Alaina Pitt
@alainapitt.bsky.social
Bikes, housing, safe streets, people-friendly places
“If we can build a successful city for children, we can build a successful city for all people.”
#BanCars
📍Massachusetts
❤️ DC
“If we can build a successful city for children, we can build a successful city for all people.”
#BanCars
📍Massachusetts
❤️ DC
I thank my lucky stars that we got our duplex unit in Beverly. Nothing like it in our price range has come on the market since.
You shouldn’t have to rely on luck to buy a home.
You shouldn’t have to rely on luck to buy a home.
So many smart, hard working 30-somethings can't even afford to a place in fucking Marlborough, let alone Newton or Melrose.
February 16, 2026 at 1:50 PM
I thank my lucky stars that we got our duplex unit in Beverly. Nothing like it in our price range has come on the market since.
You shouldn’t have to rely on luck to buy a home.
You shouldn’t have to rely on luck to buy a home.
Reposted by Alaina Pitt
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Ban cars
Violets are blue
Ban cars
February 14, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Ban cars
Violets are blue
Ban cars
My kingdom for ramps and proper crosswalk curb cuts everywhere.
Yeah, hi, I’m a person with “mobility challenges” (excuse me while I hurl). What we want, by and large, are not expensive, heavy devices that will “help us walk again”, but ramps.
I know, it’s not sexy, as technology invented before Christ, but it is overlooked in favor of…this. Repeatedly.
I know, it’s not sexy, as technology invented before Christ, but it is overlooked in favor of…this. Repeatedly.
February 14, 2026 at 1:51 PM
My kingdom for ramps and proper crosswalk curb cuts everywhere.
This whole discussion would be much better framed as: Should Amtrak operate like public transit or like other private/quasi-private long distance mass transportation options?
(I don’t have an answer to this but it’s an interesting question)
(I don’t have an answer to this but it’s an interesting question)
I don't really see a solution to this, and it's not like it's a phenomenon unique to the East Coast or America. If you want to book a last-minute train from Paris to Bordeaux today, you're paying €130 (~$155) for a 2 hour ride. If you want to book a last minute trip today to Philadelphia, it's $145.
FWIW East Coast cities are so close together that most people are never going to plan their @Amtrak NEC trips out weeks in advance.
They’ll do it a day or so out and get blown away by the prices.
They’ll do it a day or so out and get blown away by the prices.
February 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM
This whole discussion would be much better framed as: Should Amtrak operate like public transit or like other private/quasi-private long distance mass transportation options?
(I don’t have an answer to this but it’s an interesting question)
(I don’t have an answer to this but it’s an interesting question)
This whole thing drives me nuts. It’s *completely* fine for investors to own apartments, including whole buildings, but god forbid they own a single-family home.
The classism and hypocrisy needs to be called out.
The classism and hypocrisy needs to be called out.
Trump is still pushing for a federal ban on corporate landlords. In metro Atlanta, state and local lawmakers aren't waiting for the president to take action.
Latest from me and Michael Sasso for @bloomberg.com:
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Latest from me and Michael Sasso for @bloomberg.com:
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Atlanta Is Challenging Big Corporate Landlords Without Waiting on Trump
The metro area has some of America’s highest rates of institutional home ownership, and local governments are pushing back
www.bloomberg.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:59 AM
This whole thing drives me nuts. It’s *completely* fine for investors to own apartments, including whole buildings, but god forbid they own a single-family home.
The classism and hypocrisy needs to be called out.
The classism and hypocrisy needs to be called out.
Reposted by Alaina Pitt
"Since 1960, there have been several dozen attempts to create new town communities, most of which have failed to attract more than a few thousand residents."
So let's try again rather than improve on existing communities.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/b...
So let's try again rather than improve on existing communities.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/b...
Building Cities from Scratch
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:11 PM
"Since 1960, there have been several dozen attempts to create new town communities, most of which have failed to attract more than a few thousand residents."
So let's try again rather than improve on existing communities.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/b...
So let's try again rather than improve on existing communities.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/b...
