Owen
@owenpick.bsky.social
Seattle based, (mostly) earnest poster.
As we talk about the next administration, I think this passage from @seattlebikeblog.com superbly articulates the stakes, opportunity and impact.
![Summary of pictured text:
vanished for the SDOT team working on the bike lane. They suddenly had access to a full-time project designer, and their calls to all the other teams within SDOT became priority calls. The mayor wanted this done in just five months, so every team at SDOT needed to work together to make it happen. "You need to have a director who gets it. You need a [city] council that gets it. You need a mayor that gets it," said Sam Woods, head of SDOT's Bicycle Program at the time, in an interview for this book. "Mayor Murray did more for biking in Seattle than any other mayor," she said.
... Woods was having a hard time figuring out if SDOT would be able to install bicycle traffic signals along with the new bike lane. ... it was important that people in cars trying to turn left would have a red light when the bike lane had a green light. But it wasn't clear whether the existing traffic signal system had the capacity to add a new set of signals. ... Woods's first couple of tries to get an answer from the sig-nals team didn't result in a clear answer. But when SDOT Director Scott Kubly called with Woods on the line, the signals team said they could make it happen. "You have to have, at the director level, that kind of support," said Woods. "Because that person was willing to jump through hoops for him, but not for me." People in any organization are going to answer more quickly to their boss than to someone else. "When you get that direction from the top, people fall in line."
It's hard to fully explain what it's like to ride in this new bike lane that was so transformational to Seattle. ... But in a video I shot on the new bike lane's opening day in September 2014, the street looked like it was from a different universe.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:udp5knsxol66kisgtzpll3ju/bafkreidicziisihrshdeuwtt7d3dujktqadutp5ou233h2t4vbvb7ukpj4@jpeg)
November 24, 2025 at 4:15 PM
As we talk about the next administration, I think this passage from @seattlebikeblog.com superbly articulates the stakes, opportunity and impact.
Reposted by Owen
November 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Reposted by Owen
Continuity can be good, and there are Harrell administration leaders who have earned a chance to continue, but @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social should accept Adiam Emery’s resignation, and appoint a new interim SDOT director to serve while she conducts a national search.
November 23, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Continuity can be good, and there are Harrell administration leaders who have earned a chance to continue, but @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social should accept Adiam Emery’s resignation, and appoint a new interim SDOT director to serve while she conducts a national search.
If people choose suburban housing because you get more space per dollar, what do these graphics tell you?
WATCH: If you STILL don’t understand how car-dependent suburbia is HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED by downtown & all the urban parts of your city, watch this EXCELLENT video by @notjustbikes with @UrbanThree & @StrongTowns. And then please SHARE it as much as possible. youtu.be/7Nw6qyyrTeI
November 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
If people choose suburban housing because you get more space per dollar, what do these graphics tell you?
There's a broadly assumed trope that large projects make trade offs between being fast, cheap or high quality.
But I increasingly think that it's the opposite. Agencies that do things faster, also tend to get cheaper projects that are even better quality!
But I increasingly think that it's the opposite. Agencies that do things faster, also tend to get cheaper projects that are even better quality!
On the flip side, you can save significant money by reducing durations through shortening construction phasing.
November 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
There's a broadly assumed trope that large projects make trade offs between being fast, cheap or high quality.
But I increasingly think that it's the opposite. Agencies that do things faster, also tend to get cheaper projects that are even better quality!
But I increasingly think that it's the opposite. Agencies that do things faster, also tend to get cheaper projects that are even better quality!
Reposted by Owen
On the flip side, you can save significant money by reducing durations through shortening construction phasing.
November 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
On the flip side, you can save significant money by reducing durations through shortening construction phasing.
Reposted by Owen
One week on @theurbanist.org:
-Two original Sound Transit stories
-Two fully reported Seattle budget stories
-Dispatches from both Clyde Hill & Kirkland
-One story about Katie Wilson's transition team
And a book review!
I know I'm biased, but I really think we punch above our weight.
-Two original Sound Transit stories
-Two fully reported Seattle budget stories
-Dispatches from both Clyde Hill & Kirkland
-One story about Katie Wilson's transition team
And a book review!
I know I'm biased, but I really think we punch above our weight.
November 22, 2025 at 12:31 AM
One week on @theurbanist.org:
-Two original Sound Transit stories
-Two fully reported Seattle budget stories
-Dispatches from both Clyde Hill & Kirkland
-One story about Katie Wilson's transition team
And a book review!
I know I'm biased, but I really think we punch above our weight.
-Two original Sound Transit stories
-Two fully reported Seattle budget stories
-Dispatches from both Clyde Hill & Kirkland
-One story about Katie Wilson's transition team
And a book review!
I know I'm biased, but I really think we punch above our weight.
Sorry "activists." If you look at the dara you can tell that gun and traffic violence aren't crises because they've been happening for decades.
