David Zipper
@davidzipper.bsky.social
Senior Fellow @ MIT Mobility Initiative & Contributing Writer @ Vox, focused on transport, cities and tech. Words in Atlantic, CityLab, WaPo, etc. https://linktr.ee/davidzipper
Newsletter, speaking and advisory work: http://davidzipper.com
Newsletter, speaking and advisory work: http://davidzipper.com
Pinned
David Zipper
@davidzipper.bsky.social
· Jul 15
Look Both Ways Podcast: Episode 1
YouTube video by Look Both Ways with David & Wes
www.youtube.com
A bit of news:
@wesmars.bsky.social & I are launching Look Both Ways, a new podcast where we’ll debate everything transportation – from street design to robotaxis to fare-free transit.
First episode will be recorded live on Thurs, July 17th at 6p ET.
Join us then (and subscribe) ⤵️
🧵
@wesmars.bsky.social & I are launching Look Both Ways, a new podcast where we’ll debate everything transportation – from street design to robotaxis to fare-free transit.
First episode will be recorded live on Thurs, July 17th at 6p ET.
Join us then (and subscribe) ⤵️
🧵
Want to run social media for an aggressively reform-minded NYCDOT?
Now's your chance.
cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/creative...
Now's your chance.
cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/creative...
February 13, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Want to run social media for an aggressively reform-minded NYCDOT?
Now's your chance.
cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/creative...
Now's your chance.
cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/creative...
Seems bad:
"Our current roadspace regime—free driving lanes here, metered parking there—is a patchwork that autonomous vehicles will arbitrage relentlessly."
From @reillybrennan.com, sharp thinking here about AVs' impact on streets of the future.
"Our current roadspace regime—free driving lanes here, metered parking there—is a patchwork that autonomous vehicles will arbitrage relentlessly."
From @reillybrennan.com, sharp thinking here about AVs' impact on streets of the future.
The Pauking Edition
On curb patience, slow-rolling Waymos, and the price of presence.
whyisthisinteresting.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Seems bad:
"Our current roadspace regime—free driving lanes here, metered parking there—is a patchwork that autonomous vehicles will arbitrage relentlessly."
From @reillybrennan.com, sharp thinking here about AVs' impact on streets of the future.
"Our current roadspace regime—free driving lanes here, metered parking there—is a patchwork that autonomous vehicles will arbitrage relentlessly."
From @reillybrennan.com, sharp thinking here about AVs' impact on streets of the future.
This is regulatory failure. Blame NHTSA and Congress.
Tesla never should've been allowed to sell driver assistance systems misleadingly called Autopilot or Full-Self Driving. Of course people got confused!
Competitors like Ford would be far more cautious Tesla had paid a price for its deception.
Tesla never should've been allowed to sell driver assistance systems misleadingly called Autopilot or Full-Self Driving. Of course people got confused!
Competitors like Ford would be far more cautious Tesla had paid a price for its deception.
Hands-Free Driving Systems Confuse Drivers, but Carmakers Push for More
The NHTSA is investigating Ford’s product after deadly crashes. The company’s research during development showed the technology can be misunderstood.
www.wsj.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:41 PM
This is regulatory failure. Blame NHTSA and Congress.
Tesla never should've been allowed to sell driver assistance systems misleadingly called Autopilot or Full-Self Driving. Of course people got confused!
Competitors like Ford would be far more cautious Tesla had paid a price for its deception.
Tesla never should've been allowed to sell driver assistance systems misleadingly called Autopilot or Full-Self Driving. Of course people got confused!
Competitors like Ford would be far more cautious Tesla had paid a price for its deception.
New research finds that ~18% of Americans would like to live car-free -- more than double the share that currently does.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
February 11, 2026 at 1:37 PM
New research finds that ~18% of Americans would like to live car-free -- more than double the share that currently does.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
The research is clear: Cities have many reliable ways to curtail speeding.
Lower the posted limit. Deploy traffic cameras. Insert speed humps. Install road diets.
They all work – and most residents support them.But implementation often feels like pulling teeth.
In Bloomberg, I explored why.
Lower the posted limit. Deploy traffic cameras. Insert speed humps. Install road diets.
They all work – and most residents support them.But implementation often feels like pulling teeth.
In Bloomberg, I explored why.
The Best Tactics for Tackling Speeders
Drivers who exceed speed limits are the cause of about one-third of all crash deaths in the US. To slow them down and save lives, cities have several effective tools.
www.bloomberg.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:20 PM
The research is clear: Cities have many reliable ways to curtail speeding.
