Ken McLeod
@kenmcld.bsky.social
Bicyclist and policy wonk hoping to make the US more safe for people when they need to go places. Policy Director @bikeleague.org
Reposted by Ken McLeod
The Bike Advocacy Toolkit is here! A free resource for volunteer advocates (just $20 for nonprofits) to help you organize, build people-power, and win safer streets for everyone who bikes, walks, and rolls.
Learn more + register for the Oct. 14th launch webinar: bikeleague.org/introducing-...
Learn more + register for the Oct. 14th launch webinar: bikeleague.org/introducing-...
October 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The Bike Advocacy Toolkit is here! A free resource for volunteer advocates (just $20 for nonprofits) to help you organize, build people-power, and win safer streets for everyone who bikes, walks, and rolls.
Learn more + register for the Oct. 14th launch webinar: bikeleague.org/introducing-...
Learn more + register for the Oct. 14th launch webinar: bikeleague.org/introducing-...
So excited to have this new Bike Advocacy Toolkit available and congratulations to @tangythai.bsky.social @nondriver.bsky.social @mckelleykc.bsky.social Max Hepp-Buchanan and others who made it possible!
You can learn more on a Tuesday, October 14, from 3:00–3:30 PM ET webinar or order it today
You can learn more on a Tuesday, October 14, from 3:00–3:30 PM ET webinar or order it today
October 2, 2025 at 7:40 PM
So excited to have this new Bike Advocacy Toolkit available and congratulations to @tangythai.bsky.social @nondriver.bsky.social @mckelleykc.bsky.social Max Hepp-Buchanan and others who made it possible!
You can learn more on a Tuesday, October 14, from 3:00–3:30 PM ET webinar or order it today
You can learn more on a Tuesday, October 14, from 3:00–3:30 PM ET webinar or order it today
Weird data quirk of the day
Somehow NHTSA reports that 3 out of 4 drivers who had a travel speed of 40 mph in a 25 mph speed limit zone were not speeding when they crashed into a bicyclist and killed them
Credit, I guess, that all drivers going over 47 mph in a 25 zone were reported as speeding
Somehow NHTSA reports that 3 out of 4 drivers who had a travel speed of 40 mph in a 25 mph speed limit zone were not speeding when they crashed into a bicyclist and killed them
Credit, I guess, that all drivers going over 47 mph in a 25 zone were reported as speeding
October 2, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Weird data quirk of the day
Somehow NHTSA reports that 3 out of 4 drivers who had a travel speed of 40 mph in a 25 mph speed limit zone were not speeding when they crashed into a bicyclist and killed them
Credit, I guess, that all drivers going over 47 mph in a 25 zone were reported as speeding
Somehow NHTSA reports that 3 out of 4 drivers who had a travel speed of 40 mph in a 25 mph speed limit zone were not speeding when they crashed into a bicyclist and killed them
Credit, I guess, that all drivers going over 47 mph in a 25 zone were reported as speeding
Reposted by Ken McLeod
No war zone here. A beautiful bike bus with some great kiddos headed to school this morning in NE Portland.
October 1, 2025 at 6:06 PM
No war zone here. A beautiful bike bus with some great kiddos headed to school this morning in NE Portland.
"parents, your kid should be on a bicycle" - ok
But, the rest of this column ignores the 3-class system for e-bikes and the existence of class 1 e-bikes that require pedaling and max out at 20 mph
E-motos are an issue, the solution needs to include regulation from the CPSC and NHTSA on their sale
But, the rest of this column ignores the 3-class system for e-bikes and the existence of class 1 e-bikes that require pedaling and max out at 20 mph
E-motos are an issue, the solution needs to include regulation from the CPSC and NHTSA on their sale
This column deftly identifies e-motos as a serious issue, noting that they are not regulated like e-bikes and are much more dangerous, and yet the headline.... blames e-bikes?? www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | E-bikes are an e-menace
America’s streets are being swarmed by teens on fast, silent electric bikes, and injuries are rising.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:43 PM
"parents, your kid should be on a bicycle" - ok
But, the rest of this column ignores the 3-class system for e-bikes and the existence of class 1 e-bikes that require pedaling and max out at 20 mph
E-motos are an issue, the solution needs to include regulation from the CPSC and NHTSA on their sale
But, the rest of this column ignores the 3-class system for e-bikes and the existence of class 1 e-bikes that require pedaling and max out at 20 mph
E-motos are an issue, the solution needs to include regulation from the CPSC and NHTSA on their sale
Reposted by Ken McLeod
When we say months of political games, we’re talking even yesterday, where after we already had a bunch of volunteers lined up for Friday morning the Chair of the Transportation committee ripped the rug out from under us once again.
