David Zipper
@davidzipper.bsky.social
Senior Fellow @ MIT Mobility Initiative & Contributing Writer @ Vox, focused on transport, cities and tech. Words in Atlantic, CityLab, WaPo, etc. https://linktr.ee/davidzipper
Newsletter, speaking and advisory work: http://davidzipper.com
Newsletter, speaking and advisory work: http://davidzipper.com
Pinned
David Zipper
@davidzipper.bsky.social
· Jul 15
Look Both Ways Podcast: Episode 1
YouTube video by Look Both Ways with David & Wes
www.youtube.com
A bit of news:
@wesmars.bsky.social & I are launching Look Both Ways, a new podcast where we’ll debate everything transportation – from street design to robotaxis to fare-free transit.
First episode will be recorded live on Thurs, July 17th at 6p ET.
Join us then (and subscribe) ⤵️
🧵
@wesmars.bsky.social & I are launching Look Both Ways, a new podcast where we’ll debate everything transportation – from street design to robotaxis to fare-free transit.
First episode will be recorded live on Thurs, July 17th at 6p ET.
Join us then (and subscribe) ⤵️
🧵
High-speed two-wheelers* deter people from biking at all.
“Because of the dangers of those who are cycling fast, especially older people over 55 or 60 simply leave their bikes at home. We also hear that parents no longer dare to let their children cycle.”
*Not pedal-assist e-bikes
“Because of the dangers of those who are cycling fast, especially older people over 55 or 60 simply leave their bikes at home. We also hear that parents no longer dare to let their children cycle.”
*Not pedal-assist e-bikes
Amsterdam prepares to ‘ban the fatbikes’ amid rise in serious accidents
Experts say souped-up e-bikes pose big risk for children aged from 12 to 15, who account for many A&E cases
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:45 PM
High-speed two-wheelers* deter people from biking at all.
“Because of the dangers of those who are cycling fast, especially older people over 55 or 60 simply leave their bikes at home. We also hear that parents no longer dare to let their children cycle.”
*Not pedal-assist e-bikes
“Because of the dangers of those who are cycling fast, especially older people over 55 or 60 simply leave their bikes at home. We also hear that parents no longer dare to let their children cycle.”
*Not pedal-assist e-bikes
"State regulators should reconsider their 'let it rip' approach to autonomous vehicle licensure and regulation. A human driver who violated school bus safety road rules dozens of times would likely have lost their license, but there has been no discernable state regulatory consequence to Waymo."
NTSB Investigates Waymo School Bus Incidents
What does this mean, and what might we do to improve safety while the process plays out?
substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:49 PM
"State regulators should reconsider their 'let it rip' approach to autonomous vehicle licensure and regulation. A human driver who violated school bus safety road rules dozens of times would likely have lost their license, but there has been no discernable state regulatory consequence to Waymo."
Reminder that some US cities have teams clearing sidewalks -- not just roads -- when a major snowstorm strikes. Yours could, too.
More Cities Are Taking Responsibility for Clearing Sidewalks of Snow — Streetsblog USA
Rochester, Burlington, Minneapolis, Duluth and Syracuse have either started clearing sidewalks or are moving in that direction.
usa.streetsblog.org
January 25, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Reminder that some US cities have teams clearing sidewalks -- not just roads -- when a major snowstorm strikes. Yours could, too.
98 years later, North American cities still haven’t learned this lesson
January 25, 2026 at 3:42 PM
98 years later, North American cities still haven’t learned this lesson
Every person taking videos of these atrocities is a national hero. Full stop.
January 24, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Every person taking videos of these atrocities is a national hero. Full stop.
Full episode now available. Audio pod links: lookbothwayspod.podbean.com/e/episode-14...
@wesmars.bsky.social and I discuss why a lot of robotaxi fans to get very touchy when challenged.
@wesmars.bsky.social and I discuss why a lot of robotaxi fans to get very touchy when challenged.
January 23, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Full episode now available. Audio pod links: lookbothwayspod.podbean.com/e/episode-14...
@wesmars.bsky.social and I discuss why a lot of robotaxi fans to get very touchy when challenged.
@wesmars.bsky.social and I discuss why a lot of robotaxi fans to get very touchy when challenged.
