Anna Zivarts
@nondriver.bsky.social
Author, When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency
Creator, #WeekWithoutDriving
Organizer, Nondrivers Alliance, nondrivers.org
Disabled parent (#nystagmus), bus lover, bike rider.
Creator, #WeekWithoutDriving
Organizer, Nondrivers Alliance, nondrivers.org
Disabled parent (#nystagmus), bus lover, bike rider.
(yes, we are totally widening our urban highways in the Seattle area too-it's not just Texas)
"...In fact, WSDOT is in active litigation against the contractor for missing the construction deadline. The litigation actually began in 2023 as it became clear the project was falling behind."
"...In fact, WSDOT is in active litigation against the contractor for missing the construction deadline. The litigation actually began in 2023 as it became clear the project was falling behind."
Massive 18-month delay in I-405 widening project
This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com.
www.kiro7.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:29 AM
(yes, we are totally widening our urban highways in the Seattle area too-it's not just Texas)
"...In fact, WSDOT is in active litigation against the contractor for missing the construction deadline. The litigation actually began in 2023 as it became clear the project was falling behind."
"...In fact, WSDOT is in active litigation against the contractor for missing the construction deadline. The litigation actually began in 2023 as it became clear the project was falling behind."
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
Yep. See also the analysis we got out of data for SR18. Their models from 15+ years ago didn't turn out. But essentially same methods used to project dire consequences for 2045. No consideration of mode shift (or land use reform to discourage ex-urban housing development).
November 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Yep. See also the analysis we got out of data for SR18. Their models from 15+ years ago didn't turn out. But essentially same methods used to project dire consequences for 2045. No consideration of mode shift (or land use reform to discourage ex-urban housing development).
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
WA has set Vehicle Miles Travelled reduction goals. To achieve that two things need to happen:
1. Transit/ safe ped access must have priority
2. Driving, parking, cost of gas, insurance all must be a little bit worse (harder, slower, more expensive)
Mode shift can’t be all carrot and no stick.
1. Transit/ safe ped access must have priority
2. Driving, parking, cost of gas, insurance all must be a little bit worse (harder, slower, more expensive)
Mode shift can’t be all carrot and no stick.
Why are we assuming that we want to maintain car volumes? To meet our climate, public health and road safety goals as a city, there is no reason any on or off ramp in #Seattle should require multiple lanes. #Rainier
If you want to be angry, watch (starts at 1:05): youtu.be/Lr-C4k0EEf4?...
If you want to be angry, watch (starts at 1:05): youtu.be/Lr-C4k0EEf4?...
Judkins Park Community Advisory Group Meeting 4
YouTube video by wsdot
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
WA has set Vehicle Miles Travelled reduction goals. To achieve that two things need to happen:
1. Transit/ safe ped access must have priority
2. Driving, parking, cost of gas, insurance all must be a little bit worse (harder, slower, more expensive)
Mode shift can’t be all carrot and no stick.
1. Transit/ safe ped access must have priority
2. Driving, parking, cost of gas, insurance all must be a little bit worse (harder, slower, more expensive)
Mode shift can’t be all carrot and no stick.
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
Not the main point here, but... 2050? The Light Rail is opening in just months from today. We've known about it for over a decade. Why is it going to take us another 25 years to redesign and rebuild the ramps for a project that will have a significant access/safety impact?
November 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Not the main point here, but... 2050? The Light Rail is opening in just months from today. We've known about it for over a decade. Why is it going to take us another 25 years to redesign and rebuild the ramps for a project that will have a significant access/safety impact?
I'll be there!
November 25, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I'll be there!
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
These municipalities often function as tax shelters for their residents & corporations, providing locally-exclusive services (and access to the metro economy)—while avoiding contributions to redistributive programs for local neighbors outside jurisdiction. prospect.org/2020/07/06/t...
