Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 7h

A heartwarming story about the lengths New Yorkers will go to store their private property for free on jam-packed public streets

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/n...

In New York, Free Street Parking Comes at a Cost

www.nytimes.com

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 8h

I’m in Portland right now. Coffee is amazing, people are friendly, and I just bought a great book (in a store).

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

Trump: "I don't know what could be worse than Portland. You don't even have stores anymore. They don't even put glass up. They put plywood on their windows."

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 10h

Feels fitting that my first-ever bike ride in Portland, OR is to grab coffee with former Rep. Earl Blumenauer, founder of the Congressional Bike Caucus

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Reposted by David Zipper

alex block @alexblock.bsky.social · 10h

“I live my life without a transit schedule, and I like it.”

That’s a great, succinct statement about the benefits of frequent service.

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 14h

The #1 piece of advice that TransLink's CEO offers other North American transit agencies:

Provide frequent service

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Reposted by David Zipper

Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City @thefoxandthecity.com · 11h

Really good interview from @davidzipper.bsky.social.

The keys? Frequency and transit-oriented development.

I would emphasize frequency. Running the bus every 30 minutes isn’t going to cut it if you want to grow ridership. With 30-minute service, if one bus doesn’t show up it’s now 60-minute service. Folks aren’t going to rely on that.

In Vancouver, we have lots of buses run with headways of five minutes or less. The SkyTrain is running every three or four minutes, and because it’s driverless, we have the capacity to run even more. That was extremely helpful when Taylor Swift completed her Eras Tour here last year, and we were able to empty out a 55,000-person stadium in 45 minutes because the SkyTrain came every 90 seconds.

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Reposted by David Zipper

Jeffrey Tumlin 🏳️‍🌈 🌁 @jeffreytumlin.bsky.social · 11h

Vancouver's secret for transit success: frequency + land use

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 14h

Vancouver's TransLink is a rare success story in North American transit, with ridership almost matching pre-Covid levels. It might be the only big 🇺🇸/🇨🇦 agency that has *expanded* total bus service since 2019.

I spoke w/CEO Kevin Quinn about lessons from TransLink's rapid recovery. 🧵

The Secret to Vancouver’s Public Transit Ridership Recovery

The Canadian city’s transit agency, TransLink, bounced back from Covid even as other North American systems have struggled. Its leader explains why riders returned.

www.bloomberg.com

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 14h

BTW, Quinn, TransLink’s CEO, is American.

He had an interesting explanation for Canada's apparent disinterest in fare-free transit when compared to the US.

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 14h

The #1 piece of advice that TransLink's CEO offers other North American transit agencies:

Provide frequent service

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 14h

Why is Vancouver’s transit system doing so well?

🔹 Growing population and dense development due to barriers to the N (mountains) S (US border) and W (ocean)

🔹 Lots of transit-oriented land use – esp in the suburbs, where ridership is soaring

🔹 Frequent service, often with headways <5 min

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 14h

Vancouver's TransLink is a rare success story in North American transit, with ridership almost matching pre-Covid levels. It might be the only big 🇺🇸/🇨🇦 agency that has *expanded* total bus service since 2019.

I spoke w/CEO Kevin Quinn about lessons from TransLink's rapid recovery. 🧵

The Secret to Vancouver’s Public Transit Ridership Recovery

The Canadian city’s transit agency, TransLink, bounced back from Covid even as other North American systems have struggled. Its leader explains why riders returned.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by David Zipper

Wes Marshall @wesmars.bsky.social · 1d

Terrible story but great reporting by Laura Penington of the Denver Post:
- "A man died... after being hit by the driver of a van while riding his bike"
- "the driver struck him from behind"

And some extra context that you rarely ever see:
- "There are no bike lanes along that stretch of road"

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

In theory, sure. But moped networks won’t be available anytime soon.

The solution can’t be “well, until we have dedicated motorcycle space, parents biking with their kids will have to deal with mopeds zooming past them.”

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

I'm not sure protecting people riding in bike lanes would invite American fascism.

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

I know. It's the enforcement aspect that seems to be preventing some folks (more in the urbanist world than specifically the bike world) from speaking about what is becoming a serious problem.

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Reposted by David Zipper

Look Both Ways with David & Wes @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social · 1d

Episode 7 is out!
Listen wherever you pod, or watch the video version here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5ydKzNluAY

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

Go back and read my posts. I never said Class III are the biggest danger facing road users. I said they're a major problem, and not only b/c of safety risks; the stress they create can deter people from biking in the first place.

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

Many urbanist groups seem to be actively ignoring Class III dangers, because they know enforcement is a divisive topic. It's a problem. And it's going to come around and bite them.

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Reposted by David Zipper

Max Dubler 🏳️‍🌈 @maxdubler.com · 1d

Class 1 e-bikes, which require pedaling and have electric assist that tops out at 18mph, are very different than throttle-operated class 2 and 3 bikes, which are themselves very different from the bigger, faster electric motorcycles that are proliferating under the “ebike” label.

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

My unpopular urbanist opinion is that big, hyperfast two-wheelers are a menace and should be banned from bike lanes/paths (with enforcement).

These things endanger everyone riding a bike or legal e-bike. Worse, they deter some from even trying.

E-bikes have evolved into e-motorcycles. Law enforcement is lagging behind.

Serious injuries are on the rise in emergency rooms around the country, as electric cycles become bigger and faster. Lawmakers and police departments are scrambling to address the problem.

www.inquirer.com

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

Yes. If we want e-bikes to scale, we have to deal with hyper fast two-wheelers, which are a scourge.

These things are turning people against e-bikes. Is that fair? No, but it’s reality.

ClimateNick 🇬🇧 🇯🇵 @climatenick.bsky.social · 1d

Agree they are a menace, we have to make sure we emphasize the difference between these and normal e-bikes, as they are often treated as the same thing in media and politics.

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

My unpopular urbanist opinion is that big, hyperfast two-wheelers are a menace and should be banned from bike lanes/paths (with enforcement).

These things endanger everyone riding a bike or legal e-bike. Worse, they deter some from even trying.

E-bikes have evolved into e-motorcycles. Law enforcement is lagging behind.

Serious injuries are on the rise in emergency rooms around the country, as electric cycles become bigger and faster. Lawmakers and police departments are scrambling to address the problem.

www.inquirer.com

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

I understand drivers leaving if the passenger is late. But I don’t understand a confirmed early AM ride simply disappearing from the system.

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 1d

Who needs coffee to wake up when you can have Lyft cancel your scheduled 5a airport ride without telling you

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 2d

The longer your commute, the more likely you are to have insomnia.

Scientists Expose How Housing and Commutes Steal Sleep

City living’s hidden cost: long commutes and small homes are quietly stealing your sleep.

scitechdaily.com

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 2d

New @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social livestream today at 6p ET! Use the link below.

The recording will be available on podcast platforms later this week.

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 5d

New @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social livestream on Tues at 6p ET!

On the agenda:
🔹 USDOT yanks transit funding
🔹 Amish e-bikes (it's a thing!)
🔹 Why new US buses cost $$$

This will be the last livestream for a bit b/c @wesmars.bsky.social & I are heading abroad. Join us ⤵️, or listen later

Look Both Ways LIVE with David & Wes: Episode 7

YouTube video by Look Both Ways with David & Wes

www.youtube.com

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 3d

"Few microtransit evaluations found that programs substantially increased transit ridership."

doi.org/10.1016/j.ci...

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