David Bickford
@exit2lef.bsky.social
Urban advocate, slow cyclist, desert hiker, and amateur epicurean.
Author, PHX Rail Food
https://phxrailfood.com/
President, Phoenix Spokes People
https://phoenixspokespeople.org
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Personal account for personal opinions.
Author, PHX Rail Food
https://phxrailfood.com/
President, Phoenix Spokes People
https://phoenixspokespeople.org
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Personal account for personal opinions.
New Years Eve rain is always appreciated in #Phoenix because it means we don't have the usual New Years Day hangover of dirty brown air from fireworks. Air quality at this moment is "moderate," a major improvement compared to the "unhealthy" or "hazardous" ratings often seen at sunrise on January 1.
January 1, 2026 at 2:22 PM
New Years Eve rain is always appreciated in #Phoenix because it means we don't have the usual New Years Day hangover of dirty brown air from fireworks. Air quality at this moment is "moderate," a major improvement compared to the "unhealthy" or "hazardous" ratings often seen at sunrise on January 1.
I have never seen as much wrong way parking as at #Scottsdale Quarter. I don’t know whether it’s due to suburban shoppers with little urban parallel parking experience or an entitlement mentality associated with luxury vehicles. Either way, it seems contrary to the mall’s intended upscale image.
December 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I have never seen as much wrong way parking as at #Scottsdale Quarter. I don’t know whether it’s due to suburban shoppers with little urban parallel parking experience or an entitlement mentality associated with luxury vehicles. Either way, it seems contrary to the mall’s intended upscale image.
A drunk driver ran a red light and struck a light rail train in Midtown #Phoenix this morning, resulting in his own death and injuries to several passengers. @kjzz.org is reporting this accurately while @azcentral.com and other local media are running deceptive headlines about a "light rail crash."
December 31, 2025 at 1:18 AM
A drunk driver ran a red light and struck a light rail train in Midtown #Phoenix this morning, resulting in his own death and injuries to several passengers. @kjzz.org is reporting this accurately while @azcentral.com and other local media are running deceptive headlines about a "light rail crash."
Taking my daughter to her seasonal job at #Scottsdale Quarter makes me painfully aware of mismatches in planning. The Quarter has narrow streets, but 99% of people drive there. Downtown #Phoenix has better access via transit, but the city stubbornly insists on maintaining multi-lane arterials there.
December 27, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Taking my daughter to her seasonal job at #Scottsdale Quarter makes me painfully aware of mismatches in planning. The Quarter has narrow streets, but 99% of people drive there. Downtown #Phoenix has better access via transit, but the city stubbornly insists on maintaining multi-lane arterials there.
There are few things as frustrating as a community meeting in which half the speakers are talking about a different project than the one on the agenda. Today's meeting on light rail to the AZ State Capitol was derailed by endless off-topic comments on a separate plan for Indian School Road. #phoenix
December 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
There are few things as frustrating as a community meeting in which half the speakers are talking about a different project than the one on the agenda. Today's meeting on light rail to the AZ State Capitol was derailed by endless off-topic comments on a separate plan for Indian School Road. #phoenix
Reposted by David Bickford
As with disparate impact arguments against safety cameras and traffic enforcement generally, making a disparate impact argument against DUI enforcement is absurd—what about the Native, Black and Hispanic pedestrians and bicyclists disproportionally killed by drunk drivers?
December 13, 2025 at 1:56 AM
As with disparate impact arguments against safety cameras and traffic enforcement generally, making a disparate impact argument against DUI enforcement is absurd—what about the Native, Black and Hispanic pedestrians and bicyclists disproportionally killed by drunk drivers?
Allowing tiny cars to be sold in the U.S. sounds great at first, but it would be at the same time that vehicle safety and fuel economy standards are being relaxed. It will be hard to sell small cars if they are sharing roads with bloated SUVs and trucks. Few drivers will want to unilaterally disarm.
