George Spies
@georgespies.bsky.social
Safe streets, active transpo, dense urbanism, everybody in, nobody out. I like making stuff. Active member of Traffic Violence Rapid Response as well as Seamless Bay Area.
Reposted by George Spies
“Between 2010 and 2022, structural fires in Berkeley injured an average of 2 people per year, while between just 2017 and 2022, traffic accidents injured or killed an average of 694 people annually.”
New post: a week of hectic back and forth with fire officials and city council over Berkeley street festivals brings out into the open a conflict in city halls across USA. Fire depts opposition to traffic calming and safety measures. Is there a solution?
darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-fire-d...
darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-fire-d...
The Fire Department vs. Traffic Safety Advocates
Street safety advocates are butting heads with fire officials. Swift fire response does not have to come at the cost of lives on the roadway.
darrellowens.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:31 PM
“Between 2010 and 2022, structural fires in Berkeley injured an average of 2 people per year, while between just 2017 and 2022, traffic accidents injured or killed an average of 694 people annually.”
Always the best happy hour for connecting with fellow car-frees! Come in!
Join us for a holiday East Bay Car Free Happy Hour at:
Cornerstone Berkeley
Wednesday, December 17, 5:30pm
2367 Shattuck Ave
AC Transit lines F, 18, 51B, 6, 7, 36, Downtown Berkeley BART
Spread the word! Bring a friend! Wear your transit finery!
Cornerstone Berkeley
Wednesday, December 17, 5:30pm
2367 Shattuck Ave
AC Transit lines F, 18, 51B, 6, 7, 36, Downtown Berkeley BART
Spread the word! Bring a friend! Wear your transit finery!
December 7, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Always the best happy hour for connecting with fellow car-frees! Come in!
Reposted by George Spies
“An ICE agent lured Wilmer out of his home under false pretenses, posing as a construction worker who claimed to have hit Wilmer’s car and needed him to step outside to verify. Another agent, accompanied by a dog, was hiding nearby and released the dog on Wilmer shortly after he stepped outside.”
My constituent, Wilmer, was mauled by an ICE attack dog despite the fact that, as he has consistently explained, he was not resisting arrest or trying to flee—his wife and young children, all U.S. citizens, were forced to watch helplessly as Wilmer was violently attacked and dragged away.
December 6, 2025 at 1:09 PM
“An ICE agent lured Wilmer out of his home under false pretenses, posing as a construction worker who claimed to have hit Wilmer’s car and needed him to step outside to verify. Another agent, accompanied by a dog, was hiding nearby and released the dog on Wilmer shortly after he stepped outside.”
Reposted by George Spies
I say this as someone who uses Ai at work and basically was told I had to:
Ai is the new car
We should have regulated the shit out of their use in some places but we didn't and now we struggle to roll it back
Guess what stupid shit we're going to do with Ai?
Ai is the new car
We should have regulated the shit out of their use in some places but we didn't and now we struggle to roll it back
Guess what stupid shit we're going to do with Ai?
December 5, 2025 at 11:14 PM
I say this as someone who uses Ai at work and basically was told I had to:
Ai is the new car
We should have regulated the shit out of their use in some places but we didn't and now we struggle to roll it back
Guess what stupid shit we're going to do with Ai?
Ai is the new car
We should have regulated the shit out of their use in some places but we didn't and now we struggle to roll it back
Guess what stupid shit we're going to do with Ai?
Reposted by George Spies
Starting Dec 10, most Bay Area transit transfers will be free for two hours. If you take AC Transit to BART then transfer to Muni, your fare today is $9.10. With Clipper 2, the free AC and Muni transfers mean your fare will be just $3.90
1/
1/
December 3, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Starting Dec 10, most Bay Area transit transfers will be free for two hours. If you take AC Transit to BART then transfer to Muni, your fare today is $9.10. With Clipper 2, the free AC and Muni transfers mean your fare will be just $3.90
1/
1/
Reposted by George Spies
The metric should not be whether drivers hate it. The metric should be whether it makes our streets safer for everyone. And by all accounts this accomplished that. That’s more than worth a few seconds of all of our time
Despite the anger, San Francisco’s new piece of street infrastructure decreased injury collisions and dropped average speeds at that location to 11 miles per hour.
S.F. installed an experimental street design called a ‘neckdown.’ Drivers hated it
Despite the anger, San Francisco’s new piece of street infrastructure decreased injury collisions and dropped average speeds at that location to 11 miles per hour.
bit.ly
December 5, 2025 at 4:08 AM
The metric should not be whether drivers hate it. The metric should be whether it makes our streets safer for everyone. And by all accounts this accomplished that. That’s more than worth a few seconds of all of our time
Jesus Fucking Christ.
What we need are for consequences to flow uphill, rather than down.
What we need are for consequences to flow uphill, rather than down.
L.A. redesigned a road to slow traffic. People fought to reverse the safety improvements and won. Then one of the advocates hit and killed a woman walking her dog (the dog died too).
This should be a lawsuit. The city is liable along with the driver.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...
This should be a lawsuit. The city is liable along with the driver.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...
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.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Jesus Fucking Christ.