The Structural Violence of Municipal Hoarding - The American Prospect
High-wealth communities segregate and protect their treasure from municipal redistribution.
prospect.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
These municipalities often function as tax shelters for their residents & corporations, providing locally-exclusive services (and access to the metro economy)—while avoiding contributions to redistributive programs for local neighbors outside jurisdiction. prospect.org/2020/07/06/t...
Why are we assuming that we want to maintain car volumes? To meet our climate, public health and road safety goals as a city, there is no reason any on or off ramp in #Seattle should require multiple lanes. #Rainier
If you want to be angry, watch (starts at 1:05): youtu.be/Lr-C4k0EEf4?...
If you want to be angry, watch (starts at 1:05): youtu.be/Lr-C4k0EEf4?...
Judkins Park Community Advisory Group Meeting 4
YouTube video by wsdot
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Why are we assuming that we want to maintain car volumes? To meet our climate, public health and road safety goals as a city, there is no reason any on or off ramp in #Seattle should require multiple lanes. #Rainier
If you want to be angry, watch (starts at 1:05): youtu.be/Lr-C4k0EEf4?...
If you want to be angry, watch (starts at 1:05): youtu.be/Lr-C4k0EEf4?...
Trains sold out all day Wednesday and most of the day Tuesday to get from Seattle to my hometown. Should have bought tickets sooner, but it makes me happy to have this problem.
NEW STORY // Amtrak Breaks Ridership Records Nationally and in Pacific Northwest
Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/24/a...
Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/24/a...
Amtrak Breaks Ridership Records Nationally and in Pacific Northwest » The Urbanist
# Amtrak's annual ridership was up 5%, hitting an all-time record high of 34.5 million rides nationwide over the last year. Amtrak Cascades also hit a record high, reporting 1.4% growth and coming in ...
www.theurbanist.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Trains sold out all day Wednesday and most of the day Tuesday to get from Seattle to my hometown. Should have bought tickets sooner, but it makes me happy to have this problem.
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
Anyone with an affected battery is advised to take it to a Household Hazardous Waste facility. Here are some near Seattle: www.seattle.gov/utilities/yo... As for what to do about your bike, I don't know what to tell you right now. Does anyone know of replacement battery options, perhaps 3rd party?
Where to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste - Utilities | seattle.gov
Where to Dispose of Hazardous Waste
www.seattle.gov
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Anyone with an affected battery is advised to take it to a Household Hazardous Waste facility. Here are some near Seattle: www.seattle.gov/utilities/yo... As for what to do about your bike, I don't know what to tell you right now. Does anyone know of replacement battery options, perhaps 3rd party?
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
“The importer, Rad Power Bikes Inc., of Seattle, WA has refused to agree to an acceptable recall. Given its financial situation, Rad Power Bikes has indicated to CPSC that it is unable to offer replacement batteries or refunds to all consumers.” Background: www.seattlebikeblog.com/2025/11/10/r...
Rad Power Bikes sends employees notice of ‘potential’ closure as efforts continue to ‘save Rad’
Read the full November 7 WARN letter (PDF). Seattle-based e-bike giant Rad Power Bikes has filed official notice to Washington State as well as the company’s 64 Washington employees that the …
www.seattlebikeblog.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:24 PM
“The importer, Rad Power Bikes Inc., of Seattle, WA has refused to agree to an acceptable recall. Given its financial situation, Rad Power Bikes has indicated to CPSC that it is unable to offer replacement batteries or refunds to all consumers.” Background: www.seattlebikeblog.com/2025/11/10/r...
Welp, after years of planning, pots of dedicated funding, promises that despite other elements getting yanked from the plans that sidewalk repairs were still on the table, the only sidewalk on LWB that got repaved this year was the segment right in front of Bruce's house.
November 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Welp, after years of planning, pots of dedicated funding, promises that despite other elements getting yanked from the plans that sidewalk repairs were still on the table, the only sidewalk on LWB that got repaved this year was the segment right in front of Bruce's house.
Really cool #WeekWithoutDriving comic about the reality of asking for rides. (The advocates at Philadelphia's @5thsqadvocacy.org are awesome!)
