Jeff Schrader 🇨🇦 🇳🇿 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇫🇷
@jeffbhamnz.bsky.social
Originally from Seattle, now living in Bellingham WA. Trying to find my way in this astral plane. Eventual goal: to travel the world and ride trains. 🇨🇦 🇳🇿 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇫🇷
When I worked in a cafe in NE Seattle, I saw that the bulk of our customers were from the neighborhood and just walked to our location. Most of the cars parked in front were by people who never frequented our or any other store. Cars do not drive business (pun intended).
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:58 PM
When I worked in a cafe in NE Seattle, I saw that the bulk of our customers were from the neighborhood and just walked to our location. Most of the cars parked in front were by people who never frequented our or any other store. Cars do not drive business (pun intended).
Seeing the fact Tumblr was down for a couple of hours as a trending topic on here made me realize how far out of the loop I am. I had no idea Tumblr still exists and is actively used. Figured it has gone the way of MySpace and Vine.
February 7, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Seeing the fact Tumblr was down for a couple of hours as a trending topic on here made me realize how far out of the loop I am. I had no idea Tumblr still exists and is actively used. Figured it has gone the way of MySpace and Vine.
Nuff said.
Paul Rothrock on having more lucrative offers elsewhere: ‘I think I’m going to be rich in other ways staying here.’
January 13, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Nuff said.
If this can be sustained and advanced in the current inhospitable climate for any mode besides cars, so much the better. share.google/dfgk5T5QcX6J...
Amtrak is booming: Why more Americans are taking its trains than ever before
More Americans are taking the Amtrak than ever before. Here's why the national rail service is having a moment.
share.google
January 3, 2026 at 5:33 PM
If this can be sustained and advanced in the current inhospitable climate for any mode besides cars, so much the better. share.google/dfgk5T5QcX6J...
I'm not one for making New Year's resolutions, preferring to gradually change from year to year. Ive done more walking in the city in recent years, ditching my car as much as possible, feeling more in the moment as a result. This is a reminder to keep in doing it.
9. Take every opportunity you can to participate in civic life. Linger in and enjoy good parks, places, and streets every day, not just during special events. Your very presence and engagement adds life, vitality, and safety to a place, and helps them be more enjoyable for everyone.
January 1, 2026 at 11:01 PM
I'm not one for making New Year's resolutions, preferring to gradually change from year to year. Ive done more walking in the city in recent years, ditching my car as much as possible, feeling more in the moment as a result. This is a reminder to keep in doing it.
Happy holidays, all. This album is one Christmas release that doesn't get overly sentimental and mushy. Nick Lowe sprinkles his usual magic over the proceedings, with inventive song choices, including Hooves On The Roof by @ronsexsmith.bsky.social. A good one for this tine of year.
December 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Happy holidays, all. This album is one Christmas release that doesn't get overly sentimental and mushy. Nick Lowe sprinkles his usual magic over the proceedings, with inventive song choices, including Hooves On The Roof by @ronsexsmith.bsky.social. A good one for this tine of year.
The coffee shop I'm in this afternoon is playing classic 50's and 60's country music. Ray Price, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, Buck Owens. It's a needed break from the non-stop Christmas tunes everywhere else.
December 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The coffee shop I'm in this afternoon is playing classic 50's and 60's country music. Ray Price, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, Buck Owens. It's a needed break from the non-stop Christmas tunes everywhere else.
One of these days I'm going to see Scotland.
December 21, 2025 at 8:36 PM
One of these days I'm going to see Scotland.
This is something that a downtown/CBD that relies entirely on cars to move people in and out cannot achieve.
A vibrant downtown thrives on a robust transit network. 12/23/25 ridership topped 19,000, a first for Spokane Transit on a Saturday in the month of December.
Reports of downtown’s demise have been extraordinarily exaggerated.
December 17, 2025 at 8:25 PM
This is something that a downtown/CBD that relies entirely on cars to move people in and out cannot achieve.
Agreed. Don't fall for the obvious rage bait from FOTUS.
Rob Reiner had one of the most wide-ranging audiences of any American filmmaker. People rewatch his films with nostalgia and joy. They quote them with parents and pass them down to children.
Ignore the other one's commentary. It's like a black hole commenting on the sun.
Ignore the other one's commentary. It's like a black hole commenting on the sun.
December 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Agreed. Don't fall for the obvious rage bait from FOTUS.
I figured as much having seen so many Uber and Lyft vehicles driving around the streets with no passengers for years
Don’t forget, for many years #Uber insisted loudly that it would reduce traffic in cities. Instead, Uber drivers cruise without passengers 40% of the time. Uber and Lyft no longer claim they reduce traffic. They now admit they increase congestion.
So much for “making cities better…”
Via @wsj.com
So much for “making cities better…”
Via @wsj.com
The Ride-Hail Utopia That Got Stuck in Traffic
Uber and Lyft said they would ease congestion. Instead they made it worse.
www.wsj.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:25 PM
I figured as much having seen so many Uber and Lyft vehicles driving around the streets with no passengers for years
Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in, Charlie Brown.
We’re going to need a bigger boat, Charlie Brown
November 25, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in, Charlie Brown.
But how will all the power centers and strip malls survive without parking lots two to three times as big as needed? /s
Anyone who claims there isn’t enough parking just remember
There are over 2 billion parking spots in the US alone
That’s enough parking for every American to own 5 cars
If we put all the parking spaces into one giant lot it would cover over the entire states of Connecticut and Vermont
There are over 2 billion parking spots in the US alone
That’s enough parking for every American to own 5 cars
If we put all the parking spaces into one giant lot it would cover over the entire states of Connecticut and Vermont
November 20, 2025 at 6:32 PM
But how will all the power centers and strip malls survive without parking lots two to three times as big as needed? /s
This would be a major change if it in fact happens. Expect more matches like the recent CPL final.