What we need are for consequences to flow uphill, rather than down.
What we need are for consequences to flow uphill, rather than down.
Reposted by George Spies
And this is very much *not* an artifact of history.
There is a large, master planned redevelopment of a commercial block (demolition is happening currently) where the multi-family housing is *clearly* being used as a buffer between the townhomes/single family houses and the freeway.
There is a large, master planned redevelopment of a commercial block (demolition is happening currently) where the multi-family housing is *clearly* being used as a buffer between the townhomes/single family houses and the freeway.
December 4, 2025 at 9:58 PM
And this is very much *not* an artifact of history.
There is a large, master planned redevelopment of a commercial block (demolition is happening currently) where the multi-family housing is *clearly* being used as a buffer between the townhomes/single family houses and the freeway.
There is a large, master planned redevelopment of a commercial block (demolition is happening currently) where the multi-family housing is *clearly* being used as a buffer between the townhomes/single family houses and the freeway.
Reposted by George Spies
I'm sorry, I just have to pop off again on that NYT e-bike piece.
The fatality rate for e-bike injuries is 11%?? You're saying that one out of every 9 times someone hurts themselves on an e-bike, they die?
That is just so mind-blowingly incorrect, I don't know where to start.
The fatality rate for e-bike injuries is 11%?? You're saying that one out of every 9 times someone hurts themselves on an e-bike, they die?
That is just so mind-blowingly incorrect, I don't know where to start.
December 4, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I'm sorry, I just have to pop off again on that NYT e-bike piece.
The fatality rate for e-bike injuries is 11%?? You're saying that one out of every 9 times someone hurts themselves on an e-bike, they die?
That is just so mind-blowingly incorrect, I don't know where to start.
The fatality rate for e-bike injuries is 11%?? You're saying that one out of every 9 times someone hurts themselves on an e-bike, they die?
That is just so mind-blowingly incorrect, I don't know where to start.
Reposted by George Spies
Tell me: if your politicians do not ride public transit, then why do you expect public transit to improve?
December 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Tell me: if your politicians do not ride public transit, then why do you expect public transit to improve?
Entirely valid. Waymo may improve on safety (as long as they are programmed that way), but they don’t solve the basic geometry problem and they may well worsen it as they scale. Urban density, mixed use neighborhoods, and high transit service levels are tried, true, and better.
Waymo is a very wealthy company. And I don’t even necessarily think they are sinister or anything.
But they are doing a serious PR blitz right now, which is their prerogative. People need to be cautious to distinguish company PR and talking points from objective assessments
But they are doing a serious PR blitz right now, which is their prerogative. People need to be cautious to distinguish company PR and talking points from objective assessments
December 4, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Entirely valid. Waymo may improve on safety (as long as they are programmed that way), but they don’t solve the basic geometry problem and they may well worsen it as they scale. Urban density, mixed use neighborhoods, and high transit service levels are tried, true, and better.
A police assassination meant to stop a liberation movement. Find a way to watch The Murder of Fred Hampton. Great film about this story.
Today in History: Fred Hampton and Mark Clark of the Black Panther Party killed in Chicago
Today in History: Fred Hampton and Mark Clark of the Black Panther Party killed in Chicago
On Dec. 4, 1969, Fred Hampton and Mark Clark of the Black Panther Party were shot and killed during a raid by Chicago police.
trib.al
December 4, 2025 at 11:38 AM
A police assassination meant to stop a liberation movement. Find a way to watch The Murder of Fred Hampton. Great film about this story.
Reposted by George Spies
I swear maybe once a decade in public, and this is the moment. This fucking racist and all the gibbering racists nodding along behind him are the ruination of our country. Our fucking job for the next fucking year is to fucking destroy them in the next election. Fuck them.
Trump, continued: "What the Somalian people have done to Minnesota is not even believable. It’s not even believable. And a lot of it starts with the governor. A lot of it starts with Barack HUSSEIN Obama, because that’s when people started coming in... They want to kiss our country good night."
December 4, 2025 at 2:13 AM
I swear maybe once a decade in public, and this is the moment. This fucking racist and all the gibbering racists nodding along behind him are the ruination of our country. Our fucking job for the next fucking year is to fucking destroy them in the next election. Fuck them.
Transit!
This composition had eluded me for nearly a decade, but yesterday I was finally able to capture it. A train rolled through just as the Duquesne Incline was crossing over the tracks in #Pittsburgh, creating a picture perfect winter scene. It was worth the hours and hours I've waited over the years.
December 4, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Transit!
Hats off to everyone who has played a part in working towards a fully safe bike path around the lake!
Soon, kids will have a prime place to feel the breeze in their faces and be fully part of our city. And all the rest of us too, of course…
Soon, kids will have a prime place to feel the breeze in their faces and be fully part of our city. And all the rest of us too, of course…
In 2023 after the death of Maia Correia, Bike East Bay published this "Lake Merritt Loop" concept for a continuous protected facility all the way around the lake.
Just 4 years later in 2027 it's going to be be 94% complete.
bikeeastbay.org/campaigns/la...
Just 4 years later in 2027 it's going to be be 94% complete.
bikeeastbay.org/campaigns/la...