Follow up: Only one of these has been addressed (Bottom right).
For anyone interested this was the state of the sidewalks on Thursday.
February 10, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Follow up: Only one of these has been addressed (Bottom right).
Same thing up here in Beverly. The city plowed snow into intersection corners so most curb cuts are completely blocked and they haven’t deemed it necessary to reinstall a sidewalk accommodation on our main street.
I’m finding MA cities to be especially bad about snow removal. What gives?
I’m finding MA cities to be especially bad about snow removal. What gives?
February 10, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Same thing up here in Beverly. The city plowed snow into intersection corners so most curb cuts are completely blocked and they haven’t deemed it necessary to reinstall a sidewalk accommodation on our main street.
I’m finding MA cities to be especially bad about snow removal. What gives?
I’m finding MA cities to be especially bad about snow removal. What gives?
Reposted by Alaina Pitt
It really annoys me that the moral panic over e-bikes obscures the incredible impact they have had for disabled people.
This. For the disabled they are a vital tool, and without mine, I am housebound. The inherent ableism infuriates me, especially since I am a careful rider. In every incident I have been in, and there are very few, I was the victim not the cause. Every time.
February 9, 2026 at 7:16 PM
It really annoys me that the moral panic over e-bikes obscures the incredible impact they have had for disabled people.
WaPo joining Page Six in the “No political commentary — nothing to see here, folks!” gaslighting
Analysis: Weeks before he set foot on the stage, Bad Bunny’s halftime performance had already become a media event.
But if you were looking for political commentary, the closest that you got was when he said “God bless America” in English.
But if you were looking for political commentary, the closest that you got was when he said “God bless America” in English.
Analysis | Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was expected to provoke. Did it?
The Bad Bunny Super Bowl show nodded to injustices in Puerto Rico but mostly evoked wholesome family values that meshed with the more sentimental commercials.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:11 PM
WaPo joining Page Six in the “No political commentary — nothing to see here, folks!” gaslighting
Was truly hoping for a bigger middle finger from Green Day but hey.
At least we got “fuck racists” and the censors didn’t catch it 😂
February 8, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Was truly hoping for a bigger middle finger from Green Day but hey.
Watching the Super Bowl and wondering why NBC doesn’t do an inset for the ASL interpretation.
Anyone know why?
Anyone know why?
February 8, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Watching the Super Bowl and wondering why NBC doesn’t do an inset for the ASL interpretation.
Anyone know why?
Anyone know why?
Reposted by Alaina Pitt
Lol. "Common sense Republican" who voted for Trump twice and rails against the "radical left." Fuck off Micah.
www.wgbh.org/news/politic...
www.wgbh.org/news/politic...
![Likewise, the biography on his campaign website notes that his mother is a Democrat and his father is a Republican, a biographical twist that calls to mind the family background of Charlie Baker, the former governor.
Also on his website, though, Jones describes leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent and then a registered Republican after “deal[ing] firsthand with the worst impulses of the Radical Left” while in law school.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:u6ajzyiqzkzbppp2x2y7fpfu/bafkreigst7d2gfoafqfnslzmkaz3de4btpkrweyejnkfk7bty52uhtvyku@jpeg)
February 6, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Lol. "Common sense Republican" who voted for Trump twice and rails against the "radical left." Fuck off Micah.
www.wgbh.org/news/politic...
www.wgbh.org/news/politic...
Reposted by Alaina Pitt
What do Paris, Montreal, Barcelona and Brussels have in common?
“If you look at the cities doing the most to reclaim public streets from the automobile and give it to people, they often have one thing in common, and that's strong female leadership.” @thewaroncars.bsky.social
LISTEN: bit.ly/3MdP82L
“If you look at the cities doing the most to reclaim public streets from the automobile and give it to people, they often have one thing in common, and that's strong female leadership.” @thewaroncars.bsky.social
LISTEN: bit.ly/3MdP82L
February 5, 2026 at 4:34 PM
What do Paris, Montreal, Barcelona and Brussels have in common?