December 10, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Allowing tiny cars to be sold in the U.S. sounds great at first, but it would be at the same time that vehicle safety and fuel economy standards are being relaxed. It will be hard to sell small cars if they are sharing roads with bloated SUVs and trucks. Few drivers will want to unilaterally disarm.
Enjoyed seeing someone busking while Christmas shopping in a suburban area not prone to busking. Standing on a pedestrian island in the middle of the road was clever, putting him on public property right at the boundary between #Phoenix and #Scottsdale, so neither mall nor city would chase him away.
December 7, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Enjoyed seeing someone busking while Christmas shopping in a suburban area not prone to busking. Standing on a pedestrian island in the middle of the road was clever, putting him on public property right at the boundary between #Phoenix and #Scottsdale, so neither mall nor city would chase him away.
Reposted by David Bickford
It's such an example of American exceptionalism that even among the most leftist of Americans, they will refuse to use or acknowledge public transit unless it is the best it possibly could be, continuing to drive their cars instead. Like, if we don't have what the Netherlands have then it's garbage.
December 5, 2025 at 6:41 PM
It's such an example of American exceptionalism that even among the most leftist of Americans, they will refuse to use or acknowledge public transit unless it is the best it possibly could be, continuing to drive their cars instead. Like, if we don't have what the Netherlands have then it's garbage.
Yet more public meetings on light rail to the west side of #Phoenix. My take: The train should absolutely go to the AZ state capitol. Going farther west via I-10, however, doesn't make sense. Instead, use a route via Thomas and/or Indian School to serve Maryvale.
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Yet more public meetings on light rail to the west side of #Phoenix. My take: The train should absolutely go to the AZ state capitol. Going farther west via I-10, however, doesn't make sense. Instead, use a route via Thomas and/or Indian School to serve Maryvale.
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
Despite lamenting what Jeff Bezos has done to the editorial board and opinion page at his newspaper, I still subscribe to The Washington Post. For anyone who wants to read it, here's a gift link to yesterday's article on the struggle to implement Vision Zero in the United States: wapo.st/4pmTbIp
America’s plan to protect pedestrians failed. A young woman’s death reveals why.
U.S. officials adopted Europe's Vision Zero initiative, but many cities have seen an increase in pedestrian fatalities despite efforts to improve road safety.
wapo.st
December 5, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Despite lamenting what Jeff Bezos has done to the editorial board and opinion page at his newspaper, I still subscribe to The Washington Post. For anyone who wants to read it, here's a gift link to yesterday's article on the struggle to implement Vision Zero in the United States: wapo.st/4pmTbIp
Dismayed to learn that the longstanding and dependable Thai Lotus on 19th Avenue is being forced to relocate or close so that the landlord can build a McDonald’s drive-thru at the site. Not only does this endanger a small business, but it’s also anti-pedestrian development near light rail. #Phoenix
November 29, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Dismayed to learn that the longstanding and dependable Thai Lotus on 19th Avenue is being forced to relocate or close so that the landlord can build a McDonald’s drive-thru at the site. Not only does this endanger a small business, but it’s also anti-pedestrian development near light rail. #Phoenix
Over the weekend, a red light runner struck another car, killing two people and damaging the Baseline/Central light rail station in South #Phoenix. This tragic situation is being made even worse by local media running false headlines that imply to the casual reader that a train was somehow involved.
November 24, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Over the weekend, a red light runner struck another car, killing two people and damaging the Baseline/Central light rail station in South #Phoenix. This tragic situation is being made even worse by local media running false headlines that imply to the casual reader that a train was somehow involved.
Light rail to west #Phoenix is being reconsidered yet again. A line to the AZ state capitol should absolutely happen, no matter how much the legislature resists. I-10, on the other hand, has never been a good route. Thomas or Indian School would be far better.
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Light rail to west #Phoenix is being reconsidered yet again. A line to the AZ state capitol should absolutely happen, no matter how much the legislature resists. I-10, on the other hand, has never been a good route. Thomas or Indian School would be far better.