Lake Merritt Loop - Bike East Bay
A fully protected and continuous 2-way cycletrack loop around Lake Merritt in Oakland
bikeeastbay.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Hats off to everyone who has played a part in working towards a fully safe bike path around the lake!
Soon, kids will have a prime place to feel the breeze in their faces and be fully part of our city. And all the rest of us too, of course…
Soon, kids will have a prime place to feel the breeze in their faces and be fully part of our city. And all the rest of us too, of course…
Reposted by George Spies
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
December 2, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
PG&E is in my street, replacing the main gas line for six blocks. Then, they’re going to come through and re-do the service to each house. Five months work for multiple crews, heavy machinery, then a full repave.
Wouldn’t it be cheaper, @volts.wtf , if they just electrified every house instead?
Wouldn’t it be cheaper, @volts.wtf , if they just electrified every house instead?
December 2, 2025 at 11:11 PM
PG&E is in my street, replacing the main gas line for six blocks. Then, they’re going to come through and re-do the service to each house. Five months work for multiple crews, heavy machinery, then a full repave.
Wouldn’t it be cheaper, @volts.wtf , if they just electrified every house instead?
Wouldn’t it be cheaper, @volts.wtf , if they just electrified every house instead?
Reposted by George Spies
This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥
December 1, 2025 at 11:09 AM
This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥
Whoever the fuck said this to Tom can fuck all the way off. Either we all belong or we are all at risk. Our trans family are family. Fascists, OTOH, can wander the barren desert alone until they see the light.
Was recently told to essentially “Shut up and stick to bike advocacy” after a post supporting the trans community.
1. GTFO
2. My voice is not some singular thing - bike advocacy is a small part of my makeup-you don’t like me or my position on things refer to point 1
Signed,
Me
1. GTFO
2. My voice is not some singular thing - bike advocacy is a small part of my makeup-you don’t like me or my position on things refer to point 1
Signed,
Me
November 30, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Whoever the fuck said this to Tom can fuck all the way off. Either we all belong or we are all at risk. Our trans family are family. Fascists, OTOH, can wander the barren desert alone until they see the light.
Reposted by George Spies
Ex-official explained this in a way that will stick with me forever: Within fire departments, the EMTs are overworked and underpaid and don’t have time to advocate for policy. The fire chiefs, on the other hand, have a lot more time on their hands. So fire response, not medical, dictates policy.
November 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Ex-official explained this in a way that will stick with me forever: Within fire departments, the EMTs are overworked and underpaid and don’t have time to advocate for policy. The fire chiefs, on the other hand, have a lot more time on their hands. So fire response, not medical, dictates policy.
👇🏼
Creating a military conflict with Venezuela gives this administration a legal "hook" to invoke the Alien Enemies Act. In other words, the foreign war is being manufactured in order to facilitate court deference for its domestic mass deportation policy. It's a Stephen Miller Special.
November 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
👇🏼
Reposted by George Spies
Unfortunately, in US journalism it is considered neutral to spread a lie, but it is considered "biased" to call out a lie. So, there is a structural asymmetry that rewards colorful lies with virality.
November 30, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Unfortunately, in US journalism it is considered neutral to spread a lie, but it is considered "biased" to call out a lie. So, there is a structural asymmetry that rewards colorful lies with virality.
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you’ve seen in the wild:
River otters
Tule elk
Quail
Rabbit
Coyote
(All seen last weekend in Point Reyes)
River otters
Tule elk
Quail
Rabbit
Coyote
(All seen last weekend in Point Reyes)
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you’ve seen in the wild:
Moose
Stoplight parrotfish
Box turtle
Elephant
Wild horse
Moose
Stoplight parrotfish
Box turtle
Elephant
Wild horse
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Caribou
Ravens
Seals
Kea
Turkeys
Caribou
Ravens
Seals
Kea
Turkeys
November 29, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you’ve seen in the wild:
River otters
Tule elk
Quail
Rabbit
Coyote
(All seen last weekend in Point Reyes)
River otters
Tule elk
Quail
Rabbit
Coyote
(All seen last weekend in Point Reyes)
Reposted by George Spies
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. After two men survived, the mission commander ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, according to two sources.
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
True not only of self-driving cars, but also of a lot else. Much of our built environment, wherever we find it, has been generated in the same unmanaged scramble for profit.
All of this feels like blind #solutionism. These things get rolled out because corporations expect profit, not because there’s any coherent public vision guiding them. There’s no proper framework shaping the direction, nor are cascading consequences of these shortsighted decisions properly assessed.
Really can't overstate how problematic robotaxis become at scale:
"Urban traffic is constrained by the fact that getting around by car either requires (expensively) paying someone else to drive or (inconveniently) driving oneself. Without such constraints the result could be brutal gridlock."
"Urban traffic is constrained by the fact that getting around by car either requires (expensively) paying someone else to drive or (inconveniently) driving oneself. Without such constraints the result could be brutal gridlock."
November 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
True not only of self-driving cars, but also of a lot else. Much of our built environment, wherever we find it, has been generated in the same unmanaged scramble for profit.