John Levin
@jlstp.bsky.social
Saint Paul (and Minneapolis) - public transportation - biking - reimagining urban form
Reposted by John Levin
LOCAL HYPERLOCAL JOURNALIST ICON NEEDS THEIR BIKE BACK
Can y’all please be on the lookout for my bike? Last seen in Elliot Park. It is a black Biria bike with red pedals and stickers of local news orgs on the bottom tube. It also has a Brooks saddle and adapters for Wolf Tooth pogies on the handlebars.
October 9, 2025 at 12:08 PM
LOCAL HYPERLOCAL JOURNALIST ICON NEEDS THEIR BIKE BACK
Reposted by John Levin
Hi @npr.org! We worked late tonight putting together this handy pocket guide!
It doesn't address road design issues, but if we're going to educate road users, we should include drivers.
It's the size of a folded business card. Print it, fold it, put it in your wallet!
It doesn't address road design issues, but if we're going to educate road users, we should include drivers.
It's the size of a folded business card. Print it, fold it, put it in your wallet!
September 26, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Hi @npr.org! We worked late tonight putting together this handy pocket guide!
It doesn't address road design issues, but if we're going to educate road users, we should include drivers.
It's the size of a folded business card. Print it, fold it, put it in your wallet!
It doesn't address road design issues, but if we're going to educate road users, we should include drivers.
It's the size of a folded business card. Print it, fold it, put it in your wallet!
Reposted by John Levin
Trump, Carr, Sinclair, Nexstar, MAGA and the GOP badly don’t want you to be able to watch this. Sinclair and Nexstar are still banning it (I couldn’t watch it last night via Seattle). So it seems like every single one of us should watch it and share it on YouTube if they haven’t already. #Kimmel
Jimmy Kimmel is Back!
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
youtube.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Trump, Carr, Sinclair, Nexstar, MAGA and the GOP badly don’t want you to be able to watch this. Sinclair and Nexstar are still banning it (I couldn’t watch it last night via Seattle). So it seems like every single one of us should watch it and share it on YouTube if they haven’t already. #Kimmel
Reposted by John Levin
This is the part of "Abundance" that I think we urgently need: our bureaucratic agencies/systems are not up to the task. They end up being small c conservative. And I think progressive mayors/govs/etc seem unwilling to think about what it would be like to explicitly reshape bureaucracy.
Read this expert's explanation of the difficulty residents face in taming or even eliminating freeways through city neighborhoods. The one-sidedness of the conversation is built into the process, yet it's what we must break through for healthier, safer, economically vibrant communities.
Little ‘Rethinking’ Went into Rethinking I-94
MnDOT signaled intent to abandon any boulevard or reduced-capacity options for the Rethinking I-94 project. What’s their process for assessing project goals?
streets.mn
September 22, 2025 at 2:48 PM
This is the part of "Abundance" that I think we urgently need: our bureaucratic agencies/systems are not up to the task. They end up being small c conservative. And I think progressive mayors/govs/etc seem unwilling to think about what it would be like to explicitly reshape bureaucracy.
Yes! to this.
I find the name “administrative citations” to be a bit wonky. I like to think of it as “let the City fine those who break the rules” instead of just looking at them sternly and hoping they will do better!
I find the name “administrative citations” to be a bit wonky. I like to think of it as “let the City fine those who break the rules” instead of just looking at them sternly and hoping they will do better!
Hey #SaintPaul! We're gonna need to vote in November to approve (once again!) Administrative Citations so the city can ensure sidewalks are shoveled, landlords are held accountable, and nuisance properties are fixed. Pledge today to support a Fairer StP!
📣 I'm Voting YES for a Fairer St. Paul by Nov 4th ✅
secure.everyaction.com
September 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Yes! to this.
I find the name “administrative citations” to be a bit wonky. I like to think of it as “let the City fine those who break the rules” instead of just looking at them sternly and hoping they will do better!
I find the name “administrative citations” to be a bit wonky. I like to think of it as “let the City fine those who break the rules” instead of just looking at them sternly and hoping they will do better!
As always @naomikritzer.bsky.social is clear, thoughtful, and spot on! There are clear differences in this election and pieces like this help everyone decide which candidates align with their values.