From Charlottesville, VA, a useful finding for those trying to understand why US pedestrians deaths surge after dark:
"Night time speeding is 27 times more prevalent than day time."
arxiv.org/pdf/2601.10974
"Night time speeding is 27 times more prevalent than day time."
arxiv.org/pdf/2601.10974
January 22, 2026 at 7:16 PM
From Charlottesville, VA, a useful finding for those trying to understand why US pedestrians deaths surge after dark:
"Night time speeding is 27 times more prevalent than day time."
arxiv.org/pdf/2601.10974
"Night time speeding is 27 times more prevalent than day time."
arxiv.org/pdf/2601.10974
Reposted by David Zipper
People Often forget to consider the full cost of their choices, like cheaper housing but much more expensive transportation. Many sustainable choices might seem more expensive, but are not when you consider all the costs. Good urbanism and density is one great example.
Consider: Because of its cheap housing, Houston is often seen as a beacon of affordability. But sprawl inflates residents’ transportation costs.
In dense New York City, transportation consumes half as much of residents’ income as in Houston.
In dense New York City, transportation consumes half as much of residents’ income as in Houston.
Houston Is Now Less Affordable Than New York City
A new report finds that, when transportation costs are factored in, Texas’s biggest metros aren’t the bargain they often claim to be.
www.texasmonthly.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:34 PM
People Often forget to consider the full cost of their choices, like cheaper housing but much more expensive transportation. Many sustainable choices might seem more expensive, but are not when you consider all the costs. Good urbanism and density is one great example.
A surefire way to make transportation more abundant and affordable?
Increase density.
In Bloomberg, I explained why. 🧵
Increase density.
In Bloomberg, I explained why. 🧵
Achieving ‘Transportation Abundance’ Is All About Density
To drive down transportation costs and move the needle on affordability, Americans need to embrace living closer together.
www.bloomberg.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:17 PM
A surefire way to make transportation more abundant and affordable?
Increase density.
In Bloomberg, I explained why. 🧵
Increase density.
In Bloomberg, I explained why. 🧵
Protected bike lanes FTW:
“Segregated cycle lanes – those physically separated from cars – were popular with both regular cyclists and regular drivers. Painted lanes on the road were far less liked, while the option of having no cycle lanes at all was the least popular with both groups.”
“Segregated cycle lanes – those physically separated from cars – were popular with both regular cyclists and regular drivers. Painted lanes on the road were far less liked, while the option of having no cycle lanes at all was the least popular with both groups.”
Why do people support or oppose bike lanes? Our research sheds light on public opinion
Research suggests that more consultation about cycle lanes would bring more support for them.
theconversation.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Protected bike lanes FTW:
“Segregated cycle lanes – those physically separated from cars – were popular with both regular cyclists and regular drivers. Painted lanes on the road were far less liked, while the option of having no cycle lanes at all was the least popular with both groups.”
“Segregated cycle lanes – those physically separated from cars – were popular with both regular cyclists and regular drivers. Painted lanes on the road were far less liked, while the option of having no cycle lanes at all was the least popular with both groups.”
A bunch of autonomous vehicle boosters are mad at me for arguing that robotaxis’ safety benefits are wildly exaggerated. It’s gotten pretty ugly.
@wesmars.bsky.social and I delved into pushback in a new episode of @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social, coming later this week. Here’s a snippet.
@wesmars.bsky.social and I delved into pushback in a new episode of @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social, coming later this week. Here’s a snippet.
January 21, 2026 at 7:57 PM
A bunch of autonomous vehicle boosters are mad at me for arguing that robotaxis’ safety benefits are wildly exaggerated. It’s gotten pretty ugly.
@wesmars.bsky.social and I delved into pushback in a new episode of @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social, coming later this week. Here’s a snippet.
@wesmars.bsky.social and I delved into pushback in a new episode of @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social, coming later this week. Here’s a snippet.
Reposted by David Zipper
In the next episode, Wes & David delve into Mayor Mamdani's fast start with transportation reforms (Manhattan Bridge bike bump, Madison Ave bus lane, McGuinness Blvd...)
@wesmars.bsky.social: "I just love that he didn't appoint a blue ribbon commission for every stupid thing."
Full ep coming soon!
@wesmars.bsky.social: "I just love that he didn't appoint a blue ribbon commission for every stupid thing."
Full ep coming soon!
January 21, 2026 at 7:14 PM
In the next episode, Wes & David delve into Mayor Mamdani's fast start with transportation reforms (Manhattan Bridge bike bump, Madison Ave bus lane, McGuinness Blvd...)
@wesmars.bsky.social: "I just love that he didn't appoint a blue ribbon commission for every stupid thing."
