Erik
@eriklowe.bsky.social
Co-Executive Director at SpokaneReimagined.org.
Pinned
Erik
@eriklowe.bsky.social
· May 18
Why do I spend countless hours of my time advocating for better transit?
Because I know what is possible.
Spokane has the potential to be the most livable, vibrant, and innovative city in North America.
Now is the time.
Because I know what is possible.
Spokane has the potential to be the most livable, vibrant, and innovative city in North America.
Now is the time.
Reposted by Erik
The fact that most transit riders are used to getting treated like dirt gets treated as the status quo rather than a huge opportunity for public policy gains that could come from very modest changes.
January 19, 2026 at 10:26 PM
The fact that most transit riders are used to getting treated like dirt gets treated as the status quo rather than a huge opportunity for public policy gains that could come from very modest changes.
Reposted by Erik
Safe-streets investments do not need to be expensive or take a long time to construct.
In this case, Spokane used flexposts to create a curb bulbout. The result? A much safer crossing experience for pedestrians at an extremely low cost!
In this case, Spokane used flexposts to create a curb bulbout. The result? A much safer crossing experience for pedestrians at an extremely low cost!
January 5, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Safe-streets investments do not need to be expensive or take a long time to construct.
In this case, Spokane used flexposts to create a curb bulbout. The result? A much safer crossing experience for pedestrians at an extremely low cost!
In this case, Spokane used flexposts to create a curb bulbout. The result? A much safer crossing experience for pedestrians at an extremely low cost!
Reposted by Erik
Chicanes are a prime example of self-enforcing infrastructure design.
Unlike a speed limit sign, which relies on voluntary compliance, a chicane uses physical geometry to dictate safe speeds. It removes the choice to speed.
Unlike a speed limit sign, which relies on voluntary compliance, a chicane uses physical geometry to dictate safe speeds. It removes the choice to speed.
The chicane on 37th Ave S looks great! I’m looking forward to SDOT adding more features like this around Seattle to slow down cars and discourage cut-through traffic.
January 2, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Chicanes are a prime example of self-enforcing infrastructure design.
Unlike a speed limit sign, which relies on voluntary compliance, a chicane uses physical geometry to dictate safe speeds. It removes the choice to speed.
Unlike a speed limit sign, which relies on voluntary compliance, a chicane uses physical geometry to dictate safe speeds. It removes the choice to speed.
Reposted by Erik
I've been looking through old state transit reports recently, and was astounded at the fact that in 1976 Washington's intercity bus network carried 30 million passengers, half as many as every transit agency in the state at that time. Spokane had nearly 40 daily one way trips to different cities.
December 26, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I've been looking through old state transit reports recently, and was astounded at the fact that in 1976 Washington's intercity bus network carried 30 million passengers, half as many as every transit agency in the state at that time. Spokane had nearly 40 daily one way trips to different cities.
Reposted by Erik
The Bike Walk Roll Summit is back Apr 1-3, 2026 in Wenatchee WA! We're so excited for our expert keynotes, Dr. Destiny Thomas and Wes Marshall @wesmars.bsky.social.
Learn from our distinguished speakers how to create thriving communities. Register here:
cascade.org/rides-events...
Learn from our distinguished speakers how to create thriving communities. Register here:
cascade.org/rides-events...
December 18, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The Bike Walk Roll Summit is back Apr 1-3, 2026 in Wenatchee WA! We're so excited for our expert keynotes, Dr. Destiny Thomas and Wes Marshall @wesmars.bsky.social.
Learn from our distinguished speakers how to create thriving communities. Register here:
cascade.org/rides-events...
Learn from our distinguished speakers how to create thriving communities. Register here:
cascade.org/rides-events...
Reposted by Erik
Grateful to #Spokane Council for approving 27 by 27.
Last night, #SpoCouncil approved funding to build out 27 miles of new bike infrastructure by 2027.
December 11, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Grateful to #Spokane Council for approving 27 by 27.
