Andy Thornley
@apthornley.bsky.social
velocitizen / bullfighter
📍the streets of San Francisco
#OperationalizeEverydayBicycling
#QuestionAutomobileEssentialism
📍the streets of San Francisco
#OperationalizeEverydayBicycling
#QuestionAutomobileEssentialism
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Hi America: we've done the science on this bsky.app/profile/ianw...
A lot of people think basically all traffic laws are a fundamentally illegitimate pretext to harass and fine motorists at random, rather than regulations designed to prevent injury and death.
Striking that opponents of automated enforcement so often cite something easily fixed in policy design as a reason to reject the whole idea. For example fretting that local governments will use ATE as a money-printing machine when you can just stipulate the revenue go to specific purposes.
December 13, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Hi America: we've done the science on this bsky.app/profile/ianw...
Reposted by Andy Thornley
“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)
December 13, 2025 at 12:55 AM
“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)
Reposted by Andy Thornley
This is a good thread explaining what is happening in this suit - and the bizarre ruling (which certainly will be appealed)
Here’s the heart of DOT’s position – it’s that FDNY’s access to a parking-protected bike lane is actually less likely to be obstructed by illegally parked cars than a travel lane is (as is common with the current configuration).
December 9, 2025 at 4:37 AM
This is a good thread explaining what is happening in this suit - and the bizarre ruling (which certainly will be appealed)
Reposted by Andy Thornley
The untold story of the ruling in which Justice Chereé Buggs kills the 31st St. bike lane is that FDNY sabotaged it by deciding, inexplicably, that they can’t stage ladder trucks in a bike lane that was designed for them to be wide enough for exactly that s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
s3.documentcloud.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:02 AM
The untold story of the ruling in which Justice Chereé Buggs kills the 31st St. bike lane is that FDNY sabotaged it by deciding, inexplicably, that they can’t stage ladder trucks in a bike lane that was designed for them to be wide enough for exactly that s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Got to ride this 10th Ave #bikenyc beauty last night. We’re finally moving into the 21st Century in NYC.
And also really happy I was the first in NYC to make videos actively campaigning for double-wide bike lanes. So glad the cranks hate me forever and let me know they do often.
And also really happy I was the first in NYC to make videos actively campaigning for double-wide bike lanes. So glad the cranks hate me forever and let me know they do often.
December 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Got to ride this 10th Ave #bikenyc beauty last night. We’re finally moving into the 21st Century in NYC.
And also really happy I was the first in NYC to make videos actively campaigning for double-wide bike lanes. So glad the cranks hate me forever and let me know they do often.
And also really happy I was the first in NYC to make videos actively campaigning for double-wide bike lanes. So glad the cranks hate me forever and let me know they do often.
“I had a client tell me once, ‘In order to move to Florida, I actually have to move to Florida, right?’” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/n...
Rich New Yorkers Threaten to Leave. Then They Find Out How Hard That Is.
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:32 AM
“I had a client tell me once, ‘In order to move to Florida, I actually have to move to Florida, right?’” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/n...
Reposted by Andy Thornley
It's with heavy hearts that we share that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30. Claude brought joy to millions of people at the Academy and across the world during his 17 year tenure. We will miss him dearly. 🤍
December 2, 2025 at 10:22 PM
It's with heavy hearts that we share that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30. Claude brought joy to millions of people at the Academy and across the world during his 17 year tenure. We will miss him dearly. 🤍
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Today was the hardest day of my life. We fought for nearly a decade to bring secure bike parking to NYC and ultimately were completely excluded from the @nyc-dot.bsky.social process for citywide system. To those who believed in us and our vision, I am so sorry.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/01/a...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/01/a...
Adams Administration Picks Vendor for Bike Locker Vendor After Years-Long Wait - Streetsblog New York City
Bike parking lockers built by Tranzito are coming to hundreds of locations across the five boroughs, the Eric Adams administration said.
nyc.streetsblog.org
December 1, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Today was the hardest day of my life. We fought for nearly a decade to bring secure bike parking to NYC and ultimately were completely excluded from the @nyc-dot.bsky.social process for citywide system. To those who believed in us and our vision, I am so sorry.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/01/a...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/01/a...