I wrote about Saint Paul's Ward 4 special election. tl;dr I would vote for Molly Coleman, despite some reservations.
naomikritzer.com/2025/08/08/s...
naomikritzer.com/2025/08/08/s...
August 8, 2025 at 10:55 AM
As always @naomikritzer.bsky.social is clear, thoughtful, and spot on! There are clear differences in this election and pieces like this help everyone decide which candidates align with their values.
Harriet Island is a lovely event venue: grassy fields on the river with spectacular views of downtown. What it does not have is good transit access. If one is genuinely concerned about folks getting to Harriet Island by transit, maybe start with that goal in mind. 1/2
SORRY, SHERYL CROW/WEEZER FANS: All 13 Green Line stations will go offline for 9 days, including the 3 days of the MN Yacht Club Festival, which is expected to draw 90,000 folks to Harriet Island. The St. Paul mayor's office is surprised -- and NOT HAPPY. www.twincities.com/2025/07/03/c...
City asks: Why are St. Paul’s Green Line stations going offline during Yacht Club music festival?
The closure, which took the mayor’s office by surprise, coincides with the three-day Minnesota Yacht Club Festival, which will bring some 90,000 fans to Harriet Island.
www.twincities.com
July 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Harriet Island is a lovely event venue: grassy fields on the river with spectacular views of downtown. What it does not have is good transit access. If one is genuinely concerned about folks getting to Harriet Island by transit, maybe start with that goal in mind. 1/2
May 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Calling all transit information sleuths:
Dear friends gifted me this bus stop sign from a rummage sale in western Wisconsin and I can’t figure out where it’s from. Ideas?
Dear friends gifted me this bus stop sign from a rummage sale in western Wisconsin and I can’t figure out where it’s from. Ideas?
May 19, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Calling all transit information sleuths:
Dear friends gifted me this bus stop sign from a rummage sale in western Wisconsin and I can’t figure out where it’s from. Ideas?
Dear friends gifted me this bus stop sign from a rummage sale in western Wisconsin and I can’t figure out where it’s from. Ideas?
Thinking about a sign to make for the rally tomorrow. Maybe I have an old one around here I can use. Ah yes...
NO MORE GUNS, NO MORE WAR
U.S. OUT OF EL SALVADOR
NO MORE GUNS, NO MORE WAR
U.S. OUT OF EL SALVADOR
April 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Thinking about a sign to make for the rally tomorrow. Maybe I have an old one around here I can use. Ah yes...
NO MORE GUNS, NO MORE WAR
U.S. OUT OF EL SALVADOR
NO MORE GUNS, NO MORE WAR
U.S. OUT OF EL SALVADOR
Twin Cities bicycle folks: Can anyone direct me to resources for local bike stores with public shops (i.e. public can pay for time to use the space and tools) and/or a good place/person to teach me to true a wheel.... I'm just not good at it...
April 3, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Twin Cities bicycle folks: Can anyone direct me to resources for local bike stores with public shops (i.e. public can pay for time to use the space and tools) and/or a good place/person to teach me to true a wheel.... I'm just not good at it...
So glad to finally see this rolling out (again). Speeding is a scourge that kills people and generally makes living in the city worse. The arguments about privacy have always been bullsh*t. Let's do this now. And let's do it in Saint Paul, too.
The unfolding traffic safety camera pilot program in Minneapolis might take a little while to reap rewards. The city just unveiled a map of locations, and the first cameras will be installed this summer. buff.ly/g6jaSTp
Slowly and strategically, Minneapolis rolls out speed cameras
The pilot program’s first goal isn’t to end speeding in the city but to show that the new traffic safety program is fair and effective.
buff.ly
March 15, 2025 at 12:51 PM
So glad to finally see this rolling out (again). Speeding is a scourge that kills people and generally makes living in the city worse. The arguments about privacy have always been bullsh*t. Let's do this now. And let's do it in Saint Paul, too.
