Lauren
@lpangborn.bsky.social
Product designer
Urbanist and bike advocate in Spokane
Columnist for @rangemedia.co
Urbanist and bike advocate in Spokane
Columnist for @rangemedia.co
Pinned
Lauren
@lpangborn.bsky.social
· Nov 9
Trello
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Alright new to the neighborhood.
Here’s some stuff that you might like:
- Spokane bicycle infrastructure project tracker: trello.com/b/eFMhFOsB/u...
- And a map of current and future infrastructure: felt.com/map/2030-Net...
Here’s some stuff that you might like:
- Spokane bicycle infrastructure project tracker: trello.com/b/eFMhFOsB/u...
- And a map of current and future infrastructure: felt.com/map/2030-Net...
Reposted by Lauren
Today at 5pm, #Spokane’s Transportation Commission will hear public testimony on a plan to restripe Grand Boulevard to improve safety for pedestrians and reduce the severity of crashes.
February 18, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Today at 5pm, #Spokane’s Transportation Commission will hear public testimony on a plan to restripe Grand Boulevard to improve safety for pedestrians and reduce the severity of crashes.
Reposted by Lauren
HB2095 passed the House with a 53-44 vote!! Thank you everyone who contacted their Reps, and thank you @staterepjuliareed.bsky.social for your tireless efforts to shift liability to drivers who hit people in crosswalks, bike lanes, and sidewalks.
Safer drivers means safer streets.
Safer drivers means safer streets.
Huge thank you to @wabikes.bsky.social, to @wabike.bsky.social who helped develop the first version of this bill, and to every single person who emailed a member about this bill. You made it happen. Now let’s get ready to do it again at hyper speed in the senate! #waleg
February 18, 2026 at 7:57 PM
HB2095 passed the House with a 53-44 vote!! Thank you everyone who contacted their Reps, and thank you @staterepjuliareed.bsky.social for your tireless efforts to shift liability to drivers who hit people in crosswalks, bike lanes, and sidewalks.
Safer drivers means safer streets.
Safer drivers means safer streets.
This speed-bump-in-a-bulbout is super interesting.
The city of Spokane has corners where it’s wanted to build bulbouts with flex posts but the intended bulbout radius prevents fire truck access, so it ends up painting the bulbout instead.
Imagine if this corner had a speed bump in it!
The city of Spokane has corners where it’s wanted to build bulbouts with flex posts but the intended bulbout radius prevents fire truck access, so it ends up painting the bulbout instead.
Imagine if this corner had a speed bump in it!
February 18, 2026 at 7:29 PM
This speed-bump-in-a-bulbout is super interesting.
The city of Spokane has corners where it’s wanted to build bulbouts with flex posts but the intended bulbout radius prevents fire truck access, so it ends up painting the bulbout instead.
Imagine if this corner had a speed bump in it!
The city of Spokane has corners where it’s wanted to build bulbouts with flex posts but the intended bulbout radius prevents fire truck access, so it ends up painting the bulbout instead.
Imagine if this corner had a speed bump in it!
I’m planning not one, not two, but THREE trips
to ride bikes on car-free national park mountain passes in the next few months
In order:
- North Cascades
- Mount Rainier
- Glacier
to ride bikes on car-free national park mountain passes in the next few months
In order:
- North Cascades
- Mount Rainier
- Glacier
February 18, 2026 at 6:50 PM
I’m planning not one, not two, but THREE trips
to ride bikes on car-free national park mountain passes in the next few months
In order:
- North Cascades
- Mount Rainier
- Glacier
to ride bikes on car-free national park mountain passes in the next few months
In order:
- North Cascades
- Mount Rainier
- Glacier
Reposted by Lauren
People walk more in places that make it easier to walk.
Want to walk more without trying? Move here
Researchers found that walkable city design—not personal motivation—was the key factor behind people taking 1,100 more steps per day
www.scientificamerican.com
February 18, 2026 at 2:20 PM
People walk more in places that make it easier to walk.