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
Know anyone who’s scared of public transportation? If you want to give them nightmares, show them this scary train at Spirit Halloween right by the real train at 19th Ave / Camelback in #phoenix.
It’s a pretty impressive display, more so than I’d expect for a store open only a few months a year.
It’s a pretty impressive display, more so than I’d expect for a store open only a few months a year.
October 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Know anyone who’s scared of public transportation? If you want to give them nightmares, show them this scary train at Spirit Halloween right by the real train at 19th Ave / Camelback in #phoenix.
It’s a pretty impressive display, more so than I’d expect for a store open only a few months a year.
It’s a pretty impressive display, more so than I’d expect for a store open only a few months a year.
Highlights of the weekend:
Thoroughly good: Watching the Mercury win the WNBA semifinals before enjoying a good dinner at Obon's new location in downtown #Phoenix
Bittersweet: Enjoying one last visit to the Gilbert Farmers Market before its unfortunate relocation to a giant parking lot in Chandler
Thoroughly good: Watching the Mercury win the WNBA semifinals before enjoying a good dinner at Obon's new location in downtown #Phoenix
Bittersweet: Enjoying one last visit to the Gilbert Farmers Market before its unfortunate relocation to a giant parking lot in Chandler
September 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Highlights of the weekend:
Thoroughly good: Watching the Mercury win the WNBA semifinals before enjoying a good dinner at Obon's new location in downtown #Phoenix
Bittersweet: Enjoying one last visit to the Gilbert Farmers Market before its unfortunate relocation to a giant parking lot in Chandler
Thoroughly good: Watching the Mercury win the WNBA semifinals before enjoying a good dinner at Obon's new location in downtown #Phoenix
Bittersweet: Enjoying one last visit to the Gilbert Farmers Market before its unfortunate relocation to a giant parking lot in Chandler
This is disappointing but not surprising. It seemed obvious that the vote by the #phoenix city council to conduct yet another study of the 7s was just a tactic to avoid action and maintain the status quo indefinitely. www.azfamily.com/2025/09/17/c...
City of Phoenix still without contractor for reverse lane study
Business owners are frustrated as the city of Phoenix promised a new reverse lane study, but no progress has been made.
www.azfamily.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
This is disappointing but not surprising. It seemed obvious that the vote by the #phoenix city council to conduct yet another study of the 7s was just a tactic to avoid action and maintain the status quo indefinitely. www.azfamily.com/2025/09/17/c...
I was never a big fan of the old Monti’s restaurant, but I share Michael’s nostalgia for the Mill Avenue of decades past. High-end places are fine, but a business district so close to a university campus needs the type of places that have left in recent years. www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/...
Once a party-school mecca, Mill Ave. wants to be your parents' dining destination
Tempe's college party district is moving on up, trading dive bars for high-end eateries. Will it leave students in the dust?
www.phoenixnewtimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I was never a big fan of the old Monti’s restaurant, but I share Michael’s nostalgia for the Mill Avenue of decades past. High-end places are fine, but a business district so close to a university campus needs the type of places that have left in recent years. www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/...
Watching the city council debate whether to rehire the retired former city manager is once again reinforcing my belief that #Phoenix has outgrown its weak mayor / city manager model of government. A revolving door of appointees, no matter how dedicated, prevents the bold changes needed for the city.
September 17, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Watching the city council debate whether to rehire the retired former city manager is once again reinforcing my belief that #Phoenix has outgrown its weak mayor / city manager model of government. A revolving door of appointees, no matter how dedicated, prevents the bold changes needed for the city.
If Sean Duffy were serious about transit safety, he might tie funding to crime statistics or earmark grant money for security improvements. Both could be reasonable if implemented properly. Instead, he is using crime to pursue a culture war agenda against transit. usa.streetsblog.org/2025/09/09/w...