If you can join at City Hall at 1pm on Friday, please do!
If you can join at City Hall at 1pm on Friday, please do!
October 2, 2025 at 2:21 PM
When we say months of political games, we’re talking even yesterday, where after we already had a bunch of volunteers lined up for Friday morning the Chair of the Transportation committee ripped the rug out from under us once again.
If you can join at City Hall at 1pm on Friday, please do!
If you can join at City Hall at 1pm on Friday, please do!
"To help prevent more tragedies, TxDOT will be putting vital safety messages in front of drivers and pedestrians alike this month"
TxDOT should provide more lighting to prevent more tragedies
Since 2015, 572 pedestrians have been killed on unlit roads owned by TxDOT www.txdot.gov/about/newsro...
TxDOT should provide more lighting to prevent more tragedies
Since 2015, 572 pedestrians have been killed on unlit roads owned by TxDOT www.txdot.gov/about/newsro...
Shorter days bring deadly risks for walkers in Texas
AUSTIN – On a Sunday afternoon last fall, Brenna Cole-Pickrel laced up her shoes and headed out for a jog with her dog Daisy. Brenna never made it home.
A recently married major in the U.S. Air Force...
www.txdot.gov
October 2, 2025 at 1:49 PM
"To help prevent more tragedies, TxDOT will be putting vital safety messages in front of drivers and pedestrians alike this month"
TxDOT should provide more lighting to prevent more tragedies
Since 2015, 572 pedestrians have been killed on unlit roads owned by TxDOT www.txdot.gov/about/newsro...
TxDOT should provide more lighting to prevent more tragedies
Since 2015, 572 pedestrians have been killed on unlit roads owned by TxDOT www.txdot.gov/about/newsro...
Reposted by Ken McLeod
We cannot thank Lime enough for helping us with #WeekWithoutDriving
Save 50% on Lime rides this #WeekWithoutDriving (Sept 29–Oct 5) with code AMERICAWALKS! #LimeInstead
Post your ride, tag us, and join the movement!
Save 50% on Lime rides this #WeekWithoutDriving (Sept 29–Oct 5) with code AMERICAWALKS! #LimeInstead
Post your ride, tag us, and join the movement!
October 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
We cannot thank Lime enough for helping us with #WeekWithoutDriving
Save 50% on Lime rides this #WeekWithoutDriving (Sept 29–Oct 5) with code AMERICAWALKS! #LimeInstead
Post your ride, tag us, and join the movement!
Save 50% on Lime rides this #WeekWithoutDriving (Sept 29–Oct 5) with code AMERICAWALKS! #LimeInstead
Post your ride, tag us, and join the movement!
In most states, the majority of urban pedestrian deaths occur on the National Highway System and a disproportionate percent of urban bicyclist deaths occur on the National Highway System
There is a federal responsibility for a safety on the National Highway System www.datawrapper.de/_/XB4cn/
There is a federal responsibility for a safety on the National Highway System www.datawrapper.de/_/XB4cn/
October 1, 2025 at 2:41 PM
In most states, the majority of urban pedestrian deaths occur on the National Highway System and a disproportionate percent of urban bicyclist deaths occur on the National Highway System
There is a federal responsibility for a safety on the National Highway System www.datawrapper.de/_/XB4cn/
There is a federal responsibility for a safety on the National Highway System www.datawrapper.de/_/XB4cn/
"[Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven] Bradbury said DOT is not opposed to bike lanes, but called them 'more of a local interest' except in cases where there is a 'strong safety need.'" www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
Congress create grant programs
Communities chose to pursue bike lanes
Congress create grant programs
Communities chose to pursue bike lanes
DOT to cancel ‘small number’ of Biden-era awards as grant probe nears end, official says
Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury said at a POLITICO event that DOT has “worked through” around 3,000 awards announced but never finalized by the Biden administration.
www.politico.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
"[Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven] Bradbury said DOT is not opposed to bike lanes, but called them 'more of a local interest' except in cases where there is a 'strong safety need.'" www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
Congress create grant programs
Communities chose to pursue bike lanes
Congress create grant programs
Communities chose to pursue bike lanes
“These vehicles are designed to get hit so people don’t have to” - Kay Kelly, CDOT’s chief of innovative mobility
“The [lead vehicle] does the work, while the driverless vehicle mirrors its path" to protect the worker(s) in the lead vehicle www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/09/30/s...