Reposted by Andy Thornley
How a homegrown company that’s been at it for so long. didn’t even get considered is beyond me. Oonee is doing great work just across the river in Jersey City and it’s a shame the Adams admin excluded the company. Eric Adams was even an early booster!
Today was the hardest day of my life. We fought for nearly a decade to bring secure bike parking to NYC and ultimately were completely excluded from the @nyc-dot.bsky.social process for citywide system. To those who believed in us and our vision, I am so sorry.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/01/a...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/01/a...
Adams Administration Picks Vendor for Bike Locker Vendor After Years-Long Wait - Streetsblog New York City
Bike parking lockers built by Tranzito are coming to hundreds of locations across the five boroughs, the Eric Adams administration said.
nyc.streetsblog.org
December 1, 2025 at 7:59 PM
How a homegrown company that’s been at it for so long. didn’t even get considered is beyond me. Oonee is doing great work just across the river in Jersey City and it’s a shame the Adams admin excluded the company. Eric Adams was even an early booster!
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Look at all these cool Muni routes that were eliminated in 2009 budget cuts and didn't come back 😭 Potrero Hill used to have *three* north-south bus routes where now it has one. The 53 Southern Heights was lost in 2009, the 10 Townsend in 2020, and only the 19 Polk is left.
Service Changes 2009
web.archive.org
December 1, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Look at all these cool Muni routes that were eliminated in 2009 budget cuts and didn't come back 😭 Potrero Hill used to have *three* north-south bus routes where now it has one. The 53 Southern Heights was lost in 2009, the 10 Townsend in 2020, and only the 19 Polk is left.
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Thanksgiving is a rightly fraught holiday for us AmericanStudiers, but I also have a ton I’m thankful for. So this year I wanted to combine those perspectives by blogging about indigenous voices, past & present, for whose contributions to our collective conversations I’m profoundly appreciative! 🗃️ +
November 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Thanksgiving is a rightly fraught holiday for us AmericanStudiers, but I also have a ton I’m thankful for. So this year I wanted to combine those perspectives by blogging about indigenous voices, past & present, for whose contributions to our collective conversations I’m profoundly appreciative! 🗃️ +
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Thanksgiving is problematic. Giving thanks is not. As someone who wants to remember the attempted genocide of indigenous people but also likes a reminder to practice gratitude, I like to use Indigenous People's Month to support (and be grateful for) indigenous creators. A partial list! /1
November 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Thanksgiving is problematic. Giving thanks is not. As someone who wants to remember the attempted genocide of indigenous people but also likes a reminder to practice gratitude, I like to use Indigenous People's Month to support (and be grateful for) indigenous creators. A partial list! /1
Reposted by Andy Thornley
“We all benefit — regardless of our age, our gender, our ability, our socioeconomic status — when our cities are more balanced, where cars are not the dominant force.”
An absolute honour for Melissa to be featured in the @nytimes.com’s Women in Leadership Special Report this week.
nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
An absolute honour for Melissa to be featured in the @nytimes.com’s Women in Leadership Special Report this week.
nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
November 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
“We all benefit — regardless of our age, our gender, our ability, our socioeconomic status — when our cities are more balanced, where cars are not the dominant force.”
An absolute honour for Melissa to be featured in the @nytimes.com’s Women in Leadership Special Report this week.
nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
An absolute honour for Melissa to be featured in the @nytimes.com’s Women in Leadership Special Report this week.
nyti.ms/3XhNIWX
Reposted by Andy Thornley
"People should be forced to drive to the grocery store. Damn why is traffic getting so bad"
November 27, 2025 at 5:41 PM
"People should be forced to drive to the grocery store. Damn why is traffic getting so bad"
Poor little guy, can't win, not trying, pass the mayonnaise www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
‘In Triage Every Day’: A Beleaguered Speaker Says He’s Overwhelmed
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Poor little guy, can't win, not trying, pass the mayonnaise www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Turns out Mamdani's controversial proposal for government-run supermarkets isn't so novel. Other cities also are toying with the idea to bring fresh, affordable food to communities that do not have easy access to it. Good WSJ read (gift link)
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Inside Atlanta’s First Government-Funded Supermarket
The goal is for the store to become profitable without any government subsidy within three years.
www.wsj.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Turns out Mamdani's controversial proposal for government-run supermarkets isn't so novel. Other cities also are toying with the idea to bring fresh, affordable food to communities that do not have easy access to it. Good WSJ read (gift link)
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Waymo privatized another public street:
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
November 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Waymo privatized another public street:
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
Reposted by Andy Thornley
According to this data, Bay Wheels is the fastest-growing bike share system in America, growing 30% this year through September.
ggwash.org/view/101329/...
ggwash.org/view/101329/...