Reposted by Erik
transit riders on transit boards
Met Council members oversee Twin Cities transit, but rarely ride it
In the last year, just half of those appointed to the Metropolitan Council have taken advantage of the free Metro Transit rides that come with their job.
www.startribune.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:15 PM
transit riders on transit boards
Reposted by Erik
"Mobility on Demand" is a means for local governments to subsidize their poor land use decisions with precious transit agency funds.
To illustrate, operating cost per passenger @ Spokane Transit Authority in 2024 was $9.42.
Fixed-route service efficiency increases as ridership does, MoD does not.
To illustrate, operating cost per passenger @ Spokane Transit Authority in 2024 was $9.42.
Fixed-route service efficiency increases as ridership does, MoD does not.
Cost per ride for Metro in the Othello Flex zone has been coming in at just over $30, which is on the low end compared to others. It's over $40 in Kirkland and $50 in Juanita.
December 4, 2025 at 5:07 PM
"Mobility on Demand" is a means for local governments to subsidize their poor land use decisions with precious transit agency funds.
To illustrate, operating cost per passenger @ Spokane Transit Authority in 2024 was $9.42.
Fixed-route service efficiency increases as ridership does, MoD does not.
To illustrate, operating cost per passenger @ Spokane Transit Authority in 2024 was $9.42.
Fixed-route service efficiency increases as ridership does, MoD does not.
I am continually surprised by the impact and reach our little organization seems to have.
I am just so impressed with @spokanereimagined.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I am continually surprised by the impact and reach our little organization seems to have.
Reposted by Erik
Thank you so much!
I am just so impressed with @spokanereimagined.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Thank you so much!
Nevada Street has seen three fatal crashes this year.
wtf
December 1, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Nevada Street has seen three fatal crashes this year.
One of the most baffling things I’ve had to come to terms with since starting my advocacy journey is how invested local business leaders are in shooting themselves in the foot.
It is essential that our downtown leaders start telling a more positive, exciting, and forward-thinking vision for downtown, instead of focusing so often on what is wrong with it.
Rose is extolling the virtues of downtown, but hates how much of downtown is devoted to "cars and parking." There are huge empty lots "where buildings used to be, where housing and local businesses could grow." Imagine how nice it could be to walk to the waterfalls from your downtown apt, she said.
November 25, 2025 at 6:24 AM
One of the most baffling things I’ve had to come to terms with since starting my advocacy journey is how invested local business leaders are in shooting themselves in the foot.
Wooooo!
Parking tax passed 5-2
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Wooooo!
Winning is always nice, but winning against such vehement opposition is next level.
I’m going to be riding this high for a while.
I’m going to be riding this high for a while.
Boom: Modest 6-12% commercial parking tax passes 5-2, with Cathcart and Bingle voting no. Takes effect starting April 1.
November 25, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Winning is always nice, but winning against such vehement opposition is next level.
I’m going to be riding this high for a while.
I’m going to be riding this high for a while.
Reposted by Erik
I feel like it’s getting lost that driving downtown is a *CHOICE.*
If you don’t want to pay a modest parking tax, don’t drive downtown! Take the bus! Walk! Bike! Take a scooter!
If you don’t want to pay a modest parking tax, don’t drive downtown! Take the bus! Walk! Bike! Take a scooter!
November 25, 2025 at 3:27 AM
I feel like it’s getting lost that driving downtown is a *CHOICE.*
If you don’t want to pay a modest parking tax, don’t drive downtown! Take the bus! Walk! Bike! Take a scooter!
If you don’t want to pay a modest parking tax, don’t drive downtown! Take the bus! Walk! Bike! Take a scooter!
Reposted by Erik
Hunter DePriest seems to be in favor of the tax because our current tax structure encourage land speculation - people buying plots of land, paying little to no tax on it, and sitting on it while waiting for it to increase in value so they can sell it. Parking lot owners "hold hostage," downtown land
November 25, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Hunter DePriest seems to be in favor of the tax because our current tax structure encourage land speculation - people buying plots of land, paying little to no tax on it, and sitting on it while waiting for it to increase in value so they can sell it. Parking lot owners "hold hostage," downtown land
Reposted by Erik
And they openly admit that they’re just gonna pass it on to consumers anyway!