Cool tech
“The [lead vehicle] does the work, while the driverless vehicle mirrors its path" to protect the worker(s) in the lead vehicle www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/09/30/s...
Cool tech
Self-Driving CDOT crash truck protects highway workers
Work zone crashes kill people each year but a new autonomous highway maintenance truck shields workers from deadly rear-end collisions
www.coloradopolitics.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:20 PM
“These vehicles are designed to get hit so people don’t have to” - Kay Kelly, CDOT’s chief of innovative mobility
“The [lead vehicle] does the work, while the driverless vehicle mirrors its path" to protect the worker(s) in the lead vehicle www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/09/30/s...
Cool tech
“The [lead vehicle] does the work, while the driverless vehicle mirrors its path" to protect the worker(s) in the lead vehicle www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/09/30/s...
Cool tech
This graph about bikeshare systems make it seem like Covid had a big impact on the number of systems - or some other event in 2020 causes a major drop in systems www.bts.gov/newsroom/doc...
September 30, 2025 at 1:57 PM
This graph about bikeshare systems make it seem like Covid had a big impact on the number of systems - or some other event in 2020 causes a major drop in systems www.bts.gov/newsroom/doc...
Idea: Send letters to neighbors of high-risk drivers detailing the types of citations given in the neighborhood and/or to people in the neighborhood and use those letters to promote street design changes that address those behaviors
Positively make the case to lower-risk people for safer streets
Positively make the case to lower-risk people for safer streets
September 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Idea: Send letters to neighbors of high-risk drivers detailing the types of citations given in the neighborhood and/or to people in the neighborhood and use those letters to promote street design changes that address those behaviors
Positively make the case to lower-risk people for safer streets
Positively make the case to lower-risk people for safer streets
"pedestrian safety best practices"
The video make it seem like the students will get a version of the recent @npr.org story that got a bunch of pushback for victim blaming
It'd be amazing if they did school-led safety projects to show that streets can be made safer, eg www.mass.gov/doc/pop-up-p...
The video make it seem like the students will get a version of the recent @npr.org story that got a bunch of pushback for victim blaming
It'd be amazing if they did school-led safety projects to show that streets can be made safer, eg www.mass.gov/doc/pop-up-p...
September 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
"pedestrian safety best practices"
The video make it seem like the students will get a version of the recent @npr.org story that got a bunch of pushback for victim blaming
It'd be amazing if they did school-led safety projects to show that streets can be made safer, eg www.mass.gov/doc/pop-up-p...
The video make it seem like the students will get a version of the recent @npr.org story that got a bunch of pushback for victim blaming
It'd be amazing if they did school-led safety projects to show that streets can be made safer, eg www.mass.gov/doc/pop-up-p...
Reposted by Ken McLeod
Week Without Driving is here.
Transportation should be a right, not a privilege! Many people don't have a license and struggle with daily travel challenges as nondrivers.
This week we are joining @americawalks.bsky.social to raise awareness about the barriers and gaps in our transportation system.
Transportation should be a right, not a privilege! Many people don't have a license and struggle with daily travel challenges as nondrivers.
This week we are joining @americawalks.bsky.social to raise awareness about the barriers and gaps in our transportation system.
September 29, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Week Without Driving is here.
Transportation should be a right, not a privilege! Many people don't have a license and struggle with daily travel challenges as nondrivers.
This week we are joining @americawalks.bsky.social to raise awareness about the barriers and gaps in our transportation system.
Transportation should be a right, not a privilege! Many people don't have a license and struggle with daily travel challenges as nondrivers.
This week we are joining @americawalks.bsky.social to raise awareness about the barriers and gaps in our transportation system.