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Sorry "activists." If you look at the dara you can tell that gun and traffic violence aren't crises because they've been happening for decades.
Reposted by Owen
Approximately an hour ago, Seattle Fire responded to a driver hitting someone on a bike near Airport Way S and Corson Ave S.
The person who was hit was transported to the hospital.
The person who was hit was transported to the hospital.
November 21, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Approximately an hour ago, Seattle Fire responded to a driver hitting someone on a bike near Airport Way S and Corson Ave S.
The person who was hit was transported to the hospital.
The person who was hit was transported to the hospital.
Reposted by Owen
One of the reasons USA cities suffer is most urban politicians are not willing to engage in the policy and trade offs to make cities thrive. They don’t conceive of themselves as being in competition with the suburbs all too often they wish to make the city into the suburbs!
November 20, 2025 at 11:54 PM
One of the reasons USA cities suffer is most urban politicians are not willing to engage in the policy and trade offs to make cities thrive. They don’t conceive of themselves as being in competition with the suburbs all too often they wish to make the city into the suburbs!
Housing is extremely heterogenous which makes typology comparisons very difficult.
But the price per square foot of central housing is high because there's *very* high demand. There's no other explanation. Even things with very little supply don't have high prices without high demand.
But the price per square foot of central housing is high because there's *very* high demand. There's no other explanation. Even things with very little supply don't have high prices without high demand.
November 21, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Housing is extremely heterogenous which makes typology comparisons very difficult.
But the price per square foot of central housing is high because there's *very* high demand. There's no other explanation. Even things with very little supply don't have high prices without high demand.
But the price per square foot of central housing is high because there's *very* high demand. There's no other explanation. Even things with very little supply don't have high prices without high demand.
Reposted by Owen
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!
There's a lot of stuff that isn't captured by income/rent ratio:
- total space
- quality of housing
- homelessness
- mobility
It's a bad metric for measuring the housing crisis. The long, multi-decade stability is best understood as a ceiling.
- total space
- quality of housing
- homelessness
- mobility
It's a bad metric for measuring the housing crisis. The long, multi-decade stability is best understood as a ceiling.
November 21, 2025 at 1:35 AM
There's a lot of stuff that isn't captured by income/rent ratio:
- total space
- quality of housing
- homelessness
- mobility
It's a bad metric for measuring the housing crisis. The long, multi-decade stability is best understood as a ceiling.
- total space
- quality of housing
- homelessness
- mobility
It's a bad metric for measuring the housing crisis. The long, multi-decade stability is best understood as a ceiling.
Call it a pilot and just do it.
Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson: "I want to put bus lanes on Denny" (40:47)
seattle-nice.beam.ly/episode/mayo...
seattle-nice.beam.ly/episode/mayo...
Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson says Seattle Nice is “Special” | Seattle Nice
Mayor-elect Katie Wilson turned down numerous invitations for national television appearances over the past week, telling Seattle Nice, “That is not my job.”...
seattle-nice.beam.ly
November 21, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Call it a pilot and just do it.
Part of the reason I know she's serious about transit is because she puts an employer mandate above "free transit."
What’s in the plan? Well after Step 2 (sweep city council), Wilson lays out six policy ideas:
1) E-bike subsidies
2) Weight-based taxes, fees, and fines
3) Mandatory employer transit subsidies
4) Mandatory parking cash-out
5) (De-)congestion pricing
6) Free transit (“worth exploring”)
1) E-bike subsidies
2) Weight-based taxes, fees, and fines
3) Mandatory employer transit subsidies
4) Mandatory parking cash-out
5) (De-)congestion pricing
6) Free transit (“worth exploring”)
November 21, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Part of the reason I know she's serious about transit is because she puts an employer mandate above "free transit."
As we start testing increased headways, now is a good time for a reminder..
Achieving four minute headways with interlining is a permanent constraint on good headways for South End and Eastside.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/20/s...
Achieving four minute headways with interlining is a permanent constraint on good headways for South End and Eastside.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/20/s...
Sound Transit 2 Line Testing Enters a New, More Visible Phase » The Urbanist
# Light rail riders will see out-of-service trains running between International District-Chinatown and Lynnwood as the next major milestone for testing on the full 2 Line.
www.theurbanist.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
As we start testing increased headways, now is a good time for a reminder..
Achieving four minute headways with interlining is a permanent constraint on good headways for South End and Eastside.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/20/s...
Achieving four minute headways with interlining is a permanent constraint on good headways for South End and Eastside.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/20/s...
Reposted by Owen
Big 2 Line news: operational trials testing four minute headways between International District and Lynnwood start NEXT MONDAY
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/20/s...
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/20/s...
Sound Transit 2 Line Testing Enters a New, More Visible Phase » The Urbanist
# Light rail riders will see out-of-service trains running between International District-Chinatown and Lynnwood as the next major milestone for testing on the full 2 Line.
www.theurbanist.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Big 2 Line news: operational trials testing four minute headways between International District and Lynnwood start NEXT MONDAY
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/20/s...