White House Threatens Transit Cuts After Murder on N.C. Train — Streetsblog USA
A top White House official signaled he'd capitalize on a recent murder on a Charlotte, N.C. train to cut funding to transit systems across the country.
usa.streetsblog.org
September 11, 2025 at 12:01 AM
If Sean Duffy were serious about transit safety, he might tie funding to crime statistics or earmark grant money for security improvements. Both could be reasonable if implemented properly. Instead, he is using crime to pursue a culture war agenda against transit. usa.streetsblog.org/2025/09/09/w...
Despite the cringe-inducing phrase "avid cyclist" in the first sentence, this is an insightful article about the vicious cycle that car dependency has created for our children. I'm fortunate mine were able to walk safely to our local elementary school, but many are not so fortunate.
wapo.st/41r8xSn
wapo.st/41r8xSn
Kids need freedom. Dangerous roads make it hard to grant it.
Bigger cars, distracted drivers and worried parents mean fewer kids are roaming freely.
wapo.st
August 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Despite the cringe-inducing phrase "avid cyclist" in the first sentence, this is an insightful article about the vicious cycle that car dependency has created for our children. I'm fortunate mine were able to walk safely to our local elementary school, but many are not so fortunate.
wapo.st/41r8xSn
wapo.st/41r8xSn
It's unfortunate that historic homes and businesses are in jeopardy due to the proposed light rail extension to the Arizona State Capitol. This dilemma exists only because former Governor Ducey and legislative Republicans forced a change in the planned route.
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/histori...
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/histori...
New light rail line could raze historic Phoenix homes, residents fear
Woodland Historic District residents say five houses would go if Valley Metro picks an extension route through the area.
www.phoenixnewtimes.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:18 PM
It's unfortunate that historic homes and businesses are in jeopardy due to the proposed light rail extension to the Arizona State Capitol. This dilemma exists only because former Governor Ducey and legislative Republicans forced a change in the planned route.
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/histori...
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/histori...
Interesting perspective on the new light rail extension in South #Phoenix. Mostly positive with some valid criticism that raises a dilemma: One of the best ways to add shade is to allow multi-story development, but that feeds fears of gentrification and displacement. www.calonews.com/arizona/we-t...
We took a trip on the new light rail to south Phoenix with Chispa. Here’s what we learned
Community members attended an educational ride-along with Chispa Arizona.
www.calonews.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Interesting perspective on the new light rail extension in South #Phoenix. Mostly positive with some valid criticism that raises a dilemma: One of the best ways to add shade is to allow multi-story development, but that feeds fears of gentrification and displacement. www.calonews.com/arizona/we-t...
Would it be too much to ask for more restaurants to serve portions halfway between the Olive Garden and Ozempic? Maybe a quarter-pound burger (a big deal when McDonald's introduced its version in the '70s) instead of a half-pound monstrosity or a two-ounce slider?
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/d...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/d...
Ozempic Is Shrinking Appetites. Restaurants Are Shrinking the Food.
www.nytimes.com
August 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Would it be too much to ask for more restaurants to serve portions halfway between the Olive Garden and Ozempic? Maybe a quarter-pound burger (a big deal when McDonald's introduced its version in the '70s) instead of a half-pound monstrosity or a two-ounce slider?
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/d...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/d...
This ruling concerns a specific project in the small town of Page near the Utah border, but there could be a statewide impact in terms of votes to second guess local government decisions. I can only hope that voters will support safer, more productive streets. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2025/08...
Arizona Supreme Court ruling gives residents more power to block local projects | Arizona Capitol Times
A small town fight in the Arizona Supreme Court has led to a new ruling making it easier for residents across the state to block locally approved projects.
azcapitoltimes.com
August 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
This ruling concerns a specific project in the small town of Page near the Utah border, but there could be a statewide impact in terms of votes to second guess local government decisions. I can only hope that voters will support safer, more productive streets. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2025/08...