Christof Spieler
@christofspieler.bsky.social
Director of Transportation, Madison, WI; Author of “Trains, Buses, People: An Opinionated Atlas of US and Canadian Transit,” Island Press, 2021. (he/him) PE/AICP/LEED AP
Thank your bus driver and your snowplow driver.
November 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Thank your bus driver and your snowplow driver.
Appreciation to everyone out there keeping the city running on a snowy long weekend.
November 29, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Appreciation to everyone out there keeping the city running on a snowy long weekend.
The best way to get to the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison is BRT.
November 28, 2025 at 11:19 PM
The best way to get to the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison is BRT.
Holiday service on the isthmus.
November 27, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Holiday service on the isthmus.
Foggy morning on Jenifer Street.
November 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Foggy morning on Jenifer Street.
This sign post offers a hint of why we're taking on curb management in Madison. (Also: kudos to our talented in-house sign shop and hard working field crews, who keep up with all this stuff!)
November 23, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This sign post offers a hint of why we're taking on curb management in Madison. (Also: kudos to our talented in-house sign shop and hard working field crews, who keep up with all this stuff!)
Today, Madison, WI has no passenger rail. Here's the service it had circa 1950, near the peak of the US passenger rail network. A few notable takeaways:
November 19, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Today, Madison, WI has no passenger rail. Here's the service it had circa 1950, near the peak of the US passenger rail network. A few notable takeaways:
No lifeguard on duty.
November 19, 2025 at 3:18 AM
No lifeguard on duty.
Reposted by Christof Spieler
Ridership on Paris region transit systems is now generally at or higher than pre-pandemic levels. Bike use is much higher than pre-pandemic.
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
November 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Ridership on Paris region transit systems is now generally at or higher than pre-pandemic levels. Bike use is much higher than pre-pandemic.
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
The draft report: madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
If passenger trains return to Madison, the city wants its Amtrak station built along existing rail lines close to Downtown, transit and parking.
Wilson Street chosen as preferred location for Madison Amtrak station
If passenger trains return to Madison, the city wants its Amtrak station built along existing rail lines close to Downtown, transit and parking.
madison.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The draft report: madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
The 80, Madison Metro's busiest route, makes its rounds of the UW campus. Scheduled midday headways are 4 to 5 minutes.
November 18, 2025 at 12:40 AM
The 80, Madison Metro's busiest route, makes its rounds of the UW campus. Scheduled midday headways are 4 to 5 minutes.
Reposted by Christof Spieler
Reminder: Sale ends tonight. Great chance to pick up @holz-bau.bsky.social outstanding "Building for People", @veronicaodavis.bsky.social excellent "Inclusive Transportation" and some how even better "Trains, Buses, People," Second Edition by @christofspieler.bsky.social!
Save some green while getting some green inspiration. ALL Island Press books are 50% off until 11/16! Islandpress.org/half
November 16, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Reminder: Sale ends tonight. Great chance to pick up @holz-bau.bsky.social outstanding "Building for People", @veronicaodavis.bsky.social excellent "Inclusive Transportation" and some how even better "Trains, Buses, People," Second Edition by @christofspieler.bsky.social!
One of our Madison Metro buses showed up to the Winter Bike Fashion Show to let people try out the bike rack.
November 17, 2025 at 3:35 AM
One of our Madison Metro buses showed up to the Winter Bike Fashion Show to let people try out the bike rack.
Reposted by Christof Spieler
If women are underrepresented in STEM, it's at least partly because men like this offer mentoring, then embarrass themselves by assuming their mentees must be into them, then decide the best solution is to cut ties, which sends the signal to other faculty that the mentee must not be good enough.
The emails have Summers reporting to Epstein about his attempts to date a Harvard economics student & to hit on her during a seminar she was giving.
November 16, 2025 at 12:13 AM
If women are underrepresented in STEM, it's at least partly because men like this offer mentoring, then embarrass themselves by assuming their mentees must be into them, then decide the best solution is to cut ties, which sends the signal to other faculty that the mentee must not be good enough.
"Trains, Buses, People" for 50% off -- only $22.50. That's maps, photos, details, and analysis on 57 US and Canadian metro area transit systems for the price of 28 1/2!
All books. 50% off. 1 week only. One last time. You know what to do. Islandpress.org/half
November 15, 2025 at 7:19 PM
"Trains, Buses, People" for 50% off -- only $22.50. That's maps, photos, details, and analysis on 57 US and Canadian metro area transit systems for the price of 28 1/2!
Reposted by Christof Spieler
Thinking about picking up my book? Do it this week! all @islandpress.bsky.social print titles are 50% off until 11/16!
islandpress.org/books/when-d...
also lots of other great books to grab as well -- thread below with some links of my favorites
islandpress.org/books/when-d...
also lots of other great books to grab as well -- thread below with some links of my favorites
When Driving Is Not an Option
islandpress.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Thinking about picking up my book? Do it this week! all @islandpress.bsky.social print titles are 50% off until 11/16!
islandpress.org/books/when-d...
also lots of other great books to grab as well -- thread below with some links of my favorites
islandpress.org/books/when-d...
also lots of other great books to grab as well -- thread below with some links of my favorites
Seasons changing on Madison's Jenifer Street. (October 28 vs. Nov 11)
November 11, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Seasons changing on Madison's Jenifer Street. (October 28 vs. Nov 11)
Reposted by Christof Spieler
Zoning Practice magazine devotes an entire issue to *checks notes* pickleball noise
November 10, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Zoning Practice magazine devotes an entire issue to *checks notes* pickleball noise
SD40-2 along Lake Monona on a cold morning.
November 10, 2025 at 7:09 PM
SD40-2 along Lake Monona on a cold morning.
Fall meets winter, Blue Mound State Park.
November 10, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Fall meets winter, Blue Mound State Park.
Want to slide into DM? Tough luck -- there's no interchange there.
November 7, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Want to slide into DM? Tough luck -- there's no interchange there.
Reposted by Christof Spieler
Last night’s election was big for housing ⬇️
—NIMBY NJ Gubernatorial candidate lost decisively.
—Mamdani, promising to pause rent increases & develop 200k affordable units, won NYC decisively.
—All pro-housing referendums in NYC passed.
—Housing funding measures passed in Columbus & Denver.
—NIMBY NJ Gubernatorial candidate lost decisively.
—Mamdani, promising to pause rent increases & develop 200k affordable units, won NYC decisively.
—All pro-housing referendums in NYC passed.
—Housing funding measures passed in Columbus & Denver.
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Last night’s election was big for housing ⬇️
—NIMBY NJ Gubernatorial candidate lost decisively.
—Mamdani, promising to pause rent increases & develop 200k affordable units, won NYC decisively.
—All pro-housing referendums in NYC passed.
—Housing funding measures passed in Columbus & Denver.
—NIMBY NJ Gubernatorial candidate lost decisively.
—Mamdani, promising to pause rent increases & develop 200k affordable units, won NYC decisively.
—All pro-housing referendums in NYC passed.
—Housing funding measures passed in Columbus & Denver.
Transit, rocks.
November 5, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Transit, rocks.