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/20/s...
Reposted by Owen
“The new timetable assumes each bus will spend nearly 45% of its runtime idling at BART (or about 6.2 hours of a 14 hour shift).
It is hard to escape the conclusion that the timetable is being designed around the limitations of the aging [BEB] capacity.”
www.seamlessbayarea.org/blog/2025/11...
It is hard to escape the conclusion that the timetable is being designed around the limitations of the aging [BEB] capacity.”
www.seamlessbayarea.org/blog/2025/11...
November 20, 2025 at 4:44 AM
“The new timetable assumes each bus will spend nearly 45% of its runtime idling at BART (or about 6.2 hours of a 14 hour shift).
It is hard to escape the conclusion that the timetable is being designed around the limitations of the aging [BEB] capacity.”
www.seamlessbayarea.org/blog/2025/11...
It is hard to escape the conclusion that the timetable is being designed around the limitations of the aging [BEB] capacity.”
www.seamlessbayarea.org/blog/2025/11...
There is a zero sum dynamic in urban transportation. What's good for drivers directly harms neighborhoods and other modes.
It's unfortunate because this would all be easier if that were not the case. But that's the reality of geometric constraints and we need more people to understand that.
It's unfortunate because this would all be easier if that were not the case. But that's the reality of geometric constraints and we need more people to understand that.
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:38 PM
There is a zero sum dynamic in urban transportation. What's good for drivers directly harms neighborhoods and other modes.
It's unfortunate because this would all be easier if that were not the case. But that's the reality of geometric constraints and we need more people to understand that.
It's unfortunate because this would all be easier if that were not the case. But that's the reality of geometric constraints and we need more people to understand that.
While I have your attention, I must raise an important, patriotic, unreported topic.
American transit heads are self-loathing and wrong.
American made rolling stock is clearly superior. Nearly 100% of stock purchased in the US is American made!! Revealed preferences baby.
American transit heads are self-loathing and wrong.
American made rolling stock is clearly superior. Nearly 100% of stock purchased in the US is American made!! Revealed preferences baby.
November 19, 2025 at 7:33 AM
While I have your attention, I must raise an important, patriotic, unreported topic.
American transit heads are self-loathing and wrong.
American made rolling stock is clearly superior. Nearly 100% of stock purchased in the US is American made!! Revealed preferences baby.
American transit heads are self-loathing and wrong.
American made rolling stock is clearly superior. Nearly 100% of stock purchased in the US is American made!! Revealed preferences baby.
I didn't get any of the housing discourse in chronological order so I'm only just now seeing that Will came around to: "the ideal suburb is one with an urban land use pattern."
November 19, 2025 at 7:08 AM
I didn't get any of the housing discourse in chronological order so I'm only just now seeing that Will came around to: "the ideal suburb is one with an urban land use pattern."
I'm sorry, I'm just a hard truth teller and I'm here to break some unfortunate news for you silly YIMBYs.
People just prefer suburbs. It's innate human nature.
For example:
People just prefer suburbs. It's innate human nature.
For example:
November 19, 2025 at 6:31 AM
I'm sorry, I'm just a hard truth teller and I'm here to break some unfortunate news for you silly YIMBYs.
People just prefer suburbs. It's innate human nature.
For example:
People just prefer suburbs. It's innate human nature.
For example:
Oh "everyone" prefers detached homes on large lots? Huh.. really?
Then I'm sure you'd have no problem legalizing apartments in your subdivision...
Then I'm sure you'd have no problem legalizing apartments in your subdivision...
November 19, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Oh "everyone" prefers detached homes on large lots? Huh.. really?
Then I'm sure you'd have no problem legalizing apartments in your subdivision...
Then I'm sure you'd have no problem legalizing apartments in your subdivision...
Revealed preference: "lots of people" buying detached homes
*Not* a revealed preference: 86% of Americans living in metro areas.
*Not* a revealed preference: 86% of Americans living in metro areas.
November 19, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Revealed preference: "lots of people" buying detached homes
*Not* a revealed preference: 86% of Americans living in metro areas.
*Not* a revealed preference: 86% of Americans living in metro areas.
Or put another way...
~75% of zoning makes it's illegal to build apartments...
The cost of attached housing is much higher per square foot than detached...
and *still* ~40% of Americans *choose* attached housing.
~75% of zoning makes it's illegal to build apartments...
The cost of attached housing is much higher per square foot than detached...
and *still* ~40% of Americans *choose* attached housing.
OECD average is close to ~40% for detached housing. US is an outlier.
November 19, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Or put another way...
~75% of zoning makes it's illegal to build apartments...
The cost of attached housing is much higher per square foot than detached...
and *still* ~40% of Americans *choose* attached housing.
~75% of zoning makes it's illegal to build apartments...
The cost of attached housing is much higher per square foot than detached...
and *still* ~40% of Americans *choose* attached housing.