how bikers and walkers can stay safe.
n.pr
September 28, 2025 at 8:33 AM
When it comes to road deaths, we often put the onus on people doing the dying rather than people doing the killing.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
He lied. Gotta use the word
NEW: Trump falsely suggested today that rank-and-file FBI agents fomented the Jan. 6 attack that a mob of his supporters unleashed on the Capitol, leaning into conspiracy theories as he accuses a second FBI director of committing crimes
w/ @iriesentner.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
w/ @iriesentner.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
Trump falsely suggests FBI agents to blame for igniting Jan. 6 violence
The president’s baseless claim continued a yearslong effort to rewrite the history of the Capitol attack.
www.politico.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:06 PM
He lied. Gotta use the word
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
A government shutdown is days away. And @rbeggin.bsky.social and I obsessing over it.
What do you want do want to know?
Will do my best to respond throughout the day.
What do you want do want to know?
Will do my best to respond throughout the day.
September 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
A government shutdown is days away. And @rbeggin.bsky.social and I obsessing over it.
What do you want do want to know?
Will do my best to respond throughout the day.
What do you want do want to know?
Will do my best to respond throughout the day.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
This rules so hard. It's been a longstanding conviction of mine that the best way to convince people to replace car trips with ebike trips is by letting them try out an ebike for free.
Love the Oakland Public Library. oaklandside.org/2025/09/25/o...
Love the Oakland Public Library. oaklandside.org/2025/09/25/o...
Oakland launches an e-bike lending library
There are now 50 electric bikes available for rent at the Fruitvale BART. It just takes a deposit and a modest fee.
oaklandside.org
September 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
This rules so hard. It's been a longstanding conviction of mine that the best way to convince people to replace car trips with ebike trips is by letting them try out an ebike for free.
Love the Oakland Public Library. oaklandside.org/2025/09/25/o...
Love the Oakland Public Library. oaklandside.org/2025/09/25/o...
NPR has earned the ratio here.
Would love to see @kellymcb.bsky.social and @poynterinstitute.bsky.social take stock of the replies/quotes and write something about how journalists can get smarter about reporting on street safety.
Would love to see @kellymcb.bsky.social and @poynterinstitute.bsky.social take stock of the replies/quotes and write something about how journalists can get smarter about reporting on street safety.
In 2024, 7,100 pedestrians were killed on the road, and in recent years, more than 1,000 cyclists have been hit and killed annually. Safety experts explain how bikers and walkers can stay safe.
8 walking and biking safety tips that just might save your life
In 2024, 7,100 pedestrians were killed on the road, and in recent years, more than 1,000 cyclists have been hit and killed annually. Safety experts explain how bikers and walkers can stay safe.
n.pr
September 25, 2025 at 10:27 PM
NPR has earned the ratio here.
Would love to see @kellymcb.bsky.social and @poynterinstitute.bsky.social take stock of the replies/quotes and write something about how journalists can get smarter about reporting on street safety.
Would love to see @kellymcb.bsky.social and @poynterinstitute.bsky.social take stock of the replies/quotes and write something about how journalists can get smarter about reporting on street safety.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
My employer New York Public Radio just announced that it is offering @onthemedia.bsky.social, @radiolab.bsky.social, and other programs to at-risk public radio stations for free! More info: current.org/2025/09/wnyc...
September 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
My employer New York Public Radio just announced that it is offering @onthemedia.bsky.social, @radiolab.bsky.social, and other programs to at-risk public radio stations for free! More info: current.org/2025/09/wnyc...