Josh Linden
@joshlinden.bsky.social
Is this the one? Spend a little too much time thinking about housing // transit // climate // cool maps. And not enough time learning how to garden properly. Member of the Montgomery County Planning Board, but all posts and opinions here are my own
I think Kaine genuinely cares about the people getting hurt...but saying "everybody will see" is such a pitch perfect example of why Dems keep flailing and failing
No, in this media environment, in this political moment, not everybody will see. In fact, few will see, and even fewer will care
No, in this media environment, in this political moment, not everybody will see. In fact, few will see, and even fewer will care
Kaine on why he thinks just getting a vote on healthcare is a win: "We're the minority party, but everybody will get to see who is standing for them when it comes to lowering their healthcare costs"
November 10, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I think Kaine genuinely cares about the people getting hurt...but saying "everybody will see" is such a pitch perfect example of why Dems keep flailing and failing
No, in this media environment, in this political moment, not everybody will see. In fact, few will see, and even fewer will care
No, in this media environment, in this political moment, not everybody will see. In fact, few will see, and even fewer will care
Not saying they can do it (definitely seems implausible)...but 186 miles of metro construction in less than 15 years would be incredible, to say the least
Here in Maryland, we're crossing our fingers that a mere 16 miles of (light rail) Purple Line construction will actually finish by year 10
Here in Maryland, we're crossing our fingers that a mere 16 miles of (light rail) Purple Line construction will actually finish by year 10
Tel Aviv enters the pre-qualifications phase of its massive metro project, which will evenly span 300 km, carry 600 million annual riders, and be completed in 2040
Israel launches first phase of $17 billion Tel Aviv metro megaproject
The Transportation Ministry and NTA - Metropolitan Mass Transit System announced the start of pre-qualification for Israeli and international companies bidding on the Tel Aviv metro’s construction — 7...
www.ynetnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Not saying they can do it (definitely seems implausible)...but 186 miles of metro construction in less than 15 years would be incredible, to say the least
Here in Maryland, we're crossing our fingers that a mere 16 miles of (light rail) Purple Line construction will actually finish by year 10
Here in Maryland, we're crossing our fingers that a mere 16 miles of (light rail) Purple Line construction will actually finish by year 10
If you care about tree conservation, you should be a passionate supporter of eliminating parking mandates
(also...that is a cute, affordable triplex. Portland's various housing reforms continue to bring the goods)
(also...that is a cute, affordable triplex. Portland's various housing reforms continue to bring the goods)
Parking was one of the more controversial aspects to Portland's Residential Infill Project.
This newly built triplex at SE 16th & Morrison is a good example of how eliminating parking requirements allowed a mature tree to be saved. www.redfin.com/OR/Portland/...
This newly built triplex at SE 16th & Morrison is a good example of how eliminating parking requirements allowed a mature tree to be saved. www.redfin.com/OR/Portland/...
November 10, 2025 at 4:41 PM
If you care about tree conservation, you should be a passionate supporter of eliminating parking mandates
(also...that is a cute, affordable triplex. Portland's various housing reforms continue to bring the goods)
(also...that is a cute, affordable triplex. Portland's various housing reforms continue to bring the goods)
Exactly the wrong kind of party leadership at the worst possible moment
"In fact, they were acting with the express approval of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and were reporting to him daily." prospect.org/2025/11/08/w...
Why Does Schumer Keep Trying to Cave? - The American Prospect
The Senate Democratic leader and his Gang of Eight keep trying to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. On Thursday, they told their caucus colleagues they had ten votes to reopen the government—i...
prospect.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Exactly the wrong kind of party leadership at the worst possible moment
Reposted by Josh Linden
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by Josh Linden
Only in Portland: Benson Boone surprising kids on their ride home with the Bike Bus before his concert. Pure joy. #BikeBus #BensonBoone
November 8, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Only in Portland: Benson Boone surprising kids on their ride home with the Bike Bus before his concert. Pure joy. #BikeBus #BensonBoone
"Zohran Mamdani will be the first mayor of New York City in decades not to own a car"
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
How Mamdani could push a bold redesign of New York's streets
The mayor-elect has articulated a vision for reshaping the city streets. Janette Sadik-Khan, the former commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation under the Bloomberg Administratio...
www.fastcompany.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"Zohran Mamdani will be the first mayor of New York City in decades not to own a car"
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
🙌
Purple Line streetcars will begin test runs on tracks from College Park Metro to the east, later in November, extending into the UMD campus in January. view.email.umd.edu?qs=3fa1b3ab6...