Reposted by John Levin
From time to time, I meet someone new to Minneapolis or St. Paul who intends to try out the transit system. I tell them that transit is great, but using it can be harder than they think. Without a few tips and tricks, the experience can quickly sour. buff.ly/TiXQ9av
How Transit App is removing the mysteries of Twin Cities transit use
The Metro Transit “user experience” is improving, especially for those who keep up with technology like mobile apps.
buff.ly
March 12, 2025 at 7:55 PM
From time to time, I meet someone new to Minneapolis or St. Paul who intends to try out the transit system. I tell them that transit is great, but using it can be harder than they think. Without a few tips and tricks, the experience can quickly sour. buff.ly/TiXQ9av
Reposted by John Levin
This is so dangerous. It’s going to kill people. It HAS killed people. It’s killing people right now. I cannot believe this
RFK Jr: "It used to be that everybody got measles. And the measles gave you lifetime protection against measles infection. The vaccine doesn't do that ... it used to be that very young kids were protected by breast milk. Women who get vaccinated do not provide that level of immunity."
March 12, 2025 at 1:44 AM
This is so dangerous. It’s going to kill people. It HAS killed people. It’s killing people right now. I cannot believe this
Good morning to everyone but especially the METRO Green Line
March 3, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Good morning to everyone but especially the METRO Green Line
Heading to Dakota County on MVTA Route 446. Dope seats!!
March 1, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Heading to Dakota County on MVTA Route 446. Dope seats!!
Reposted by John Levin
If cities put half as much effort into restricting cars as they do into criminalizing people who rely on sustainable transit, we might actually have safe, livable streets.
Instead, fare evasion is treated like a crisis while car dependency gets a free pass.
Instead, fare evasion is treated like a crisis while car dependency gets a free pass.
February 16, 2025 at 12:50 PM
If cities put half as much effort into restricting cars as they do into criminalizing people who rely on sustainable transit, we might actually have safe, livable streets.
Instead, fare evasion is treated like a crisis while car dependency gets a free pass.
Instead, fare evasion is treated like a crisis while car dependency gets a free pass.
Reposted by John Levin
Found when sorting an old drive. I still, very occasionally, say 'not many badgers in the House of Lords' and this is why:
February 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Found when sorting an old drive. I still, very occasionally, say 'not many badgers in the House of Lords' and this is why:
Reposted by John Levin
I'm deeply saddened to share that Donald Shoup passed away last night. He was the ideal academic—curious, methodical, and concerned with turning ideas into real-world change. TAing his parking course these past few years has one of the greatest honors of my life. Rest in peace, Shoup Dogg.
February 8, 2025 at 4:34 AM
I'm deeply saddened to share that Donald Shoup passed away last night. He was the ideal academic—curious, methodical, and concerned with turning ideas into real-world change. TAing his parking course these past few years has one of the greatest honors of my life. Rest in peace, Shoup Dogg.
Reposted by John Levin
My first and definitely last time working with the Los Angeles Times. Editing out the most urgent point of an OpEd in the minutes before sending to press while then also assigning a title and image that suggest an argument entirely opposite to the author’s clear intent is pretty shitty.
January 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
My first and definitely last time working with the Los Angeles Times. Editing out the most urgent point of an OpEd in the minutes before sending to press while then also assigning a title and image that suggest an argument entirely opposite to the author’s clear intent is pretty shitty.
Reposted by John Levin
I wrote about bollards. Apparently they're controversial? MOAR BOLLARDS, I say! www.minnpost.com/cityscape/20...
Bollards: oft-forgotten urban pawns but essential to public safety
Tragedy on Bourbon Street brought into focus that simple urban infrastructure like bollards should be part of public safety strategy.
www.minnpost.com
January 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I wrote about bollards. Apparently they're controversial? MOAR BOLLARDS, I say! www.minnpost.com/cityscape/20...
Reposted by John Levin
If you live in Minnesota and like to bike and/or think that everyone should be able to bike safely around their community, follow @bikemn.bsky.social!
They do so much for us, including hosting some really cool events all over the state and advocating for us at the capital.
They do so much for us, including hosting some really cool events all over the state and advocating for us at the capital.
January 21, 2025 at 11:49 PM
If you live in Minnesota and like to bike and/or think that everyone should be able to bike safely around their community, follow @bikemn.bsky.social!
They do so much for us, including hosting some really cool events all over the state and advocating for us at the capital.
They do so much for us, including hosting some really cool events all over the state and advocating for us at the capital.