Reposted by Lauren
Bills in the Washington legislature that are dead for 2026 include:
-even year local elections
-design review reform
-passenger rail advisory commission
-capping VMT in regional transpo plans
-mobile dwelling units
-frontage improvement reform
-expired car tab pentalities
-declaring 11/22 Kimchi Day
-even year local elections
-design review reform
-passenger rail advisory commission
-capping VMT in regional transpo plans
-mobile dwelling units
-frontage improvement reform
-expired car tab pentalities
-declaring 11/22 Kimchi Day
February 18, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Bills in the Washington legislature that are dead for 2026 include:
-even year local elections
-design review reform
-passenger rail advisory commission
-capping VMT in regional transpo plans
-mobile dwelling units
-frontage improvement reform
-expired car tab pentalities
-declaring 11/22 Kimchi Day
-even year local elections
-design review reform
-passenger rail advisory commission
-capping VMT in regional transpo plans
-mobile dwelling units
-frontage improvement reform
-expired car tab pentalities
-declaring 11/22 Kimchi Day
Reposted by Lauren
A 41-7 vote in the Washington State Senate advances a proposal that would allow builders more flexibility to install smaller elevators in smaller apartment buildings, a small step toward bringing U.S. elevator costs more in line with the rest of the world.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/02/17/w...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/02/17/w...
Washington’s Elevator Reform Bill Rises Again » The Urbanist
# The 41-7 vote in the Washington State Senate advances a proposal that would allow builders more flexibility to install smaller elevators in smaller apartment buildings, a small step toward bringing ...
www.theurbanist.org
February 17, 2026 at 10:53 PM
A 41-7 vote in the Washington State Senate advances a proposal that would allow builders more flexibility to install smaller elevators in smaller apartment buildings, a small step toward bringing U.S. elevator costs more in line with the rest of the world.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/02/17/w...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/02/17/w...
Reposted by Lauren
WA's bill to allow housing in commericial zones SB 6026 passed the Senate today 36 -12.
It's a good housing abundance bill that could be even better if it didn't exempt so much land from its provision to make ground floor commercial optional.
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
It's a good housing abundance bill that could be even better if it didn't exempt so much land from its provision to make ground floor commercial optional.
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
February 14, 2026 at 1:19 AM
WA's bill to allow housing in commericial zones SB 6026 passed the Senate today 36 -12.
It's a good housing abundance bill that could be even better if it didn't exempt so much land from its provision to make ground floor commercial optional.
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
It's a good housing abundance bill that could be even better if it didn't exempt so much land from its provision to make ground floor commercial optional.
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
Reposted by Lauren
HB2095 would strengthen accountability for drivers who hit people biking and walking -- let's get it through the House by emailing your Reps to tell them to Vote Yes! cascade.quorum.us/campaign/155...
February 14, 2026 at 12:14 AM
HB2095 would strengthen accountability for drivers who hit people biking and walking -- let's get it through the House by emailing your Reps to tell them to Vote Yes! cascade.quorum.us/campaign/155...
Reposted by Lauren
By a 41-7 vote, the Washington Senate just directed the state's building code council to adopt updated regulations for elevators in buildings with up to six stories or 24 units, "minimally sized to meet federal accessibility requirements."
The final version:
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
The final version:
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
February 13, 2026 at 10:28 PM
By a 41-7 vote, the Washington Senate just directed the state's building code council to adopt updated regulations for elevators in buildings with up to six stories or 24 units, "minimally sized to meet federal accessibility requirements."
The final version:
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
The final version:
lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/202...
Reposted by Lauren
One of the coolest streets in Manhattan is Stone St. A former road that's been converted into outdoor dining. Pike Place could go this route and provide so much more revenue opportunities for restaurants, and better dining options for patrons.
February 12, 2026 at 9:11 PM
One of the coolest streets in Manhattan is Stone St. A former road that's been converted into outdoor dining. Pike Place could go this route and provide so much more revenue opportunities for restaurants, and better dining options for patrons.
Reposted by Lauren
A bill has passed the House in Washington State to form a technical advisory group to study the issue of scissor stairs app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?...
HB 2228 Washington State Legislature
app.leg.wa.gov
February 12, 2026 at 10:35 PM
A bill has passed the House in Washington State to form a technical advisory group to study the issue of scissor stairs app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?...
Reposted by Lauren
Incredible update: "This article was updated to note that CNN reports there were at least four party balloons shot down by DOD, not just one."
gizmodo.com/one-mexican-...
gizmodo.com/one-mexican-...