University of Maryland
view.email.umd.edu
November 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
🙌
This is a great example of why good things take forever
The desire to deliver fast improvements *in no way* precludes a DOT from evaluating a full suite of treatment options, grouping them into tiers of costs/complexity/benefits, and then proposing a phased program in sync with capital budgets
The desire to deliver fast improvements *in no way* precludes a DOT from evaluating a full suite of treatment options, grouping them into tiers of costs/complexity/benefits, and then proposing a phased program in sync with capital budgets
A constant theme talking to the MDOT staff at the meeting was that they wanted to deliver improvements as fast as possible and that more comprehensive improvements would slow the project due to environmental review, stormwater management needs, etc
November 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
This is a great example of why good things take forever
The desire to deliver fast improvements *in no way* precludes a DOT from evaluating a full suite of treatment options, grouping them into tiers of costs/complexity/benefits, and then proposing a phased program in sync with capital budgets
The desire to deliver fast improvements *in no way* precludes a DOT from evaluating a full suite of treatment options, grouping them into tiers of costs/complexity/benefits, and then proposing a phased program in sync with capital budgets
Don't know what justice will look like when we reach the other side of this. But I'm still confident it will come
And the eagerness of those involved - indeed the outright pleasure they show at causing suffering and pain - will be on full display and impossible for them to hide from
And the eagerness of those involved - indeed the outright pleasure they show at causing suffering and pain - will be on full display and impossible for them to hide from
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Don't know what justice will look like when we reach the other side of this. But I'm still confident it will come
And the eagerness of those involved - indeed the outright pleasure they show at causing suffering and pain - will be on full display and impossible for them to hide from
And the eagerness of those involved - indeed the outright pleasure they show at causing suffering and pain - will be on full display and impossible for them to hide from
Violently ripping a caretaker away from young kids at one of their most vulnerable times of life
I get why these assholes wear masks, and it has nothing to do with personal safety. Because if their families - or even their own kids, if they have them - witnessed them doing this bullshit...
I get why these assholes wear masks, and it has nothing to do with personal safety. Because if their families - or even their own kids, if they have them - witnessed them doing this bullshit...
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
November 5, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Violently ripping a caretaker away from young kids at one of their most vulnerable times of life
I get why these assholes wear masks, and it has nothing to do with personal safety. Because if their families - or even their own kids, if they have them - witnessed them doing this bullshit...
I get why these assholes wear masks, and it has nothing to do with personal safety. Because if their families - or even their own kids, if they have them - witnessed them doing this bullshit...
What a future we could have if more of our prominent leaders, and cultural influencers, use (and love) public transportation
A New Yorker cover shouldn’t make me feel like this, but here it is, making me feel like this
November 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
What a future we could have if more of our prominent leaders, and cultural influencers, use (and love) public transportation
Wow, big night for Dems across the country. Let's see how the major news orgs are framing it at the top of their homepage!
WaPo - "Dems' big night ... a rebuke"
CNN - "Dem sweep as voters send a message"
CBS (yes, even them) - "Dem sweep"
...
NYT - "Trump Tariffs! High-Stakes at SCOTUS!"
lol
WaPo - "Dems' big night ... a rebuke"
CNN - "Dem sweep as voters send a message"
CBS (yes, even them) - "Dem sweep"
...
NYT - "Trump Tariffs! High-Stakes at SCOTUS!"
lol
November 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Wow, big night for Dems across the country. Let's see how the major news orgs are framing it at the top of their homepage!
WaPo - "Dems' big night ... a rebuke"
CNN - "Dem sweep as voters send a message"
CBS (yes, even them) - "Dem sweep"
...
NYT - "Trump Tariffs! High-Stakes at SCOTUS!"
lol
WaPo - "Dems' big night ... a rebuke"
CNN - "Dem sweep as voters send a message"
CBS (yes, even them) - "Dem sweep"
...
NYT - "Trump Tariffs! High-Stakes at SCOTUS!"
lol
Congrats to Baltimore on passing a great package of housing reforms:
➡️no off street parking requirements
➡️single stair construction up to 6 stories (!)
➡️reduced setbacks for more flexibility
➡️no off street parking requirements
➡️single stair construction up to 6 stories (!)