Full ep coming soon!
@wesmars.bsky.social: "I just love that he didn't appoint a blue ribbon commission for every stupid thing."
Full ep coming soon!
I would like to understand how "an abundance of community power" is different from NIMBYism.
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/01/20/w...
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/01/20/w...
January 20, 2026 at 7:12 PM
I would like to understand how "an abundance of community power" is different from NIMBYism.
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/01/20/w...
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/01/20/w...
"Collective outcomes [from cars] are mostly negative, including traffic fatalities, consumption of public space, and harmful effects on public health."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
January 20, 2026 at 5:36 PM
"Collective outcomes [from cars] are mostly negative, including traffic fatalities, consumption of public space, and harmful effects on public health."
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Reposted by David Zipper
F**k. He signed it. New Jersey now has the harshest regulations on e-bikes in the nation. www.insidernj.com/press-releas...
Governor Murphy Signs Senate President Scutari’s E-Bike Safety Legislation - Insider NJ
Governor Murphy Signs Senate President Scutari’s E-Bike Safety Legislation Posted on – 01/19/2026 Legislation Enacts Some of the Nation’s Toughest Regulations on E-Bikes TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy...
www.insidernj.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:19 PM
F**k. He signed it. New Jersey now has the harshest regulations on e-bikes in the nation. www.insidernj.com/press-releas...
Tomorrow at 6p ET!
New livestream tomorrow! Tuesday at 6p ET on YouTube Live (link below)
On the agenda:
🔹 Reflections on TRB under Trump
🔹 Mamdani's fast start on transport reforms
🔹 Robotaxi fans circle the wagons
On the agenda:
🔹 Reflections on TRB under Trump
🔹 Mamdani's fast start on transport reforms
🔹 Robotaxi fans circle the wagons
Look Both Ways LIVE with David & Wes: Episode 14
YouTube video by Look Both Ways with David & Wes
www.youtube.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Tomorrow at 6p ET!
Some open questions:
🔹 How many teleoperators does Waymo have in the Philippines? In other nations?
🔹 How does Waymo ensure it has enough teleoperators to handle an emergency? (Big fail during the SF blackout last month)
🔹 How are teleoperators vetted?
🔹 What happens if they come to work drunk?
🔹 How many teleoperators does Waymo have in the Philippines? In other nations?
🔹 How does Waymo ensure it has enough teleoperators to handle an emergency? (Big fail during the SF blackout last month)
🔹 How are teleoperators vetted?
🔹 What happens if they come to work drunk?
I'm late, but this is the first confirmation I've seen of Waymo using foreign-based remote operators. Prior, there was only a rumored podcast ep, immediately cease-and-desisted.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
January 19, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Some open questions:
🔹 How many teleoperators does Waymo have in the Philippines? In other nations?
🔹 How does Waymo ensure it has enough teleoperators to handle an emergency? (Big fail during the SF blackout last month)
🔹 How are teleoperators vetted?
🔹 What happens if they come to work drunk?
🔹 How many teleoperators does Waymo have in the Philippines? In other nations?
🔹 How does Waymo ensure it has enough teleoperators to handle an emergency? (Big fail during the SF blackout last month)
🔹 How are teleoperators vetted?
🔹 What happens if they come to work drunk?
Reposted by David Zipper
Agree about Detroit Three culture, but cheap EV imports have the potential to be the Toyota Corolla or VW Beetle of the day. That’s how you get the Ford Escort etc.
I don’t think there was ever a world where Detroit would’ve embraced cheap EV sedans, it’s just not in their DNA, but we’ve clearly lost that opportunity for good: apnews.com/article/chin...
Canada agrees to cut tariff on Chinese EVs in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products
Canada has agreed to cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products.
apnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Agree about Detroit Three culture, but cheap EV imports have the potential to be the Toyota Corolla or VW Beetle of the day. That’s how you get the Ford Escort etc.
Reposted by David Zipper
I narrated this timely new @communitytransit.bsky.social video about transit and equality. MLK Day and Rosa Parks Day are coming up!
The Transit Effect With Ken Jennings - Ep. 4: Transit & Opportunity
YouTube video by Community Transit
m.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:29 PM
I narrated this timely new @communitytransit.bsky.social video about transit and equality. MLK Day and Rosa Parks Day are coming up!
Montreal already charges owners of big SUVs more to park. It’s a very sensible policy.
January 16, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Montreal already charges owners of big SUVs more to park. It’s a very sensible policy.