Mexican Cartel 'Drones' Near El Paso Airspace Were Actually Party Balloons: Report
FAA initially ordered the closure of airspace over El Paso for 10 days before backtracking.
gizmodo.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Incredible update: "This article was updated to note that CNN reports there were at least four party balloons shot down by DOD, not just one."
gizmodo.com/one-mexican-...
gizmodo.com/one-mexican-...
Reposted by Lauren
Our argument is simple but radical: transportation policy should maximize access, not movement.
For a century, we’ve measured success by car throughput and speed. But that's only a means. The end is connecting people to destinations they value.
We've been measuring, then building, the wrong thing.
For a century, we’ve measured success by car throughput and speed. But that's only a means. The end is connecting people to destinations they value.
We've been measuring, then building, the wrong thing.
February 11, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Our argument is simple but radical: transportation policy should maximize access, not movement.
For a century, we’ve measured success by car throughput and speed. But that's only a means. The end is connecting people to destinations they value.
We've been measuring, then building, the wrong thing.
For a century, we’ve measured success by car throughput and speed. But that's only a means. The end is connecting people to destinations they value.
We've been measuring, then building, the wrong thing.
Oh wow, congress making moves to support single stair and point access blocks
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Oh wow, congress making moves to support single stair and point access blocks
Reposted by Lauren
This technology already exists and is widely used. It doesn't involve 'government surveillance' and would not allow ICE or any other government agency to stop individual cars.
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Speed Limiters Now Mandatory in All New EU Cars
Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) isn't an ironclad speeding prevention system, but could be just annoying enough to spark a backlash.
www.autoweek.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:16 PM
This technology already exists and is widely used. It doesn't involve 'government surveillance' and would not allow ICE or any other government agency to stop individual cars.
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
I recently attended a meeting where a police officer was advocating *against* a road diet on a road that is very well known for speeding, has seen too many fatalities and serious injuries, and is nigh impossible to cross on foot.
They truly don’t get the concept of self-enforcing design.
They truly don’t get the concept of self-enforcing design.
In my experience police have no idea how urban design can and should achieve MANY public goals. They don’t even know how to design for safety.
Most Londoners have no idea how involved the cops are in urban design.
The cops said that local gangs were hiding drugs in the flowers, by which they mean there were brown people hanging out there, so a park now looks like this.
Vid www.instagram.com/reel/DUJRDNJ...
The cops said that local gangs were hiding drugs in the flowers, by which they mean there were brown people hanging out there, so a park now looks like this.
Vid www.instagram.com/reel/DUJRDNJ...
February 9, 2026 at 5:57 PM
I recently attended a meeting where a police officer was advocating *against* a road diet on a road that is very well known for speeding, has seen too many fatalities and serious injuries, and is nigh impossible to cross on foot.
They truly don’t get the concept of self-enforcing design.
They truly don’t get the concept of self-enforcing design.
New housing coming to Spokane
- 40 units in the Perry District (love seeing dense housing in walkable districts)
- 40 units on the west side of downtown (adaptive reuse of vacant buildings!!)
- 19 townhomes on 1 acre near Gonzaga Prep
Let’s goooo
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
- 40 units in the Perry District (love seeing dense housing in walkable districts)
- 40 units on the west side of downtown (adaptive reuse of vacant buildings!!)
- 19 townhomes on 1 acre near Gonzaga Prep
Let’s goooo
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
The Dirt: 40 housing units planned for Perry District
A housing developer has plans to build a four-story apartment building with 40 units of housing in the Perry District north of Grant Elementary School.
www.spokesman.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:19 PM
New housing coming to Spokane
- 40 units in the Perry District (love seeing dense housing in walkable districts)
- 40 units on the west side of downtown (adaptive reuse of vacant buildings!!)
- 19 townhomes on 1 acre near Gonzaga Prep
Let’s goooo
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
- 40 units in the Perry District (love seeing dense housing in walkable districts)
- 40 units on the west side of downtown (adaptive reuse of vacant buildings!!)
- 19 townhomes on 1 acre near Gonzaga Prep
Let’s goooo
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
Reposted by Lauren
Good morning. The President of the United States was in the middle of the most serious child sex trafficking ring of the last quarter century.
He is referenced not a dozen times in the case files. Not 100 times. Not 1,000 times. He’s referenced 38,000 times.
He is referenced not a dozen times in the case files. Not 100 times. Not 1,000 times. He’s referenced 38,000 times.