➡️reduced setbacks for more flexibility
Mayor Scott signs controversial housing laws in effort to spur growth
A suite of housing and zoning reforms, once pie-in-the-sky dreams for some advocates, are now law in Baltimore, with Mayor Brandon Scott signing four bills Monday in a City Hall ceremony.
www.thebanner.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Congrats to Baltimore on passing a great package of housing reforms:
➡️no off street parking requirements
➡️single stair construction up to 6 stories (!)
➡️reduced setbacks for more flexibility
➡️no off street parking requirements
➡️single stair construction up to 6 stories (!)
➡️reduced setbacks for more flexibility
Reposted by Josh Linden
Essential research shows that particulate pollution—generated from motor fuels exhaust, tire wear, wildfires, factories, etc—is associated with dementia. More evidence that it is in the interest of public health to reduce pollution. (Gift link)
What the Air You Breathe May Be Doing to Your Brain
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Essential research shows that particulate pollution—generated from motor fuels exhaust, tire wear, wildfires, factories, etc—is associated with dementia. More evidence that it is in the interest of public health to reduce pollution. (Gift link)
"...while increasing the maximum allowable residential density alone is not sufficient to promote racial inclusion, building housing is"
New paper uses national zoning & housing metrics to test associations between zoning, housing supply & demographics, finds:
—Increasing max. allowed density is not associated with more housing.
—But increases in housing are associated with a higher Black resident share & lower white resident share.
—Increasing max. allowed density is not associated with more housing.
—But increases in housing are associated with a higher Black resident share & lower white resident share.
Testing the chain of inclusion: Examining if upzoning changes the housing supply and demographics of places using national data
Zoning policies have contributed to segregation in the United States, and recent government initiatives have aimed to reform these policies through upzoning—increasing allowable housing density. In...
www.tandfonline.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
"...while increasing the maximum allowable residential density alone is not sufficient to promote racial inclusion, building housing is"
Reposted by Josh Linden
you know how i keep saying single stair buildings are workhorse of walkable urbanism the world over?
here are 174 homes on a 2.2 acre block in seattle.
(16) 4-5 story single stair buildings.
what do you think FAR is?
what about lot coverage?
unit distribution?
here are 174 homes on a 2.2 acre block in seattle.
(16) 4-5 story single stair buildings.
what do you think FAR is?
what about lot coverage?
unit distribution?
October 29, 2025 at 5:53 PM
you know how i keep saying single stair buildings are workhorse of walkable urbanism the world over?
here are 174 homes on a 2.2 acre block in seattle.
(16) 4-5 story single stair buildings.
what do you think FAR is?
what about lot coverage?
unit distribution?
here are 174 homes on a 2.2 acre block in seattle.
(16) 4-5 story single stair buildings.
what do you think FAR is?
what about lot coverage?
unit distribution?
Sometimes the details w/r/t traffic control matter a great deal
Case in point, a stop sign at a crosswalk with a high volume of student-age pedestrians (or anywhere, to be honest) should not be located in a position where cars will be prompted to literally stop *in* the crosswalk
Case in point, a stop sign at a crosswalk with a high volume of student-age pedestrians (or anywhere, to be honest) should not be located in a position where cars will be prompted to literally stop *in* the crosswalk
The Summer Lim Memorial All-Way Stop, installed 20 days after her death.
We should not have to pay for safe streets with blood.
mocoshow.com/2025/10/29/3...
We should not have to pay for safe streets with blood.
mocoshow.com/2025/10/29/3...
October 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Sometimes the details w/r/t traffic control matter a great deal
Case in point, a stop sign at a crosswalk with a high volume of student-age pedestrians (or anywhere, to be honest) should not be located in a position where cars will be prompted to literally stop *in* the crosswalk
Case in point, a stop sign at a crosswalk with a high volume of student-age pedestrians (or anywhere, to be honest) should not be located in a position where cars will be prompted to literally stop *in* the crosswalk
I'm fortunate to live in a neighborhood with an incredible diversity of backgrounds & languages. It's one of the reasons we wanted to move here
But our VP is saying that no, it's actually normal & right for ppl to be racist, reactionary, distrustful, and segregationist
Nope, GTFO with that garbage
But our VP is saying that no, it's actually normal & right for ppl to be racist, reactionary, distrustful, and segregationist
Nope, GTFO with that garbage
Vance says it is "totally reasonable and acceptable" for people to not want to live next door to people who speak a different language than they do
October 29, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I'm fortunate to live in a neighborhood with an incredible diversity of backgrounds & languages. It's one of the reasons we wanted to move here
But our VP is saying that no, it's actually normal & right for ppl to be racist, reactionary, distrustful, and segregationist
Nope, GTFO with that garbage
But our VP is saying that no, it's actually normal & right for ppl to be racist, reactionary, distrustful, and segregationist
Nope, GTFO with that garbage
Yes, and...