November 24, 2025 at 3:53 PM
According to this data, Bay Wheels is the fastest-growing bike share system in America, growing 30% this year through September.
ggwash.org/view/101329/...
ggwash.org/view/101329/...
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Scotland’s World Cup qualifying win reactions equivalent to small earthquake
Scotland’s World Cup qualifying win reactions equivalent to small earthquake
Celebrations to McLean’s jaw-dropping goal picked up by seismic activity monitors at Glasgow Geothermal Observatory
When Scotland qualified for the men’s football World Cup for the first time in 28 years, supporters were propelled into wild celebration – and even made the earth move in the process.
According to the British Geological Survey (BGS), when Kenny McLean scored from the halfway line to seal a breathtaking 4-2 win over Denmark, which are ranked 18 places higher in the world than Scotland, the reaction at Hampden Park was equivalent to a very small earthquake. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Scotland’s World Cup qualifying win reactions equivalent to small earthquake
I'm crushed to learn that the world has lost Jason Albertson, I knew him and learned so much from him, his compassion and commitment to serving people the world had written off will be very sorely missed, I already miss him awfully
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/d...
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/d...
He spent his life trying to save those on S.F. streets from drugs and poverty. Then he overdosed
For decades, this drug and health counselor brought hope to desperate homeless people in San Francisco. But in the end, he fell prey to the very poison he fought to save so many from.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I'm crushed to learn that the world has lost Jason Albertson, I knew him and learned so much from him, his compassion and commitment to serving people the world had written off will be very sorely missed, I already miss him awfully
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/d...
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/d...
Reposted by Andy Thornley
I lived life as an autistic person for 41 years, and frankly it's wild to see someone who views your existence as a blight elevated to a position of such consequence. I generally see no reason to discuss being on the spectrum publicly, but I'll make an exception for this vile eugenicist. 1/x
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I lived life as an autistic person for 41 years, and frankly it's wild to see someone who views your existence as a blight elevated to a position of such consequence. I generally see no reason to discuss being on the spectrum publicly, but I'll make an exception for this vile eugenicist. 1/x
Reposted by Andy Thornley
Q: Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
November 21, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Q: Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
Reposted by Andy Thornley
A member of Congress just filled out a threat report with the Capitol Police naming the President of the United States as the person making the threat.
Think of where we were on January 7, 2021 when the country overwhelmingly repudiated what had happened.
And think of where we are now.
Think of where we were on January 7, 2021 when the country overwhelmingly repudiated what had happened.
And think of where we are now.
November 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
A member of Congress just filled out a threat report with the Capitol Police naming the President of the United States as the person making the threat.
Think of where we were on January 7, 2021 when the country overwhelmingly repudiated what had happened.
And think of where we are now.
Think of where we were on January 7, 2021 when the country overwhelmingly repudiated what had happened.
And think of where we are now.
Reposted by Andy Thornley
American public, here's the deal: Give Warren a working majority in the Senate, and you will not be disappointed.
Warren: "With Jeffrey Epstein, I really mean follow the money. Here's the deal - JPMorgan Chase - yes, Jamie Dimon, I'm looking at you -- is Epstein's bank, a close personal relationship that spans years. Shouldn't this be in the JPMorgan's ads?...I'd like to have Dimon come in & under oath testify"
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
American public, here's the deal: Give Warren a working majority in the Senate, and you will not be disappointed.
I'd heard that disabling AI content harvesting in Gmail would also disable tabbed categorization, and here we are, I really should just get off Gmail / Google altogether
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I'd heard that disabling AI content harvesting in Gmail would also disable tabbed categorization, and here we are, I really should just get off Gmail / Google altogether