February 8, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Good morning. The President of the United States was in the middle of the most serious child sex trafficking ring of the last quarter century.
He is referenced not a dozen times in the case files. Not 100 times. Not 1,000 times. He’s referenced 38,000 times.
He is referenced not a dozen times in the case files. Not 100 times. Not 1,000 times. He’s referenced 38,000 times.
Reposted by Lauren
ICE told nurses this Minneapolis man “purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall.”
What actually happened is that they pulled him from a car, beat him so viciously with a steel baton that he had 8 skull fractures, 5 life-threatening brain hemorrhages, and couldn’t remember he had a daughter.
What actually happened is that they pulled him from a car, beat him so viciously with a steel baton that he had 8 skull fractures, 5 life-threatening brain hemorrhages, and couldn’t remember he had a daughter.
February 7, 2026 at 5:54 PM
ICE told nurses this Minneapolis man “purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall.”
What actually happened is that they pulled him from a car, beat him so viciously with a steel baton that he had 8 skull fractures, 5 life-threatening brain hemorrhages, and couldn’t remember he had a daughter.
What actually happened is that they pulled him from a car, beat him so viciously with a steel baton that he had 8 skull fractures, 5 life-threatening brain hemorrhages, and couldn’t remember he had a daughter.
Reposted by Lauren
Want to know more about journalism co-ops like us? We're featured in this article from @niemanlab.org alongside some of the worker-owned news greats like @defector.com, @hellgatenyc.com, @coyotemedia.org, @sequencermag.bsky.social and @aftermath.site.
Journalism coops seem utopian. What’s it like working in one?
"If I was less self-directed, I'd probably be freaking out."
www.niemanlab.org
February 4, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Want to know more about journalism co-ops like us? We're featured in this article from @niemanlab.org alongside some of the worker-owned news greats like @defector.com, @hellgatenyc.com, @coyotemedia.org, @sequencermag.bsky.social and @aftermath.site.
Reposted by Lauren
Experts say the U.S. needs an additional 2 million to 20 million homes to fix the housing shortfall.
The disparate projections reflect the challenge of quantifying the nation’s housing needs.
The disparate projections reflect the challenge of quantifying the nation’s housing needs.
Why nobody really knows the scale of the U.S. housing crisis
Experts say the U.S. needs an additional 2 million to 20 million homes to fix the shortfall, underscoring the challenge of meeting the nation’s housing needs.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Experts say the U.S. needs an additional 2 million to 20 million homes to fix the housing shortfall.
The disparate projections reflect the challenge of quantifying the nation’s housing needs.
The disparate projections reflect the challenge of quantifying the nation’s housing needs.
Reposted by Lauren
All bike infrastructure is car infrastructure.
If we built cities and places for people, instead of cars driving by, we wouldn't need expensive infrastructure to protect us.
If we built cities and places for people, instead of cars driving by, we wouldn't need expensive infrastructure to protect us.
“What sometimes seems like millions being spent on bikes is actually millions being spent to avoid impacts to vehicle traffic.”
Even though I am still learning about bike infrastructure, I say a version of this line to people who complain to me about bike lanes.
Even though I am still learning about bike infrastructure, I say a version of this line to people who complain to me about bike lanes.
My Council Update from last week's meeting: Lakes, Bike Network modifications, a One-HRM Membership for Parks and Rec, and regulating ride share companies. Read it here: samaustin.ca/council-upda...
February 4, 2026 at 3:37 PM
All bike infrastructure is car infrastructure.
If we built cities and places for people, instead of cars driving by, we wouldn't need expensive infrastructure to protect us.
If we built cities and places for people, instead of cars driving by, we wouldn't need expensive infrastructure to protect us.
Really good explainer on how building codes hamstring our cities 👇
Very comprehensive Vox article on building code research and reform efforts across the country, fearing John Zeanah’s report for the Center for Building on low-rise multifamily housing and Michael Eriksen’s academic work on building code costs www.vox.com/future-perfe... (gift link)
The hidden double standards driving our housing crisis
Apartments are safer and more affordable than single-family homes. Why do we treat them like a hazard?
www.vox.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Really good explainer on how building codes hamstring our cities 👇
ngl car horns should be illegal in Manhattan
February 3, 2026 at 9:03 PM
ngl car horns should be illegal in Manhattan