"A staggering 96% of drivers admit to engaging in aggressive driving behaviors over the past year"
A "self-fulfilling cycle of aggressive driving and road rage is fueling a culture where impatience and hostility are becoming the norm behind the wheel"
newsroom.aaa.com/2025/09/stud...
A "self-fulfilling cycle of aggressive driving and road rage is fueling a culture where impatience and hostility are becoming the norm behind the wheel"
newsroom.aaa.com/2025/09/stud...
Study Finds Almost All Drivers Experience Road Rage, But It Can Be Stopped
WASHINGTON (September 23, 2025) -- If it feels like everyone has road rage these days, that’s because they probably do. A staggering 96% of drivers admit
newsroom.aaa.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:21 PM
"A staggering 96% of drivers admit to engaging in aggressive driving behaviors over the past year"
A "self-fulfilling cycle of aggressive driving and road rage is fueling a culture where impatience and hostility are becoming the norm behind the wheel"
newsroom.aaa.com/2025/09/stud...
A "self-fulfilling cycle of aggressive driving and road rage is fueling a culture where impatience and hostility are becoming the norm behind the wheel"
newsroom.aaa.com/2025/09/stud...
"States can transfer up to half of the National Highway Performance Program dollars into other funds, including the Surface Transportation Block Grant, Congestion Mitigation Air Quality, and Transportation Alternatives programs" under 23 U.S. Code § 126 without federal agency intervention
September 29, 2025 at 3:34 PM
"States can transfer up to half of the National Highway Performance Program dollars into other funds, including the Surface Transportation Block Grant, Congestion Mitigation Air Quality, and Transportation Alternatives programs" under 23 U.S. Code § 126 without federal agency intervention
Reposted by Ken McLeod
🚔🚸🚔🚸🚔
🌟Proven results: The Montgomery County Department of Police's speed camera📸 program successfully reduces driver speeds and injuries according to independent studies.
🌟Safer speeds=Safer communities for everyone. @montgomerycountymd.bsky.social @mcgexec.bsky.social @mococouncilmd.bsky.social
🌟Proven results: The Montgomery County Department of Police's speed camera📸 program successfully reduces driver speeds and injuries according to independent studies.
🌟Safer speeds=Safer communities for everyone. @montgomerycountymd.bsky.social @mcgexec.bsky.social @mococouncilmd.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
🚔🚸🚔🚸🚔
🌟Proven results: The Montgomery County Department of Police's speed camera📸 program successfully reduces driver speeds and injuries according to independent studies.
🌟Safer speeds=Safer communities for everyone. @montgomerycountymd.bsky.social @mcgexec.bsky.social @mococouncilmd.bsky.social
🌟Proven results: The Montgomery County Department of Police's speed camera📸 program successfully reduces driver speeds and injuries according to independent studies.
🌟Safer speeds=Safer communities for everyone. @montgomerycountymd.bsky.social @mcgexec.bsky.social @mococouncilmd.bsky.social
"A two-way protected bike lane and other calming measures on Van Buren Street cut speeding from 20% to 3%."
“'Van Buren is a great example of how a street designed for walking and biking is safer for everyone,' said [City Engineer Kevin] Muhs"
Safer Streets benefit everyone #SafetyOverSpeed
“'Van Buren is a great example of how a street designed for walking and biking is safer for everyone,' said [City Engineer Kevin] Muhs"
Safer Streets benefit everyone #SafetyOverSpeed
New Speed Data Shows Dramatic Impact of Milwaukee’s Traffic Calming Efforts by @jeramey.urbanmilwaukee.com
New Speed Data Shows Dramatic Impact of Milwaukee’s Traffic Calming Efforts
City's interventions are reducing speeds, crashes.
urbanmilwaukee.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM
"A two-way protected bike lane and other calming measures on Van Buren Street cut speeding from 20% to 3%."
“'Van Buren is a great example of how a street designed for walking and biking is safer for everyone,' said [City Engineer Kevin] Muhs"
Safer Streets benefit everyone #SafetyOverSpeed
“'Van Buren is a great example of how a street designed for walking and biking is safer for everyone,' said [City Engineer Kevin] Muhs"
Safer Streets benefit everyone #SafetyOverSpeed
"in the aviation sector, it's called the 'out-of-the-loop performance problem,' where pilots... fail to adequately monitor for malfunctions due to complacency... This lack of active engagement... can lead to a reduced ability to understand and regain control of a malfunctioning automated system"
Experts told me Tesla has gotten better at monitoring the behavior of drivers using FSD (S), which can't actually drive by itself
But amidst Tesla's Big Pivot to autonomy and robotics, it seems to be pushing drivers to use the feature exactly when they shouldn't
www.wired.com/story/story/...
