Chris Smith
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chrissmith.us
Chris Smith
@chrissmith.us
600 followers 250 following 110 posts
Low car transportation advocate
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chrissmith.us
Chris Smith @chrissmith.us · 5h
Cutting the bike parking.. .
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Reposted by Chris Smith
chadlykins.bsky.social
Chad Lykins @chadlykins.bsky.social · 2d
Portland's ruling class has a bizarre theory that the way to revitalize troubled locations is to remove seating, bathrooms, and open spaces, then add boulders and hideous fencing. You see it at Central Library, Firefighter Memorial, etc.

Meanwhile in Europe...
davidzipper.bsky.social David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 2d
I just arrived in Barcelona. One of the first things I noticed (and love): So many public places to sit down!

Such a contrast with the hostile architecture that's widespread in US cities.
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chrissmith.us
Chris Smith @chrissmith.us · 2d
If we had not pulled off the Tilikum, Hawthorne was the backup to complete the Eastside loop
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Reposted by Chris Smith
bikeportland.org
BikePortland @bikeportland.org · 3d
Metro's TPAC - Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee - is seeking a community rep. TPAC works a lot on Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) implementation and in this role you'd be giving the policymakers/electeds insight from your lived experience. - www.oregonmetro.gov/regional-lea...
TPAC community member application
Metro’s Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee is seeking community representatives interested in regional transportation issues. Apply now.
www.oregonmetro.gov
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Reposted by Chris Smith
bikeportland.org
BikePortland @bikeportland.org · 3d
So cool to wake up to this profile of my bud and fellow urbanist documenter nerd Clarence Eckerson @streetfilms.bsky.social ! He's had such an amazing career. A true innovator of the form whose work changed the game forever.

hellgatenyc.com/livable-stre...
The Livable Streets Revolution Has Been Televised—By This Guy
For more than two decades, Clarence Eckerson Jr.'s videos have shown that walkable, bike-friendly streets are possible. Now, he's thinking about hanging up his camera.
hellgatenyc.com
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chrissmith.us
Chris Smith @chrissmith.us · 3d
The farmers market ride is one way, so we don't go back down the hill, but depending on whether I was going north or south I'd probably use Market (to go south) or Harrison to 4th to Salmon (to go north)
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Reposted by Chris Smith
jonathanmaus.bsky.social
Jonathan Maus @jonathanmaus.bsky.social · 4d
The problem with PBOT and the city's approach in general to East Portland roads, isn't a lack of attention or investment. It's that the projects they do build are way too compromised (bcuz politics), too sympathetic to drivers, and are lacking in physical protection for bikers/walkers.
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Reposted by Chris Smith
jonathanmaus.bsky.social
Jonathan Maus @jonathanmaus.bsky.social · 4d
Baker’s “no” and his unwillingness to go-along to get-along could be seen as a shot across the bow.
bikeportland.org BikePortland @bikeportland.org · 4d
Having one of ODOT's five bosses vote "no" and request a delay on a project of this scale — one that has vast bureaucratic inertia behind it — is unheard of.

bikeportland.org/2025/10/30/n...
'No' vote an ominous first for Interstate Bridge project
While it was just a procedural step, Commissioner Jeff Baker was not having it.
bikeportland.org
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chrissmith.us
Chris Smith @chrissmith.us · 5d
The farmers market ride uses that stretch every Saturday!
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Reposted by Chris Smith
joanbybike.bsky.social
joan @joanbybike.bsky.social · 5d
ODOT is hiring. Do you know anyone, @nomorefreewayspdx.com? oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SOR_Ex...
Rose Quarter Program Director
Initial Posting Date: 10/27/2025 Application Deadline: 11/17/2025 Agency: Department of Transportation Salary Range: $10,589 - $16,379 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Rose Quarter Program Dire...
oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
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chrissmith.us
Chris Smith @chrissmith.us · 5d
Fun panel!
nomorefreewayspdx.com No More Freeways @nomorefreewayspdx.com · 5d
Packed house for the @opb.org / @wgbh.org live taping of the cross over Big Dig / Stop Requested podcast! NMF co-founder @chrissmith.us is on tonight’s panel
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Reposted by Chris Smith
amb.fyi
autumnal amb 🍂 @amb.fyi · 8d
cannot express the levels of rage and sadness this brings me
koin6.bsky.social KOIN 6 News @koin6.bsky.social · 8d
Portland Fire & Rescue officials say they responded to reports of the fire in Southeast Portland at around 2:40 a.m Sunday.

https://www.koin.com/news/portland/portland-city-councilor-candace-avalos-car-home-damaged-in-fire-investigation-underway/?cid=bluesky_ 
Image 1
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Reposted by Chris Smith
jonathanmaus.bsky.social
Jonathan Maus @jonathanmaus.bsky.social · 10d
This follows ODOT shuttering their Urban Mobility Office (tasked w implementing megaprojects including IBR, I-5 RQ, etc..) and the UMO Office Director Tiffani Penson resigning from her role earlier this month.
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Reposted by Chris Smith
jonathanmaus.bsky.social
Jonathan Maus @jonathanmaus.bsky.social · 10d
Breaking news: Interstate Bridge Replacement Project Administrator Greg Johnson is stepping down from his role in the project effective Dec. 31.