MLS owners are *expected* to vote on flipping to fall-spring calendar at Thursday's BOG meeting. Changes to competition format also expected.
Let's see if it actually comes to a vote, but implications are enormous.
Exclusive details with @tombogert.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Let's see if it actually comes to a vote, but implications are enormous.
Exclusive details with @tombogert.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
MLS owners set to vote on fall-spring calendar and season format changes: Sources
Substantial change could be coming to MLS's structure and operations following a Thursday vote, sources tell The Athletic
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:37 PM
This would be a major change if it in fact happens. Expect more matches like the recent CPL final.
Today's reminder that car commercials are lying to you.
The Mamdani text generator has some important messages to share.
November 11, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Today's reminder that car commercials are lying to you.
Walking, biking, and transit are components of urbanism, but they all serve the higher goal of improving cities. Implicit in this is a reduced focus on cars.
Some people think urbanism is all about making cities more walkable but it’s not
Urbanism is about making cities better places to live. Which means improving the amenities and resources people have access to as well as making sure people of all walks of life can afford to live in our cities.
Urbanism is about making cities better places to live. Which means improving the amenities and resources people have access to as well as making sure people of all walks of life can afford to live in our cities.
November 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Walking, biking, and transit are components of urbanism, but they all serve the higher goal of improving cities. Implicit in this is a reduced focus on cars.
Reposted by Jeff Schrader 🇨🇦 🇳🇿 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇫🇷
The Last Crumbs (In The Restaurant La Mie)
November 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM
The Last Crumbs (In The Restaurant La Mie)
"Cause, you know, induced demand only makes car centric problems worse."
“Hey, I thought everybody knew that adding more lanes to address traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to address obesity.”
November 1, 2025 at 3:10 PM
"Cause, you know, induced demand only makes car centric problems worse."
What we ultimately learned from Game 7 of the ALCS last night:
Elbows Up >> Tridents Up.
Elbows Up >> Tridents Up.
October 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
What we ultimately learned from Game 7 of the ALCS last night:
Elbows Up >> Tridents Up.
Elbows Up >> Tridents Up.
Interesting to see how the various stadiums (stadia?) score on accessibility via non-car methods. Vancouver and Seattle both do well here.
I ranked them all by Walk Score and noted transit access early last year. Walk Score doesn’t account for population reach, but it does reflect how walkable an area is based on number and variety of businesses and amenities there area.
seanmarshall.ca/2024/04/03/a...
seanmarshall.ca/2024/04/03/a...
A walk to the park? Ranking major league sports venues
One of the best — or worst — experiences in North America can be going to see a ball or hockey game, concert, or other special event at a sports arena or stadium.
seanmarshall.ca
October 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Interesting to see how the various stadiums (stadia?) score on accessibility via non-car methods. Vancouver and Seattle both do well here.
Reposted by Jeff Schrader 🇨🇦 🇳🇿 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇫🇷
Beautiful prominences launching off the Sun's eastern and western limbs today, wow!
October 17, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Beautiful prominences launching off the Sun's eastern and western limbs today, wow!
This is the best way to drive the point home (pun intended).
Enough.
Awesome to see this billboard up in Vancouver.
Was really incredible to work with the people at @visionzerovancouver.ca to bring this to life.
Awesome to see this billboard up in Vancouver.
Was really incredible to work with the people at @visionzerovancouver.ca to bring this to life.
October 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This is the best way to drive the point home (pun intended).
It's a good experience to have a store where the parking lot isn't disproportionately huge compared to the store itself. Makes it more inviting to those of us not reaching it by car.
One of these days we'll do an episode on why the parking lots at Trader Joe's are small. tl;dr: the stores themselves are small compared to other grocery stores which helps them find locations where they don't have to supply massive amounts of parking as mandated by local parking requirements.
October 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
It's a good experience to have a store where the parking lot isn't disproportionately huge compared to the store itself. Makes it more inviting to those of us not reaching it by car.
Always liked using the Sky Train and busses when I've visited Vancouver. As mentioned, high frequency so that you don't need to rely on a schedule is key.
Vancouver's TransLink is a rare success story in North American transit, with ridership almost matching pre-Covid levels. It might be the only big 🇺🇸/🇨🇦 agency that has *expanded* total bus service since 2019.
I spoke w/CEO Kevin Quinn about lessons from TransLink's rapid recovery. 🧵
I spoke w/CEO Kevin Quinn about lessons from TransLink's rapid recovery. 🧵
The Secret to Vancouver’s Public Transit Ridership Recovery
The Canadian city’s transit agency, TransLink, bounced back from Covid even as other North American systems have struggled. Its leader explains why riders returned.
www.bloomberg.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Always liked using the Sky Train and busses when I've visited Vancouver. As mentioned, high frequency so that you don't need to rely on a schedule is key.
Reposted by Jeff Schrader 🇨🇦 🇳🇿 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇫🇷
Here’s what I think the political pundits in Canadian media are getting wrong, in the conversation around how to get “wins“ from Trump in the illegal tariff war he manufactured.
I think he’s convinced himself that if he makes things terrible enough for Canada, we’ll want to join the US willingly.
I think he’s convinced himself that if he makes things terrible enough for Canada, we’ll want to join the US willingly.
October 6, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Here’s what I think the political pundits in Canadian media are getting wrong, in the conversation around how to get “wins“ from Trump in the illegal tariff war he manufactured.
I think he’s convinced himself that if he makes things terrible enough for Canada, we’ll want to join the US willingly.
I think he’s convinced himself that if he makes things terrible enough for Canada, we’ll want to join the US willingly.