David Powe
@davidpowe.bsky.social
Transportation planner | Bureaucrat working on Divvy bikeshare & all things micromobility | Alabama native | Posts are my own ofc
Pinned
David Powe
@davidpowe.bsky.social
· Aug 4
Divvy just recorded its highest monthly ridership ever and the busiest single day in program history!
By improving Chicago’s bike network and making Divvy more affordable and accessible, the City of Chicago is continuing to make Chicago an even more bike-friendly city. 🚲
By improving Chicago’s bike network and making Divvy more affordable and accessible, the City of Chicago is continuing to make Chicago an even more bike-friendly city. 🚲
Chicago’s newest Divvy bikeshare station just dropped at 53rd & Blackstone in Hyde Park! This is the first of many new stations coming to the South Side this year.
January 2, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Chicago’s newest Divvy bikeshare station just dropped at 53rd & Blackstone in Hyde Park! This is the first of many new stations coming to the South Side this year.
Reposted by David Powe
Strong Towns Chicago deployed my location crash report dashboard 🤝 @strongtownschicago.bsky.social
Use this to generate crash reports for intersections, corridors, or your own ward.
Best experienced on desktop
🗺️ www.strongtownschicago.org/chicago-cras...
Use this to generate crash reports for intersections, corridors, or your own ward.
Best experienced on desktop
🗺️ www.strongtownschicago.org/chicago-cras...
January 2, 2026 at 3:42 AM
Strong Towns Chicago deployed my location crash report dashboard 🤝 @strongtownschicago.bsky.social
Use this to generate crash reports for intersections, corridors, or your own ward.
Best experienced on desktop
🗺️ www.strongtownschicago.org/chicago-cras...
Use this to generate crash reports for intersections, corridors, or your own ward.
Best experienced on desktop
🗺️ www.strongtownschicago.org/chicago-cras...
A small but satisfying start to 2026: my Divvy e-bike ride into the office this morning was 62% cheaper with an annual membership. For the record, I don’t get a free membership 😉 Affordable transportation works when it’s simple, reliable, and easy to use. Memberships still start at $99!
January 2, 2026 at 3:24 PM
A small but satisfying start to 2026: my Divvy e-bike ride into the office this morning was 62% cheaper with an annual membership. For the record, I don’t get a free membership 😉 Affordable transportation works when it’s simple, reliable, and easy to use. Memberships still start at $99!
Reposted by David Powe
Cities become so much better when we make the bus suck less; there are still many, many ways we can make the bus suck less; and as a whole we should be trying to make the things we already know how to do suck less instead of waiting/wishing/hoping for vaporware tech to save the day.
One thing I wrote about here is how technology has made buses *way* more convenient while techno-futurists were obsessed with flying taxis and self-driving cars.
January 2, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Cities become so much better when we make the bus suck less; there are still many, many ways we can make the bus suck less; and as a whole we should be trying to make the things we already know how to do suck less instead of waiting/wishing/hoping for vaporware tech to save the day.
Chicago’s newest Divvy station is live at Canal & Lake downtown 🚲 With the Lake St Bridge closed, a ton of trips have been starting and ending here. Divvy responded by installing a split station that shows up as two separate stations, helping handle the extra demand & keep trips moving smoothly.
December 31, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Chicago’s newest Divvy station is live at Canal & Lake downtown 🚲 With the Lake St Bridge closed, a ton of trips have been starting and ending here. Divvy responded by installing a split station that shows up as two separate stations, helping handle the extra demand & keep trips moving smoothly.
Post a transit selfie from 2025
December 31, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Post a transit selfie from 2025
Chicago’s newest Divvy station is live at Rockwell St & Division St in East Humboldt Park 🚲 This fills a key gap in the system, sits along a popular bike route, and serves a busy commercial corridor in a dense residential neighborhood.
December 31, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Chicago’s newest Divvy station is live at Rockwell St & Division St in East Humboldt Park 🚲 This fills a key gap in the system, sits along a popular bike route, and serves a busy commercial corridor in a dense residential neighborhood.
Reposted by David Powe
The installed cost of each rack is less than $300. A really efficient program!
Another round of cheap, durable, and useful bike racks installed at schools across Chicago 🚲 Pictured here at:
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
December 30, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The installed cost of each rack is less than $300. A really efficient program!