Sylvia Odhner on Instagram: "My Week Without Driving
With @americawalks
#weekwithoutdriving #walkabletowns #publictransit #safestreets #cardependency #walking"
60 likes, 4 comments - sylviaodhner on November 14, 2025: "My Week Without Driving
With @americawalks
#weekwithoutdriving #walkabletowns #publictransit #safestreets #cardependency #walking".
www.instagram.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Really cool #WeekWithoutDriving comic about the reality of asking for rides. (The advocates at Philadelphia's @5thsqadvocacy.org are awesome!)
Couldn't turn down some free block party chairs -- and pretty impressed that even without bungees, the @ternbicycles.com and @theoverheadwire.com
scarf got them 3mi to home. Those scarves are surprisingly stretchy!
scarf got them 3mi to home. Those scarves are surprisingly stretchy!
November 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Couldn't turn down some free block party chairs -- and pretty impressed that even without bungees, the @ternbicycles.com and @theoverheadwire.com
scarf got them 3mi to home. Those scarves are surprisingly stretchy!
scarf got them 3mi to home. Those scarves are surprisingly stretchy!
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
More than 25% of downtown is parking, so City Council is proposing a commercial parking tax to help internalize the associated externalities—things like poor walkability and antisocial behavior.
They vote next week. Please send them a quick note here urging their support!
They vote next week. Please send them a quick note here urging their support!
Support a modest tax on commercial parking tax
As reported in RANGE, Spokane City Council is considering a commercial parking tax at its meeting on Monday, November 17. Structured as a 6-12% fee to park at a commercial lot, the measure would help ...
actionnetwork.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:40 AM
More than 25% of downtown is parking, so City Council is proposing a commercial parking tax to help internalize the associated externalities—things like poor walkability and antisocial behavior.
They vote next week. Please send them a quick note here urging their support!
They vote next week. Please send them a quick note here urging their support!
I've been thinking a lot about scooter share and access & include some more ideas from other cities below. In Seattle, we have the chance to write better rules into the next permit renewal in Jan--it's past time to address the untenable situation of misparked scooters blocking sidewalks and ramps.
@nondriver.bsky.social, Ilona Lohrey (GSBA), and I asked in the Seattle Times today for: "A parking corral system where, in busy areas around town, shared bikes and scooters must be parked in designated zones located on the street whenever physically possible." www.seattletimes.com/opinion/ok-c...
November 21, 2025 at 2:06 AM
I've been thinking a lot about scooter share and access & include some more ideas from other cities below. In Seattle, we have the chance to write better rules into the next permit renewal in Jan--it's past time to address the untenable situation of misparked scooters blocking sidewalks and ramps.
Rocked my @theoverheadwire.com bus lane scarf for a bus lane ribbon cutting!
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Rocked my @theoverheadwire.com bus lane scarf for a bus lane ribbon cutting!
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
Free buses in Iowa City in the NYT! I was there a couple weeks ago and was surprised at how packed and how frequent the buses were for a city that size
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
November 20, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Free buses in Iowa City in the NYT! I was there a couple weeks ago and was surprised at how packed and how frequent the buses were for a city that size
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
Pharmacy update: stopped what used to be the Bartells on Rainier today which closed, but has actually reopened as a somewhat stocked CVS and the pharmacy is open 8am-8pm weekdays. Still closed at 6 Saturdays.
6pm on a Saturday and there's not an open pharmacy in Seattle where I can get an urgent prescription filled. Doc suggested only 24 hour pharmacy he knows is in Issaquah. while that would be an epic bus trip, since it's a prescription for me and not the kid I'll just suck it up & wait till tomorrow.
November 20, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Pharmacy update: stopped what used to be the Bartells on Rainier today which closed, but has actually reopened as a somewhat stocked CVS and the pharmacy is open 8am-8pm weekdays. Still closed at 6 Saturdays.