“If you look at the cities doing the most to reclaim public streets from the automobile and give it to people, they often have one thing in common, and that's strong female leadership.” @thewaroncars.bsky.social
LISTEN: bit.ly/3MdP82L
“If you look at the cities doing the most to reclaim public streets from the automobile and give it to people, they often have one thing in common, and that's strong female leadership.” @thewaroncars.bsky.social
LISTEN: bit.ly/3MdP82L
Reposted by Alaina Pitt
New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park, one week after the snowstorm.
These are sidewalks. It is not equitable to clear roads by obstructing pedestrians.
@takomaparkmd.gov @mdsha.bsky.social @mcdotnow.bsky.social
These are sidewalks. It is not equitable to clear roads by obstructing pedestrians.
@takomaparkmd.gov @mdsha.bsky.social @mcdotnow.bsky.social
February 1, 2026 at 10:17 PM
New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park, one week after the snowstorm.
These are sidewalks. It is not equitable to clear roads by obstructing pedestrians.
@takomaparkmd.gov @mdsha.bsky.social @mcdotnow.bsky.social
These are sidewalks. It is not equitable to clear roads by obstructing pedestrians.
@takomaparkmd.gov @mdsha.bsky.social @mcdotnow.bsky.social
Reposted by Alaina Pitt
This has been most of my sidewalks for a week and I'm sick of it already. It's like trying to dance over someone's rock garden...for 150 yards.
One day above 40, please, make my walks walkable again.
One day above 40, please, make my walks walkable again.
February 1, 2026 at 3:45 AM
THIS! It’s the same offenders every single time. I emailed my mayor’s office about this. All I got back was how hard city employees are working even though I stressed that I think we need a policy change.
Really disheartening — now I’m stuck at home bc I’m not walking my son in the street.
Really disheartening — now I’m stuck at home bc I’m not walking my son in the street.
Pet Peeve: Saying that sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner and not the city ignores the fact that it's *the city* that is ultimately responsible for enforcement.
...and if that accountability system doesn't work, then its *the city* that then is in charge of creating new system.
...and if that accountability system doesn't work, then its *the city* that then is in charge of creating new system.
January 31, 2026 at 2:21 PM
THIS! It’s the same offenders every single time. I emailed my mayor’s office about this. All I got back was how hard city employees are working even though I stressed that I think we need a policy change.
Really disheartening — now I’m stuck at home bc I’m not walking my son in the street.
Really disheartening — now I’m stuck at home bc I’m not walking my son in the street.
What is with the old house fetish?
✅ Lead
✅ Asbestos
✅ Drafty
✅ Other weird shit done to it
It is BAD that our housing stock is so old in Massachusetts. It’s not something to be proud of.
✅ Lead
✅ Asbestos
✅ Drafty
✅ Other weird shit done to it
It is BAD that our housing stock is so old in Massachusetts. It’s not something to be proud of.
Give grants to individuals that want to fix old properties that are not occupied (not a flippers but sweat equity for the homeowners) don’t give money to a developer to build new mix use. Also most of them say they are providing “affordable” housing and it’s 1 unit out of 100 in the building.
January 30, 2026 at 8:03 PM
What is with the old house fetish?
✅ Lead
✅ Asbestos
✅ Drafty
✅ Other weird shit done to it
It is BAD that our housing stock is so old in Massachusetts. It’s not something to be proud of.
✅ Lead
✅ Asbestos
✅ Drafty
✅ Other weird shit done to it
It is BAD that our housing stock is so old in Massachusetts. It’s not something to be proud of.
Same for Italians Americans.
Part of why gleeful Irish American participation in whiteness is so offensive. They've forgotten our ancestors. Less than a hundred years. Barely a full lifetime removed from being unhirable unwanteds.
January 28, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Same for Italians Americans.
My city too. They just keep sending us robo-calls begging us to shovel (for the record we solved in front of our house)
How to tell a city views space for cars as essential and sidewalks as just nice to have. Baltimore.