Reposted by David Powe
I LOVE TO SEE IT
Another round of cheap, durable, and useful bike racks installed at schools across Chicago 🚲 Pictured here at:
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
December 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I LOVE TO SEE IT
Another round of cheap, durable, and useful bike racks installed at schools across Chicago 🚲 Pictured here at:
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
December 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Another round of cheap, durable, and useful bike racks installed at schools across Chicago 🚲 Pictured here at:
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
Reposted by David Powe
I believe that for the first time since I’ve lived in Chicago, the Aldi store on Milwaukee at Leavitt has a proper bike rack within 50 feet
December 28, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I believe that for the first time since I’ve lived in Chicago, the Aldi store on Milwaukee at Leavitt has a proper bike rack within 50 feet
CDOT has been installing hundreds of new bike racks across Chicago this month. Keep your eyes out for new ones in Lincoln Park. Small investments, big impact 🚲
December 26, 2025 at 8:29 PM
CDOT has been installing hundreds of new bike racks across Chicago this month. Keep your eyes out for new ones in Lincoln Park. Small investments, big impact 🚲
Reposted by David Powe
And a Christmas gift from @davidpowe.bsky.social, new bike racks on Broadway across from the Target!
(There's also been lots of folks out biking in the very warm December weather)
(There's also been lots of folks out biking in the very warm December weather)
December 23, 2025 at 7:55 PM
And a Christmas gift from @davidpowe.bsky.social, new bike racks on Broadway across from the Target!
(There's also been lots of folks out biking in the very warm December weather)
(There's also been lots of folks out biking in the very warm December weather)
Divvy’s Kingsbury/Kinzie station was just electrified. It’s the 2nd busiest in the system and we doubled capacity. Half the docks are now electrified, charging e-bikes and e-scooters right in the dock. The PBLs on Kinzie make trips to this station safe and possible.
December 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Divvy’s Kingsbury/Kinzie station was just electrified. It’s the 2nd busiest in the system and we doubled capacity. Half the docks are now electrified, charging e-bikes and e-scooters right in the dock. The PBLs on Kinzie make trips to this station safe and possible.
Chicago invested $3M+ in Divvy this year, incl a $550K operating subsidy. That delivered:
• 9,200+ annual price freezes ($143 vs. $159)
• 5,500+ discounted $99 memberships
• 48,000+ capped e-bike rides (free minutes 31–45)
• 35,500+ free unlocks in Equity Priority Areas
nabsa.net/2025/12/18/d...
• 9,200+ annual price freezes ($143 vs. $159)
• 5,500+ discounted $99 memberships
• 48,000+ capped e-bike rides (free minutes 31–45)
• 35,500+ free unlocks in Equity Priority Areas
nabsa.net/2025/12/18/d...
Treating Bikeshare as Essential Transportation
Bikeshare systems across North America prove their value every day. Read this post from David Powe about bikeshare in Chicago!
nabsa.net
December 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Chicago invested $3M+ in Divvy this year, incl a $550K operating subsidy. That delivered:
• 9,200+ annual price freezes ($143 vs. $159)
• 5,500+ discounted $99 memberships
• 48,000+ capped e-bike rides (free minutes 31–45)
• 35,500+ free unlocks in Equity Priority Areas
nabsa.net/2025/12/18/d...
• 9,200+ annual price freezes ($143 vs. $159)
• 5,500+ discounted $99 memberships
• 48,000+ capped e-bike rides (free minutes 31–45)
• 35,500+ free unlocks in Equity Priority Areas
nabsa.net/2025/12/18/d...
Reposted by David Powe
Per new @nikhunder.com analysis, increasing bus stop spacing "could translate into speed improvements of 14-29% depending on the route, traffic levels, and how many stops are removed. That’s a remarkable increase in speed, at minimal cost to the agency." citythatworks.substack.com/p/a-plan-for...
A plan for faster buses
We can speed up the bus at (almost) no cost
citythatworks.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Per new @nikhunder.com analysis, increasing bus stop spacing "could translate into speed improvements of 14-29% depending on the route, traffic levels, and how many stops are removed. That’s a remarkable increase in speed, at minimal cost to the agency." citythatworks.substack.com/p/a-plan-for...