Bummed to see Etel Haxhiaj lose her re-election bid. Her 2024 interview about why she participated in #WeekWithoutDriving was one of my favorites because of the empathy she showed for community members who can't drive or afford to.
A Councilwoman Intervened During an ICE Arrest. Then She Faced the Voters.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Bummed to see Etel Haxhiaj lose her re-election bid. Her 2024 interview about why she participated in #WeekWithoutDriving was one of my favorites because of the empathy she showed for community members who can't drive or afford to.
But on demand transit is the future...right?
Reported by @techcrunch.com
What worries me- what happens to those of us who rely on transit in the communities that have been convinced to abandon fixed route systems because Via is the future. And if Via can't make the math work, then what?
Reported by @techcrunch.com
What worries me- what happens to those of us who rely on transit in the communities that have been convinced to abandon fixed route systems because Via is the future. And if Via can't make the math work, then what?
November 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM
But on demand transit is the future...right?
Reported by @techcrunch.com
What worries me- what happens to those of us who rely on transit in the communities that have been convinced to abandon fixed route systems because Via is the future. And if Via can't make the math work, then what?
Reported by @techcrunch.com
What worries me- what happens to those of us who rely on transit in the communities that have been convinced to abandon fixed route systems because Via is the future. And if Via can't make the math work, then what?
6pm on a Saturday and there's not an open pharmacy in Seattle where I can get an urgent prescription filled. Doc suggested only 24 hour pharmacy he knows is in Issaquah. while that would be an epic bus trip, since it's a prescription for me and not the kid I'll just suck it up & wait till tomorrow.
November 16, 2025 at 2:35 AM
6pm on a Saturday and there's not an open pharmacy in Seattle where I can get an urgent prescription filled. Doc suggested only 24 hour pharmacy he knows is in Issaquah. while that would be an epic bus trip, since it's a prescription for me and not the kid I'll just suck it up & wait till tomorrow.
You have until Monday to complete our post #WeekWithoutDriving survey. If you submit, you'll be entered into our giveaway for awesome swag from @parkingreform.org @bikeleague.org @transit.app and books from @islandpress.bsky.social and @thewaroncars.bsky.social!
Share Your Story | Week Without Driving
Once you participate in Week Without Driving, share your experience with us and enter the Post-Week Without Driving Survey Giveaway to win awesome prizes fr ...
weekwithoutdriving.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:46 PM
You have until Monday to complete our post #WeekWithoutDriving survey. If you submit, you'll be entered into our giveaway for awesome swag from @parkingreform.org @bikeleague.org @transit.app and books from @islandpress.bsky.social and @thewaroncars.bsky.social!
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
A colleague of his who contacted BikePortland said he rode a scooter because his incarceration made him ineligible for a driver's license.
bikeportland.org/2025/11/14/m...
bikeportland.org/2025/11/14/m...
Man who died in train collision was beloved Portland paralegal
His prior incarceration made him ineligible for a driver's license.
bikeportland.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:24 PM
A colleague of his who contacted BikePortland said he rode a scooter because his incarceration made him ineligible for a driver's license.
bikeportland.org/2025/11/14/m...
bikeportland.org/2025/11/14/m...
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
That is TWENTY FIVE years from now. We could close down those ramps TODAY if WSDOT and SDOT cared more for walking/transit folks. The driving "detour" to use SODO I-90 ramps is time-wise on average less than the regular walking detours SDOT/WSDOT impose when they typically fail to put up signs.
November 14, 2025 at 1:25 AM
That is TWENTY FIVE years from now. We could close down those ramps TODAY if WSDOT and SDOT cared more for walking/transit folks. The driving "detour" to use SODO I-90 ramps is time-wise on average less than the regular walking detours SDOT/WSDOT impose when they typically fail to put up signs.
Reposted by Anna Zivarts
Waiting for the L8 at 5th and Denny… Can’t wait to break out the red paint!
August 9, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Waiting for the L8 at 5th and Denny… Can’t wait to break out the red paint!