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kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers)
@kateontransport.bsky.social
6.2K followers 2.5K following 620 posts

Mobility justice/transportation equity/urban planning and policy. Chicago!!! Proud union member (UIC United Faculty). Day job @ @uiccuppa.bsky.social

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kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · Apr 7
Appreciate insightful coverage @keawilson.bsky.social @usa.streetsblog.org on our collaboration (@annalivia.bsky.social & Frechette) on walkability & inherent problems of Walk Score as tied to inequitable, racialized investment flows fueling destination proximity usa.streetsblog.org/2025/04/07/i...
Is 'Walk Score' Really Just a 'White Score'? — Streetsblog USA
A new paper argues that the popular real estate tools is driving investment to predominantly white urban neighborhoods, without expanding walkability for anyone else.
usa.streetsblog.org

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 18h
As usual, great coverage @blockclubchi.bsky.social on delivery bots. Also, as usual, tech hype claiming common good. If avoiding burrito taxies is our real rationale, lets support safe bike infrastructure? Bots are a pedestrian/roller/labor issue. blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/08/d...

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 21h
Bots are not what we need on our sidewalks (impacts for people's mobility especially those who use mobility aids; jobs; ceding to the tech hype and VC, etc).
bedubble.bsky.social Brandon @bedubble.bsky.social · 21h
If you’re upset about this, sign this petition:
charleswlogan.bsky.social Charles Logan @charleswlogan.bsky.social · 9d
For my Chicago neighbors, here's the petition to sign to oppose the delivery robots: nosidewalkbots.org

Reposted by Kate Lowe

bedubble.bsky.social
Brandon @bedubble.bsky.social · 21h
If you’re upset about this, sign this petition:
charleswlogan.bsky.social Charles Logan @charleswlogan.bsky.social · 9d
For my Chicago neighbors, here's the petition to sign to oppose the delivery robots: nosidewalkbots.org

Reposted by Will Jennings, Cathy N. Davidson, Glenn H. Shepard , and 2 more

kevinmkruse.bsky.social
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 1d
This really is a must read for anyone in academia.
When my business school colleagues insist that ChatGPT is “just another tool in the toolbox,” I’m tempted to remind them that Facebook was once “just a way to connect with friends.” But there’s a difference between tools and technologies. Tools help us accomplish tasks; technologies reshape the very environments in which we think, work, and relate. As philosopher Peter Hershock observes, we don’t merely use technologies; we participate in them. With tools, we retain agency—we can choose when and how to use them. With technologies, the choice is subtler: they remake the conditions of choice itself. A pen extends communication without redefining it; social media transformed what we mean by privacy, friendship, even truth.

Reposted by Kate Lowe

lauragmitchell.com
Laura G Mitchell @lauragmitchell.com · 4d
Winter makes a city’s transportation priorities extra obvious:

Bikelane: nonexistent on this street

Sidewalk: covered in snow with a caregiver getting a major workout pushing a stroller through

Street: perfectly cleared for drivers

We can and should do better @minneapolismn.gov .
Caregiver pushing a stroller over a snow covered sidewalk while the street is clear of snow

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 4d
Integration has taken a while and is still a process (much gratitude to the Treehouse Human Society cat behavioralist) but these two smart kitties can chill together. Oh, and yes, I am procrastinating grading...

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 5d
Shutting down detention an important goal, but levying fees for their very real collective costs an important part of the toolkit?

Reposted by Kate Lowe

portlandmercury.com
Portland Mercury @portlandmercury.com · 5d
Portland City Council passed a new land use fee targeting the impacts of detention facilities after months of munitions use at the South Portland ICE building.

✍️ @jeremiahhayden.bsky.social
City Council Puts Financial Crackdown On Detention Facilities
Amid increased police overtime costs and complaints about environmental contaminants related to a local immigration processing center, Portland City Council passed a new land use fee December 3, targe...
www.portlandmercury.com

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 6d
Coming soon...we're wrapping excellent work by amazing @uiccuppa.bsky.social undergrad in collaboration with @swcollectivechi.bsky.social on pedestrian safety & Pulaski

Reposted by Kate Lowe

rudyfaust.bsky.social
Rudy Faust @rudyfaust.bsky.social · 6d
I know that none of these people care about low-income communities--if they did, they'd just work on better transit and housing access--but A/Vs would increase local particulate matter pollution with EV congestion: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Comparison of total PM emissions emitted from electric and internal combustion engine vehicles: An experimental analysis
Electric vehicles (EVs) are regarded as zero emission vehicles due to the absence of exhaust emissions. However, they still contribute non-exhaust par…
www.sciencedirect.com

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 10d
I love my alphasmart word processor. No internet, no other applications. Then, just plug it into your computer with word or docs open and it "types" all your writing. Here's an article about it guypursey.com/blog/2021062...
My AlphaSmart Neo experience – Guy Pursey
Like a few people interested in writing, technology, and the creative process, I recently bought an AlphaSmart Neo.
guypursey.com

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 12d
Great news! Removal of US DOT/FTA grant provision trying to force cooperation with immigration enforcement based on court ruling.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 13d
As much as I think AI is harmful for a variety of reasons, I don't really expect public transit agencies to turn down their money (meanwhile some universities are eager to give ai firms money)

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 13d
If only all the ai venture capital went into collective, sustainable goods...