Chicagoans don’t stop biking in winter. Divvy rides last week, despite frigid temps (daily lows in parentheses):
• Mon 4,906 (3°F)
• Tue 8,321 (17°F)
• Wed 10,084 (32°F)
• Thu 8,183 (21°F)
• Fri 5,733 (11°F)
• Sat 6,827 (24°F)
• Sun 4,187 (18°F)
• Mon 4,906 (3°F)
• Tue 8,321 (17°F)
• Wed 10,084 (32°F)
• Thu 8,183 (21°F)
• Fri 5,733 (11°F)
• Sat 6,827 (24°F)
• Sun 4,187 (18°F)
December 22, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Chicagoans don’t stop biking in winter. Divvy rides last week, despite frigid temps (daily lows in parentheses):
• Mon 4,906 (3°F)
• Tue 8,321 (17°F)
• Wed 10,084 (32°F)
• Thu 8,183 (21°F)
• Fri 5,733 (11°F)
• Sat 6,827 (24°F)
• Sun 4,187 (18°F)
• Mon 4,906 (3°F)
• Tue 8,321 (17°F)
• Wed 10,084 (32°F)
• Thu 8,183 (21°F)
• Fri 5,733 (11°F)
• Sat 6,827 (24°F)
• Sun 4,187 (18°F)
CDOT is churning out hundreds of new bike racks this month. Some of the best upgrades are the simplest (and cheapest!) ones.
December 20, 2025 at 4:41 PM
CDOT is churning out hundreds of new bike racks this month. Some of the best upgrades are the simplest (and cheapest!) ones.
Reposted by David Powe
After peaking in September, CTA rail staffing has slipped back to just over the 2019 benchmark.
December 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
After peaking in September, CTA rail staffing has slipped back to just over the 2019 benchmark.
Reposted by David Powe
Regional Transportation Authority approves 2026 budgets for transit agencies serving the Chicago region and looks ahead to its successor, the Northern Illinois Transit Agency (NITA). chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...
RTA board OKs its final Chicago area transit budgets
After approving the CTA, Metra and Pace budgets, some board members said those replacing them must prioritize the public's top concerns about transit: crime and safety, rising construction costs and e...
chicago.suntimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Regional Transportation Authority approves 2026 budgets for transit agencies serving the Chicago region and looks ahead to its successor, the Northern Illinois Transit Agency (NITA). chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...
Reposted by David Powe
"Transit Scheduling 101: Scheduling Math" by Chicago-based planner Joshua Woods. thoughtsaboutcities.substack.com/p/transit-sc...
Transit Scheduling 101: Scheduling Math ➗✖️
Frequency, runtime, layover, and how they all relate to determine how much transit service costs to operate in this installment of Transit Scheduling 101!
thoughtsaboutcities.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:21 PM
"Transit Scheduling 101: Scheduling Math" by Chicago-based planner Joshua Woods. thoughtsaboutcities.substack.com/p/transit-sc...
I wrote this piece for NABSA based on what we’re seeing with Divvy. Treating bikeshare as essential transportation & backing it up with real policy & investment has delivered results: higher ridership, system stability, stronger equity outcomes & stable pricing in Chicago
nabsa.net/2025/12/18/d...
nabsa.net/2025/12/18/d...
Treating Bikeshare as Essential Transportation
Bikeshare systems across North America prove their value every day. Read this post from David Powe about bikeshare in Chicago!
nabsa.net
December 18, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I wrote this piece for NABSA based on what we’re seeing with Divvy. Treating bikeshare as essential transportation & backing it up with real policy & investment has delivered results: higher ridership, system stability, stronger equity outcomes & stable pricing in Chicago
nabsa.net/2025/12/18/d...
nabsa.net/2025/12/18/d...
CDOT is putting out hundreds of new bike racks all across Chicago this month. Here are some of the greatest hits.
December 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
CDOT is putting out hundreds of new bike racks all across Chicago this month. Here are some of the greatest hits.
Divvy stations are another fun way to fill in paint/post bump outs, islands, curb extensions, etc.
Good to see planters installed in pedestrian islands on 10th Ave. in Chelsea/Hudson Yards
December 17, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Divvy stations are another fun way to fill in paint/post bump outs, islands, curb extensions, etc.
Chicago’s newest electrified Divvy charging station is live in Streeterville outside Northwestern Memorial Hospital. One of the busiest stations in the city, now “densified” with 50% more capacity in the same footprint and charging ebikes and escooters at the dock.
December 17, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Chicago’s newest electrified Divvy charging station is live in Streeterville outside Northwestern Memorial Hospital. One of the busiest stations in the city, now “densified” with 50% more capacity in the same footprint and charging ebikes and escooters at the dock.