He will be replaced by Carley Francis from WashDOT.
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Reposted by Chris Smith
transitcenter.bsky.social
TransitCenter @transitcenter.bsky.social · 11d
Transit agencies take so much heat for being “inefficient” while State DOTs have largely escaped scrutiny for continuously lighting money on fire.
davidzipper.bsky.social David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 11d
US highway spending is a mess.

Yale prof @zliscow.bsky.social & colleagues found that South Carolina’s DOT spends $375,500 repaving a mile of highway – more than twice as much as North Carolina.

In @bloomberg.com, I spoke with Liscow about the wild inefficiencies of state DOTs.
American Roads Are Paved With Inefficiency
Why do US highway projects cost so much? A researcher finds some surprising sources of infrastructure inflation, and points to ways to make road work more affordable.
www.bloomberg.com
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Reposted by Chris Smith
grist.org
Grist @grist.org · 12d
E-bikes could cut carbon, congestion, and costs — if cities take them seriously.

grist.org/transportati...

#Bicycle #Bikes #Transportation #Nature #Cities
E-bikes could cut carbon, congestion, and costs — if cities take them seriously
E-bike sales are booming, providing a clean form of transportation that also improves public health. Yet cities remain committed to cars.
grist.org
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Reposted by Chris Smith
amb.fyi
autumnal amb 🍂 @amb.fyi · 12d
the ~2009 Community Cycling Center report "Understanding Barriers to Bicycling" remains one of the most important and underutilized frameworks for thinking about how to get more folks into biking.

communitycyclingcenter.org/wp-content/u...
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Reposted by Chris Smith
robgalanakis.bsky.social
Rob Galanakis @robgalanakis.bsky.social · 13d
I'll be here tomorrow. Some thoughts on the settlement. 🧵
bikeloudpdx.bsky.social BikeLoudPDX @bikeloudpdx.bsky.social · 14d
Join BikeLoud to get our legal settlement over the finish line!
Help get Council to agree to one of Portland's biggest investments in biking, ever.

Wed Oct 22 9AM Rally at City Hall

8AM Ride to event: www.shift2bikes.org/calendar/eve...

mailchi.mp/bikeloudpdx/...
BikeLoud message about Wed Oct 22 Rally at City Hall with photo and logo. Words say, " BikeLoud PDX: Making 25% of trips by bike possible. Get our settlement over the finish line! The settlement would be one of Portland's biggest investments in biking, ever. In 2022 BikeLoud filed a lawsuit against the City of Portland over violation of the Bike Bill (a 1971 law that requires bicycle and pedestrian facilities to be built when a road is constructed, reconstructed, or relocated). Here we are three years later with a legal settlement in hand ready to get things done, but Portland City Council says not so fast. We need their approval on our settlement to seal the deal. That's why we need you to show up so our city government knows we're not giving up that easily. On Wednesday morning we'll be delivering a letter to city council spelling out why they should pass this settlement agreement. This is an opportunity to show City Council that Portlanders will fight for safer streets. Rally at City Hall Wednesday, October 22 at 9:00 am! Ride from Peninsula Park to the rally!" Words say, "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, November 2024 Our proposed settlement, as it currently stands, was reached through several days of negotiations between BikeLoud, PBOT and the city's senior deputy attorney. In brief, here is a list of projects the two parties agreed to: Safety improvements to neighborhood greenways utilized by Portland Bike Buses Investments to a better Sandy Boulevard BAT (Business Access and Transit lanes) for the entire length of the 82nd Avenue project Completion of the neighborhood greenway upgrades around Hawthorne Boulevard. Want to do your homework? Here's the amended complaint which moved our lawsuit forward in 2023. Here's BikePortland's article laying out some of the details of the settlement hiccup. If you have any questions, reach out to us at bikeloudpdx@gmail.com We are forever indebted to our incredible attorneys who have worked hundreds of hours pro bono for the cause: Scott Kocher of Forum Law Group and Chris Thomas of Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost with the savvy assistance of Jim Coon and Brandon Summers. Donate to BikeLoud"
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Reposted by Chris Smith
bikeloudpdx.bsky.social
BikeLoudPDX @bikeloudpdx.bsky.social · 13d
𝗦𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲!