Lower the posted limit. Deploy traffic cameras. Insert speed humps. Install road diets.
They all work – and most residents support them.But implementation often feels like pulling teeth.
In Bloomberg, I explored why.
Lower the posted limit. Deploy traffic cameras. Insert speed humps. Install road diets.
They all work – and most residents support them.But implementation often feels like pulling teeth.
In Bloomberg, I explored why.
I hear a lot about a future of "shared" AVs where riders travel with strangers. Not gonna happen.
Most people -- esp women, as per this study -- don't want to sit alone with someone stinky or creepy. Nor are they willing to let others' itineraries dictate their route.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Most people -- esp women, as per this study -- don't want to sit alone with someone stinky or creepy. Nor are they willing to let others' itineraries dictate their route.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
February 10, 2026 at 1:28 PM
I hear a lot about a future of "shared" AVs where riders travel with strangers. Not gonna happen.
Most people -- esp women, as per this study -- don't want to sit alone with someone stinky or creepy. Nor are they willing to let others' itineraries dictate their route.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Most people -- esp women, as per this study -- don't want to sit alone with someone stinky or creepy. Nor are they willing to let others' itineraries dictate their route.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Minivan sales jumped 20% in 2025.
Excellent news for families, pedestrians, and everyone who loathes oversized SUVs and pickups.
Excellent news for families, pedestrians, and everyone who loathes oversized SUVs and pickups.
Minivans Make a Comeback - Headlight.news
After years of being ignored by most buyers, minivans posted a big jump in demand in 2025. What's behind that surge - and will it continue?
headlight.news
February 9, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Minivan sales jumped 20% in 2025.
Excellent news for families, pedestrians, and everyone who loathes oversized SUVs and pickups.
Excellent news for families, pedestrians, and everyone who loathes oversized SUVs and pickups.
Very cool paper measuring pedestrian volumes on NYC streets and examining crash risks:
"Intersections with the highest pedestrian injury risk are often outside Manhattan, where exposure-adjusted danger is the greatest."
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
"Intersections with the highest pedestrian injury risk are often outside Manhattan, where exposure-adjusted danger is the greatest."
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
February 9, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Very cool paper measuring pedestrian volumes on NYC streets and examining crash risks:
"Intersections with the highest pedestrian injury risk are often outside Manhattan, where exposure-adjusted danger is the greatest."
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
"Intersections with the highest pedestrian injury risk are often outside Manhattan, where exposure-adjusted danger is the greatest."
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
The ghost of John Forester casts a long shadow
As a bicyclist what I would really like more than anything else is to not be treated like someone on foot and also not treated as if I am encased in a half ton of safety measures and a big ass engine
February 9, 2026 at 2:12 PM
The ghost of John Forester casts a long shadow
Reposted by David Zipper
Insightful piece from @davidzipper.bsky.social: “If AVs are 20% safer than human drivers and expand total driving by 30%, total crashes would increase by 4%”
I think the jury is still out on how AVs are going to affect systemwide goals like Vision Zero.
I think the jury is still out on how AVs are going to affect systemwide goals like Vision Zero.
We Still Don’t Know if Robotaxis Are Safer Than Human Drivers
And even if self-driving technology proves to be less dangerous, there are many better ways to improve traffic safety and prevent fatal crashes.
www.bloomberg.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Insightful piece from @davidzipper.bsky.social: “If AVs are 20% safer than human drivers and expand total driving by 30%, total crashes would increase by 4%”
I think the jury is still out on how AVs are going to affect systemwide goals like Vision Zero.
I think the jury is still out on how AVs are going to affect systemwide goals like Vision Zero.
New paper finds that US bike deaths have "trended toward lower-density suburban areas" rather than central cities
Those killed tend to be poor and non-white.
Lesson: The suburbanization of poverty could be contributing to the surging number of cyclist fatalities.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
Those killed tend to be poor and non-white.
Lesson: The suburbanization of poverty could be contributing to the surging number of cyclist fatalities.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
February 8, 2026 at 3:26 PM
New paper finds that US bike deaths have "trended toward lower-density suburban areas" rather than central cities
Those killed tend to be poor and non-white.
Lesson: The suburbanization of poverty could be contributing to the surging number of cyclist fatalities.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
Those killed tend to be poor and non-white.