I’ve noticed that the loudest voices urging City Council to vote no on the Local Option Transportation Tax are wealthy property owners. They warn it will cut into their profit margin even though they make plenty from their flat parking lots already.
Betsy Cowles (yes, that Cowles) Is here to speak on behalf of Riverfront Square and the Cowles Company. She wants them to vote no. It won't be an incentive to develop surface lots, she said, because development cost too much and "the rents don't connect."
November 25, 2025 at 3:03 AM
And they openly admit that they’re just gonna pass it on to consumers anyway!
Reposted by Erik
Lowe also said he thinks comments about the office vacancy rate are disingenuous because most of those vacancies are in three large buildings.
"Sounds like a skill issue on the part of the business owners, none of which are located in WA state."
"Sounds like a skill issue on the part of the business owners, none of which are located in WA state."
November 25, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Lowe also said he thinks comments about the office vacancy rate are disingenuous because most of those vacancies are in three large buildings.
"Sounds like a skill issue on the part of the business owners, none of which are located in WA state."
"Sounds like a skill issue on the part of the business owners, none of which are located in WA state."
Reposted by Erik
I’ve noticed that the loudest voices urging City Council to vote no on the Local Option Transportation Tax are wealthy property owners. They warn it will cut into their profit margin even though they make plenty from their flat parking lots already.
Betsy Cowles (yes, that Cowles) Is here to speak on behalf of Riverfront Square and the Cowles Company. She wants them to vote no. It won't be an incentive to develop surface lots, she said, because development cost too much and "the rents don't connect."
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 AM
I’ve noticed that the loudest voices urging City Council to vote no on the Local Option Transportation Tax are wealthy property owners. They warn it will cut into their profit margin even though they make plenty from their flat parking lots already.
Reposted by Erik
It is essential that our downtown leaders start telling a more positive, exciting, and forward-thinking vision for downtown, instead of focusing so often on what is wrong with it.
Rose is extolling the virtues of downtown, but hates how much of downtown is devoted to "cars and parking." There are huge empty lots "where buildings used to be, where housing and local businesses could grow." Imagine how nice it could be to walk to the waterfalls from your downtown apt, she said.
November 25, 2025 at 2:56 AM
It is essential that our downtown leaders start telling a more positive, exciting, and forward-thinking vision for downtown, instead of focusing so often on what is wrong with it.
Reposted by Erik
If you can make it, please come to tonight's Spokane City Council meeting at 6 PM at 808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard.
My comments for tonight's city council meeting regarding the proposed commercial parking tax.
It will be interesting to see if the council is able to pass this measure despite the overwhelming amount of pushback from Spokane's parking lot operators and reactionary business community.
It will be interesting to see if the council is able to pass this measure despite the overwhelming amount of pushback from Spokane's parking lot operators and reactionary business community.
November 25, 2025 at 12:04 AM
If you can make it, please come to tonight's Spokane City Council meeting at 6 PM at 808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard.
My comments for tonight's city council meeting regarding the proposed commercial parking tax.
It will be interesting to see if the council is able to pass this measure despite the overwhelming amount of pushback from Spokane's parking lot operators and reactionary business community.
It will be interesting to see if the council is able to pass this measure despite the overwhelming amount of pushback from Spokane's parking lot operators and reactionary business community.
November 25, 2025 at 12:02 AM
My comments for tonight's city council meeting regarding the proposed commercial parking tax.
It will be interesting to see if the council is able to pass this measure despite the overwhelming amount of pushback from Spokane's parking lot operators and reactionary business community.
It will be interesting to see if the council is able to pass this measure despite the overwhelming amount of pushback from Spokane's parking lot operators and reactionary business community.
Reposted by Erik
Spokane’s streetcar system, circa 1923.
November 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Spokane’s streetcar system, circa 1923.
Reposted by Erik
Cars are a policy failure.
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Cars are a policy failure.
Reposted by Erik
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!