Wed Oct 22

Meet BikeLoud at City Hall 9AM to petition @portlandcouncil.bsky.social to fund legally required bike lanes bsky.app/profile/bike...

Meet @trimet.org HQ to support 82nd Ave bus lanes bsky.app/profile/bike...

Or write letters of support.
bikeloudpdx.bsky.social BikeLoudPDX @bikeloudpdx.bsky.social · 14d
This Wednesday in PDX we're rallying against TWO groups of people in agencies who should be our leaders on climate over car-culture:

*82nd Ave could be rebuilt for people who bus/bike/walk 1st, then cars @trimet.org

*PBOT + @portlandcouncil.bsky.social are still pushing back on the 1971 Bike Bill
doctorvive.bsky.social Dr. Genevieve Guenther (she/they) @doctorvive.bsky.social · 14d
I think I understand the many reasons why people believe it's not worth it to phase out fossil fuels, but I also feel exhausted and vaguely insane living my life knowing that while the world seems normal on the surface, the fossil-fuel economy is, right now, breaking the world forever.
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Reposted by Chris Smith
mayorkwilson.bsky.social
Mayor Keith Wilson @mayorkwilson.bsky.social · 15d
An “accident chain” is a collection of small mistakes or oversights that, together, can lead to an accident, injury or death. As the former CEO of one of North America’s safest freight trucking companies, I’ve learned to see these potential chain-links everywhere.

www.newsweek.com/portland-may...
Portland Mayor: ICE Facility Is a Disaster Waiting To Happen
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to Portland was a taxpayer-funded whistle-stop tour to prop up a ludicrous fable of domestic terrorism.
www.newsweek.com
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Reposted by Chris Smith
ecosozialismus.bsky.social
Nick @ecosozialismus.bsky.social · 16d
😍😍😍
opb.org OPB @opb.org · 16d
For the first time in more than 100 years, Chinook salmon have been spotted at the confluence of the Sprague and Williamson rivers in Chiloquin, the government seat of the Klamath Tribes in Southern Oregon.

Salmon clear last Klamath dams, reaching Williamson and Sprague rivers
Just a year after four dams were removed, a group of fall Chinook have migrated nearly 300 miles into the Upper Klamath Basin.
www.opb.org
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Reposted by Chris Smith
jonathanmaus.bsky.social
Jonathan Maus @jonathanmaus.bsky.social · 17d
Seems kind of messed up that TriMet would get $55 million grant from PCEF to build "bus rapid transit" on 82nd Ave and then go and give us just 3 miles of lanes that drivers can use to access driveways and turns.

news.trimet.org/2024/12/trim...
TriMet’s 82nd Avenue Transit Project fueled by $55.5 million grant from Portland Clean Energy Fund - TriMet News
TriMet FX®–Frequent Express bus service will reduce traffic congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions and provide better access to jobs along […]
news.trimet.org
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Reposted by Chris Smith
humantransit.bsky.social
Jarrett Walker @humantransit.bsky.social · 17d
Portland: Looks like we may not get bus lanes on the most congested parts of 82nd Ave., because the segment where they are most needed is, of course, exactly where there are the most businesses to complain. Bike Portland is on it.
jonathanmaus.bsky.social Jonathan Maus @jonathanmaus.bsky.social · 18d
Big meeting where this staff recommendation is likely to be made final (or changed) is the Project Policy & Budget Committee meeting which is set for Nov 7th at 9 AM at TriMet Public Safety Office 101 SW Main St.

bikeportland.org/2025/10/16/t...
TriMet caves on 82nd Ave transit plans as business owners threaten lawsuits
Everything seemed to be lined up for seven miles of bus lanes, but now the wheels have come off.
bikeportland.org
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Reposted by Chris Smith
amb.fyi
autumnal amb 🍂 @amb.fyi · 18d
Disastrous, cowardly move by @trimet.org. Kudos to Zachary Laureitzen from Oregon Walks for this quote:
Zachary Lauritzen, a CAC member of executive director of nonprofit Oregon Walks, said he was caught off guard by TriMet’s decision. “PBOT did their analysis and said full BAT lanes were possible. Amazing! To have Trimet, our transit agency, the folks who should be the biggest advocates for excellent transit, choose to recommend this half-measure is mind boggling,” Lauritzen shared with BikePortland this morning. “The project team has moved further and further away from BRT and should call it what it is: a nice transit improvement. It’s not BRT and it’s not going to transform 82nd Avenue as people have asked for and been expecting from half a billion dollars in investments.”
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