Lesson: The suburbanization of poverty could be contributing to the surging number of cyclist fatalities.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
Reposted by David Zipper
It's true! We agreed that one (1) Trump idea for transportation is genuinely terrific. (Hint: It's not dressing up before going to the airport.)
Thanks for the kind words, @jordihoney.bsky.social.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Thanks for the kind words, @jordihoney.bsky.social.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
February 7, 2026 at 4:46 PM
It's true! We agreed that one (1) Trump idea for transportation is genuinely terrific. (Hint: It's not dressing up before going to the airport.)
Thanks for the kind words, @jordihoney.bsky.social.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Thanks for the kind words, @jordihoney.bsky.social.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
It's perfectly fine for AV co's to use teleoperators -- they need human backstops if their tech gets confused.
But Waymo et al. have said little about them. That erodes trust.
For instance:
🔹 How many is "enough" to handle emergencies?
🔹 What if one shows up drunk?
🔹 What's the latency rate?
But Waymo et al. have said little about them. That erodes trust.
For instance:
🔹 How many is "enough" to handle emergencies?
🔹 What if one shows up drunk?
🔹 What's the latency rate?
Once again, it turns out “fully autonomous” means “a guy in the Philippines.”
It Turns Out Waymos Are Being Controlled by Workers in the Philippines
During a Congressional hearing, Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, was grilled over the company's reliance on overseas workers.
futurism.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:40 PM
It's perfectly fine for AV co's to use teleoperators -- they need human backstops if their tech gets confused.
But Waymo et al. have said little about them. That erodes trust.
For instance:
🔹 How many is "enough" to handle emergencies?
🔹 What if one shows up drunk?
🔹 What's the latency rate?
But Waymo et al. have said little about them. That erodes trust.
For instance:
🔹 How many is "enough" to handle emergencies?
🔹 What if one shows up drunk?
🔹 What's the latency rate?
DC doesn’t need a second airport named after a president whom locals despise
Trump Administration Live Updates: Schumer Pressured to Support Renaming Dulles and Penn Station for Trump
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:07 PM
DC doesn’t need a second airport named after a president whom locals despise
I'll soon head to the Sunshine State to keynote the Safe Roads Summit in Fort Lauderdale.
My topic: How cities can prepare for an influx of AVs.
I'll be joined by @wesmars.bsky.social, my partner in crime on @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social.
Info: www.browardmpo.org/safe-roads-s...
My topic: How cities can prepare for an influx of AVs.
I'll be joined by @wesmars.bsky.social, my partner in crime on @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social.
Info: www.browardmpo.org/safe-roads-s...
February 5, 2026 at 1:47 PM
I'll soon head to the Sunshine State to keynote the Safe Roads Summit in Fort Lauderdale.
My topic: How cities can prepare for an influx of AVs.
I'll be joined by @wesmars.bsky.social, my partner in crime on @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social.
Info: www.browardmpo.org/safe-roads-s...
My topic: How cities can prepare for an influx of AVs.
I'll be joined by @wesmars.bsky.social, my partner in crime on @lookbothwayspod.bsky.social.
Info: www.browardmpo.org/safe-roads-s...
"The annual traffic fatality rate per 100k people increased by more than 33% across the 100 largest US cities but less than 5% in all other parts of the country [between 2008-12 and 2018-22]."
findingspress.org/article/1559...
findingspress.org/article/1559...
February 4, 2026 at 9:36 PM
"The annual traffic fatality rate per 100k people increased by more than 33% across the 100 largest US cities but less than 5% in all other parts of the country [between 2008-12 and 2018-22]."
findingspress.org/article/1559...
findingspress.org/article/1559...
Reposted by David Zipper
6/ The Post has lost over 375,000 subscribers in just over a year. If 10% of those readers subscribed to The 51st instead, we could hire 10 reporters and five editors, dramatically scaling our coverage of the city at this critical time. 51st.news/signup
Join The 51st
The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit news source for D.C. Our reporting is rooted in our conviction that local journalism is meant to make people’s lives better — no paywalls, ever. But that's only…
51st.news
February 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM
6/ The Post has lost over 375,000 subscribers in just over a year. If 10% of those readers subscribed to The 51st instead, we could hire 10 reporters and five editors, dramatically scaling our coverage of the city at this critical time. 51st.news/signup
Reposted by David Zipper
🧵 1/ We’re devastated about the layoffs at The Washington Post, which are gutting D.C. reporting. These journalists are an incalculable loss for our city. The 51st’s mission has always felt urgent, but now we know it needs to kick into high gear.