January 27, 2026 at 11:41 PM
My city too. They just keep sending us robo-calls begging us to shovel (for the record we solved in front of our house)
Would be nice if our local government leaders and law enforcement understood the difference between the two!
High-speed two-wheelers* deter people from biking at all.
“Because of the dangers of those who are cycling fast, especially older people over 55 or 60 simply leave their bikes at home. We also hear that parents no longer dare to let their children cycle.”
*Not pedal-assist e-bikes
“Because of the dangers of those who are cycling fast, especially older people over 55 or 60 simply leave their bikes at home. We also hear that parents no longer dare to let their children cycle.”
*Not pedal-assist e-bikes
Amsterdam prepares to ‘ban the fatbikes’ amid rise in serious accidents
Experts say souped-up e-bikes pose big risk for children aged from 12 to 15, who account for many A&E cases
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Would be nice if our local government leaders and law enforcement understood the difference between the two!
Reposted by Alaina Pitt
"Currently, U.S. governments are projected to spend $6.3 trillion on highways over the next 20 years — substantially more than it would cost to build world-class transit, according to the report."
www.governing.com/transportati...
www.governing.com/transportati...
What a Public Transit ‘Moonshot’ Would Cost the U.S.
A new report outlines what it would cost to bring world-class transit to America’s urbanized areas.
www.governing.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:03 PM
"Currently, U.S. governments are projected to spend $6.3 trillion on highways over the next 20 years — substantially more than it would cost to build world-class transit, according to the report."
www.governing.com/transportati...
www.governing.com/transportati...
Reposted by Alaina Pitt
“Only 25 of the world’s 300 largest cities have female mayors. A tiny 5% of municipal leadership positions are filled by women. Despite these figures, many of the cities that are making the most progress to become greener, cleaner, more equitable and liveable are led by women.”
READ: bit.ly/4rbmcHu
READ: bit.ly/4rbmcHu
January 24, 2026 at 11:01 AM
“Only 25 of the world’s 300 largest cities have female mayors. A tiny 5% of municipal leadership positions are filled by women. Despite these figures, many of the cities that are making the most progress to become greener, cleaner, more equitable and liveable are led by women.”
READ: bit.ly/4rbmcHu
READ: bit.ly/4rbmcHu
European fire trucks ftw
“The wait time for needed parts for the vehicles is estimated to be days at the most” compared to upwards of 6 months for American parts.
www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
“The wait time for needed parts for the vehicles is estimated to be days at the most” compared to upwards of 6 months for American parts.
www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
New European-style fire trucks at NSA Naples give base a big reliability boost
A $1.1 million investment in two trucks ensures firefighters at NSA Naples no longer face issues that threatened their ability to respond to emergencies.
www.stripes.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:22 AM
European fire trucks ftw
“The wait time for needed parts for the vehicles is estimated to be days at the most” compared to upwards of 6 months for American parts.
www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
“The wait time for needed parts for the vehicles is estimated to be days at the most” compared to upwards of 6 months for American parts.
www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
Why is the state giving dangerous drivers a free pass?
The answer is to work out a repayment plan or scale fines according to income.
Framing this as helping low income residents ignores the reality that they are more likely to be killed by a driver.
www.bostonherald.com/2026/01/20/b...
The answer is to work out a repayment plan or scale fines according to income.
Framing this as helping low income residents ignores the reality that they are more likely to be killed by a driver.
www.bostonherald.com/2026/01/20/b...
Bill to end driving restrictions for unpaid fines, including speeding tickets, advances in State House
A bill that would put an end to state driving restrictions for unpaid fines, fees and taxes, including unpaid speeding and parking tickets, is advancing through the Massachusetts State House.
www.bostonherald.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Why is the state giving dangerous drivers a free pass?
The answer is to work out a repayment plan or scale fines according to income.
Framing this as helping low income residents ignores the reality that they are more likely to be killed by a driver.
www.bostonherald.com/2026/01/20/b...
The answer is to work out a repayment plan or scale fines according to income.
Framing this as helping low income residents ignores the reality that they are more likely to be killed by a driver.
www.bostonherald.com/2026/01/20/b...