Reposted by David Zipper
I suspect the industry will be fine. In the last two years I've seen a huge proliferation of people on e-bikes in Chicago. There are too many companies trying to make and sell them, however. Many of these companies sell dangerous garbage. They'll fade away and that's a good thing.
It’s not just Rad Power. A wave of e-bike bankruptcies is rocking the industry.
But e-bike believers should keep the faith. These vehicles are useful, fun, and affordable. They’re here to stay.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
But e-bike believers should keep the faith. These vehicles are useful, fun, and affordable. They’re here to stay.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
E-Bike Boosters Ask: Is It All Downhill From Here?
After a Covid-era boom, makers of battery-powered bikes are facing slowing sales, rising tariffs and a policy backlash. But these useful machines can still live up to their hype.
www.bloomberg.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:23 PM
I suspect the industry will be fine. In the last two years I've seen a huge proliferation of people on e-bikes in Chicago. There are too many companies trying to make and sell them, however. Many of these companies sell dangerous garbage. They'll fade away and that's a good thing.
It’s not just Rad Power. A wave of e-bike bankruptcies is rocking the industry.
But e-bike believers should keep the faith. These vehicles are useful, fun, and affordable. They’re here to stay.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
But e-bike believers should keep the faith. These vehicles are useful, fun, and affordable. They’re here to stay.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
E-Bike Boosters Ask: Is It All Downhill From Here?
After a Covid-era boom, makers of battery-powered bikes are facing slowing sales, rising tariffs and a policy backlash. But these useful machines can still live up to their hype.
www.bloomberg.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:57 PM
It’s not just Rad Power. A wave of e-bike bankruptcies is rocking the industry.
But e-bike believers should keep the faith. These vehicles are useful, fun, and affordable. They’re here to stay.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
But e-bike believers should keep the faith. These vehicles are useful, fun, and affordable. They’re here to stay.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
Reposted by David Zipper
Really not sure why I didn't take any pictures, but @davidzipper.bsky.social and I had a great time hanging out with everyone that ventured out for our in-person Rail Drinks!
Hopefully this is the first of what becomes an annual tradition for the @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social...
Hopefully this is the first of what becomes an annual tradition for the @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social...
Coming soon to a bar (perhaps) near you...
In DC for TRB? So are @wesmars.bsky.social & @davidzipper.bsky.social!
Join them for in-person Rail Drinks on Tuesday, Jan 13 @5:30p at Free State (501B G St NW, a couple blocks from the Convention Center).
Join them for in-person Rail Drinks on Tuesday, Jan 13 @5:30p at Free State (501B G St NW, a couple blocks from the Convention Center).
January 14, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Really not sure why I didn't take any pictures, but @davidzipper.bsky.social and I had a great time hanging out with everyone that ventured out for our in-person Rail Drinks!
Hopefully this is the first of what becomes an annual tradition for the @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social...
Hopefully this is the first of what becomes an annual tradition for the @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social...
I'm at a #TRBAM session about car tech (AVs and ADAS).
@iihs-hldi.bsky.social head of research says ADAS leads people to drive more dangerously, negating its crash avoidance potential.
A reminder that safety tech can look a lot less useful when you consider human behavior changes.
@iihs-hldi.bsky.social head of research says ADAS leads people to drive more dangerously, negating its crash avoidance potential.
A reminder that safety tech can look a lot less useful when you consider human behavior changes.
January 12, 2026 at 9:38 PM
I'm at a #TRBAM session about car tech (AVs and ADAS).
@iihs-hldi.bsky.social head of research says ADAS leads people to drive more dangerously, negating its crash avoidance potential.
A reminder that safety tech can look a lot less useful when you consider human behavior changes.
@iihs-hldi.bsky.social head of research says ADAS leads people to drive more dangerously, negating its crash avoidance potential.
A reminder that safety tech can look a lot less useful when you consider human behavior changes.
If you're at TRB, come grab a drink with Wes and me tomorrow!
In DC for TRB? So are @wesmars.bsky.social & @davidzipper.bsky.social!
Join them for in-person Rail Drinks on Tuesday, Jan 13 @5:30p at Free State (501B G St NW, a couple blocks from the Convention Center).
Join them for in-person Rail Drinks on Tuesday, Jan 13 @5:30p at Free State (501B G St NW, a couple blocks from the Convention Center).
January 12, 2026 at 4:12 PM
If you're at TRB, come grab a drink with Wes and me tomorrow!