You'll notice that the NYT's both sides "but" usually tees up RW talking points. Imagine if, instead, they reversed it:
"Critics say that [blah blah], but supporters claim his degree laid a foundation for his campaign message that is resonating with New Yorkers"
Very different effect!
You'll notice that the NYT's both sides "but" usually tees up RW talking points. Imagine if, instead, they reversed it:
"Critics say that [blah blah], but supporters claim his degree laid a foundation for his campaign message that is resonating with New Yorkers"
Very different effect!
One of the most psychotic both-sides headlines I've ever seen
October 29, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Yes, and...
You'll notice that the NYT's both sides "but" usually tees up RW talking points. Imagine if, instead, they reversed it:
"Critics say that [blah blah], but supporters claim his degree laid a foundation for his campaign message that is resonating with New Yorkers"
Very different effect!
You'll notice that the NYT's both sides "but" usually tees up RW talking points. Imagine if, instead, they reversed it:
"Critics say that [blah blah], but supporters claim his degree laid a foundation for his campaign message that is resonating with New Yorkers"
Very different effect!
On the one hand, it's beyond weird to see the *US DOT leader* obsessively disparage probably the best system of public infrastructure in the US, the envy of all other US cities (and much of the world!)
On the other hand...culture war is literally the only thing they know and care about
On the other hand...culture war is literally the only thing they know and care about
Sean Duffy: "If you're a Democrat, you're a liberal, you don't like cars and you want people to ride public transportation, I think that's wonderful, good for you. But if you want us all to ride public transportation, make it safe. Make it clean. Make is beautiful. I don't know why NY can't do that"
October 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
On the one hand, it's beyond weird to see the *US DOT leader* obsessively disparage probably the best system of public infrastructure in the US, the envy of all other US cities (and much of the world!)
On the other hand...culture war is literally the only thing they know and care about
On the other hand...culture war is literally the only thing they know and care about
Similarly, I rode this newest section of the MBT last weekend. And while it's the realization of a long-held dream, vastly improving connectivity & safety...
Gotta say, the surface quality is not great in places. Uneven, some bumpiness, just not a smooth ride. Not what you'd expect from a new trail
Gotta say, the surface quality is not great in places. Uneven, some bumpiness, just not a smooth ride. Not what you'd expect from a new trail
Progress on MET Branch Trail up to Maple St SW. Now paved, but not fully striped. Rideable but not officially open.
Looking nice, @ddotdc.bsky.social
#bikedc
cc: @washcycle.bsky.social
Looking nice, @ddotdc.bsky.social
#bikedc
cc: @washcycle.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Similarly, I rode this newest section of the MBT last weekend. And while it's the realization of a long-held dream, vastly improving connectivity & safety...
Gotta say, the surface quality is not great in places. Uneven, some bumpiness, just not a smooth ride. Not what you'd expect from a new trail
Gotta say, the surface quality is not great in places. Uneven, some bumpiness, just not a smooth ride. Not what you'd expect from a new trail
Reposted by Josh Linden
An interesting investigation in @upshot.nytimes.com today evaluating some of the challenges to improving buses in NYC—whether through speed or fares www.nytimes.com/interactive/... (gift link!)
Interesting tidbit: Bus ridership is basically back to pre-pandemic levels—but fare payment is way down.
Interesting tidbit: Bus ridership is basically back to pre-pandemic levels—but fare payment is way down.
October 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
An interesting investigation in @upshot.nytimes.com today evaluating some of the challenges to improving buses in NYC—whether through speed or fares www.nytimes.com/interactive/... (gift link!)
Interesting tidbit: Bus ridership is basically back to pre-pandemic levels—but fare payment is way down.
Interesting tidbit: Bus ridership is basically back to pre-pandemic levels—but fare payment is way down.
Not sure what it will take for our most prestigious media institutions to end their addiction to "both sides" coverage. And honestly, I'm not sure I want to find out
October 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Not sure what it will take for our most prestigious media institutions to end their addiction to "both sides" coverage. And honestly, I'm not sure I want to find out