February 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM
🧵 1/ We’re devastated about the layoffs at The Washington Post, which are gutting D.C. reporting. These journalists are an incalculable loss for our city. The 51st’s mission has always felt urgent, but now we know it needs to kick into high gear.
Recommended reading for anyone trying to wrap their head around today’s WaPo news
www.linkedin.com/posts/mabaro...
www.linkedin.com/posts/mabaro...
February 4, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Recommended reading for anyone trying to wrap their head around today’s WaPo news
www.linkedin.com/posts/mabaro...
www.linkedin.com/posts/mabaro...
Reposted by David Zipper
@davidzipper.bsky.social thinks the rising popularity of golf carts suggests that the US has untapped demand for mnicars that are widespread across East Asia and Europe.
A snippet from the latest episode, available Thursday.
A snippet from the latest episode, available Thursday.
February 4, 2026 at 5:10 PM
@davidzipper.bsky.social thinks the rising popularity of golf carts suggests that the US has untapped demand for mnicars that are widespread across East Asia and Europe.
A snippet from the latest episode, available Thursday.
A snippet from the latest episode, available Thursday.
The DMV is losing one of the best transportation reporters in the US. I'm sad for Rachel, but even more so for DC.
Seems like this will be my last story for the Washington Post. A handful of my colleagues will still be covering local news in the DMV and I know they’ll do great work, but they and this region deserve so much better.
Trump administration limiting use of federal funds for speed cameras, calling them "unfair revenue schemes.” www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
February 4, 2026 at 3:05 PM
The DMV is losing one of the best transportation reporters in the US. I'm sad for Rachel, but even more so for DC.
Reposted by David Zipper
As the @51st.news's first full-time reporter, I don't actually disagree with this. We're building something new one brick at a time, but at this point it's simply not a one-for-one replacement for what's being lost at the Post. (Please read and support us, though!)
People keep saying that this is The 51st, but with respect, I don't think it is. The 51st has (admirably) positioned itself as an outlet to give voice to underserved communities. But the city needs, like, a sports page, an arts page
Spitballing/bargaining stage of grief: A “Washington Banner” outlet, spun off the successful Baltimore Banner and taking advantage of its backend, built out of laid off Washington Post Metro and Sports staffers and funded via a mixed nonprofit and subscription model…
February 4, 2026 at 2:54 PM
As the @51st.news's first full-time reporter, I don't actually disagree with this. We're building something new one brick at a time, but at this point it's simply not a one-for-one replacement for what's being lost at the Post. (Please read and support us, though!)
When I worked in the DC mayor's office, my colleagues and I lived in fear of WaPo's formidable metro team. We might loathe them at time, but we always respected the hell out of them.
Solidarity with everyone affected by today's cuts.
Solidarity with everyone affected by today's cuts.
Bezos orders deep job cuts at 'Washington Post'
The Washington Post embarked on severe cuts despite appeals by the newsroom to owner Jeff Bezos. The paper is to narrow its focus largely to politics and national security.
www.npr.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:49 PM
When I worked in the DC mayor's office, my colleagues and I lived in fear of WaPo's formidable metro team. We might loathe them at time, but we always respected the hell out of them.
Solidarity with everyone affected by today's cuts.
Solidarity with everyone affected by today's cuts.
What's actually unfair:
🔹 Drivers gambling with other people's lives when they floor it and hope they don't get caught
🔹 Police deciding whether to issue a ticket to speeders they pull over
Speed cameras are a solution — not a problem.
🔹 Drivers gambling with other people's lives when they floor it and hope they don't get caught
🔹 Police deciding whether to issue a ticket to speeders they pull over
Speed cameras are a solution — not a problem.
Trump administration limiting use of federal funds for speed cameras, calling them "unfair revenue schemes.” www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
Trump administration says it will limit funds for speed cameras
Cities are being told they can’t use some federal funds for automated traffic enforcement.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:16 PM
What's actually unfair:
🔹 Drivers gambling with other people's lives when they floor it and hope they don't get caught
🔹 Police deciding whether to issue a ticket to speeders they pull over
Speed cameras are a solution — not a problem.
🔹 Drivers gambling with other people's lives when they floor it and hope they don't get caught
🔹 Police deciding whether to issue a ticket to speeders they pull over
Speed cameras are a solution — not a problem.