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 13d
Creepy ai "friend" necklace advertising heavy UIC stop of @chicagocta.bsky.social Blue Line (nice frequency btw). At least some of the venture capital money is going to public transit???

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 14d
Love this! And no, millionaires didn't move...
kennyuong.bsky.social Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 15d
Funds generated by Massachusetts' Fair Share Amendment (aka the millionaire’s tax) help regional transit agencies expand service! You love to see it!! 👏🏾🚌

Response from Jim Nee, Administrator & Executive Director of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (@mwrta.bsky.social)
"Very True! At @MWRTA the new operating funds have allowed us to expand service by 30% (nights, Sundays, and more frequency on weekdays). The grants included in annual funding bills have supported the expansion of MicroTransit, and allowed us to launch the 495 Connector."

Reposted by Kate Lowe

kennyuong.bsky.social
Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 15d
Funds generated by Massachusetts' Fair Share Amendment (aka the millionaire’s tax) help regional transit agencies expand service! You love to see it!! 👏🏾🚌

Response from Jim Nee, Administrator & Executive Director of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (@mwrta.bsky.social)
"Very True! At @MWRTA the new operating funds have allowed us to expand service by 30% (nights, Sundays, and more frequency on weekdays). The grants included in annual funding bills have supported the expansion of MicroTransit, and allowed us to launch the 495 Connector."

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 22d
Another reminder that it's expensive to be low-income/not a home-owner: $4.50 was the cheapest washer I could find at my closest laundromat. Amazingly more convenient when my washer isn't down, but also a big cost saver.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 25d
This is what leadership looks like! @uofilsystem.bsky.social

Reposted by Kate Lowe

cbgoodman.co
Chris Goodman @cbgoodman.co · 25d
Meanwhile, my President and Provost are out there saying they refuse to compromise on our institutional goals for diversity and equity.
Lisa Freeman reiterates commitment to NIU goals at University Council
DeKALB – NIU President Lisa Freeman reaffirmed NIU’s core goals for 2026 before University Council on Wednesday. Freeman, as she did for Faculty Senate last Wednesday, reiterated NIU’s 2026 goals, exp...
northernstar.info

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 25d
At faculty senate, our chancellor implied DEI hiring & promotion changes were unavoidable U of I mandate . I'm cynical. It seems many administrators won't risk their jobs for critical principles (her "don't let the words get in the way of the work" can be true but at other times a smokescreen).

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 25d
Top-down elimination of DEI in hiring & promotion by @uofilsystem.bsky.social make me suspicious regarding UIC announcement: Office of Diversity & Equity will be "renamed and reoriented" to "engagement". Don't want to belabor names, but is unnecessary retreat esp. given @govpritzker.illinois.gov

Reposted by Kate Lowe

davidpowe.bsky.social
David Powe @davidpowe.bsky.social · 28d
PUBLIC MEETING ALERT: Illinois is updating its Statewide Transit Plan, setting a long term vision for how we fund, expand & improve public transportation across the state. Virtual meeting info:

Nov 15 at 10am
Nov 18 at 12pm
Nov 18 at 7pm

Register & PLEASE SHARE: idot.illinois.gov/transportati...
Next Move Illinois
Public transportation is an essential way for people to travel throughout the state of Illinois. Next Move Illinois is a successor to the 2018 Illinois Statewide Public Transportation Plan. The goal o...
idot.illinois.gov

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · Nov 7
Happy @chicagocta.bsky.social is doing engagement to substantially improve bus service on key corridors with Better Streets for Buses. Thrilled with operations & capital funding in the transit bill (thanks to those who made it happen) that can support increased frequency & capital projects!

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · Nov 6
Do love the idea of a city-owned bus terminal! Great idea from @mayorofchicago.bsky.social & team! Don't love that some yucky firms making money from the deal, but that's our real estate/private equity/late capitalism landscape(Conway's critique doesn't feel sincere given whole his whole ethos)
wonkicorn.bsky.social David Zoltan (he/they) @wonkicorn.bsky.social · Nov 6
Agreed. Having this as a city resource would be ideal. Integration with the rest of the transit system even better.
sorenspicknall.bsky.social Soren Spicknall @sorenspicknall.bsky.social · Nov 6
IMO this is a really good move if the city can make it happen.

Reposted by Kate Lowe

wonkicorn.bsky.social
David Zoltan (he/they) @wonkicorn.bsky.social · Nov 6
Agreed. Having this as a city resource would be ideal. Integration with the rest of the transit system even better.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · Nov 6
When celebrities are seeing the problems of AI...why don't university administrators? Also, a little funny. But not funny when labor (@aft.org) is partnering when it should be resisting the very premise.

kateontransport.bsky.social
Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · Nov 5
Thrilled about so much in the public transit bill! More $, coordination, TOD!! Congrats to many! Still concerning loss of electoral leverage for Chi folks. Many groups concentrated in Chi (305,989 carfree households=82% of Cook's carless). & fear Rauner repeat.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/t...
Transit reform measure shifts CTA control from Chicago mayor. Lawmaker says that’s an ‘asset.’
As state lawmakers raced to pass a $1.5 billion plan to overhaul regional mass transportation, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office lost control over the CTA board.
www.chicagotribune.com

Reposted by Silvia Secchi, Daniel Huppmann, Paul Fisher , and 3 more

costasamaras.com
Costa Samaras @costasamaras.com · Nov 5
tired: leaders throw folks under the bus

wired: leaders invite folks on the bus in a dedicated lane