But amidst Tesla's Big Pivot to autonomy and robotics, it seems to be pushing drivers to use the feature exactly when they shouldn't
www.wired.com/story/story/...
Tesla Is Urging Drowsy Drivers to Use ‘Full Self-Driving.’ That Could Go Very Wrong
The company’s FSD tech doesn’t actually self-drive. Experts say that advising customers to switch it on when they're drifting between lanes is exactly the wrong move.
www.wired.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"in the aviation sector, it's called the 'out-of-the-loop performance problem,' where pilots... fail to adequately monitor for malfunctions due to complacency... This lack of active engagement... can lead to a reduced ability to understand and regain control of a malfunctioning automated system"
Study of 77 state-owned pedestrian bridges – including 55 structures in Detroit: 21 are rated in “good” condition; 42 are “fair,” nine are “poor,” and five were closed because they failed inspection or had damage from truck strikes
aashtojournal.transportation.org/michigan-dot...
aashtojournal.transportation.org/michigan-dot...
AASHTO Journal - Michigan DOT Conducting Pedestrian Bridge Survey
The Michigan Department of Transportation wants the public to weigh in on which state-owned pedestrian bridges in the metropolitan Detroit area should be prioritized for rehabilitation, reconstruction...
aashtojournal.transportation.org
September 29, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Study of 77 state-owned pedestrian bridges – including 55 structures in Detroit: 21 are rated in “good” condition; 42 are “fair,” nine are “poor,” and five were closed because they failed inspection or had damage from truck strikes
aashtojournal.transportation.org/michigan-dot...
aashtojournal.transportation.org/michigan-dot...
Reposted by Ken McLeod
NHTSA is such a mess
Without new tests, or testing standards becoming stronger over time, the New Car Assessment Program has lost its value to communicate meaningful differences in safety to American consumers
More than 80% of tested vehicles got 5 stars in 2025, in 2011 fewer than 20% did
More than 80% of tested vehicles got 5 stars in 2025, in 2011 fewer than 20% did
September 26, 2025 at 2:26 PM
NHTSA is such a mess
The US is delaying safety tests - not regulations - TESTS that Europe introduced in 2016
Every US automaker has Automatic Emergency Braking on their vehicles, if they sell in Europe they've been tested for pedestrian safety for a decade
Is this innovation? 🙃
Every US automaker has Automatic Emergency Braking on their vehicles, if they sell in Europe they've been tested for pedestrian safety for a decade
Is this innovation? 🙃
"'The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was supposed to implement new rules to at least pretend to care, but that's now been delayed, Reuters reports.""
Feds Back Off On Pretending To Care About Pedestrian Safety - Jalopnik
While plenty of cities in the U.S. have announced Vision Zero plans, the feds and even local governments have never really cared about pedestrian safety.
www.jalopnik.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The US is delaying safety tests - not regulations - TESTS that Europe introduced in 2016
Every US automaker has Automatic Emergency Braking on their vehicles, if they sell in Europe they've been tested for pedestrian safety for a decade
Is this innovation? 🙃
Every US automaker has Automatic Emergency Braking on their vehicles, if they sell in Europe they've been tested for pedestrian safety for a decade
Is this innovation? 🙃
"Department officials said the investment will enhance safety by eliminating off-ramp lines of vehicles backing up onto the interstate"
This feels like safety-washing an interstate expansion project in a state that recently limited options for safer road designs boisedev.com/news/2025/04...
This feels like safety-washing an interstate expansion project in a state that recently limited options for safer road designs boisedev.com/news/2025/04...
September 26, 2025 at 1:37 PM
"Department officials said the investment will enhance safety by eliminating off-ramp lines of vehicles backing up onto the interstate"
This feels like safety-washing an interstate expansion project in a state that recently limited options for safer road designs boisedev.com/news/2025/04...
This feels like safety-washing an interstate expansion project in a state that recently limited options for safer road designs boisedev.com/news/2025/04...
“Enhanced bike and pedestrian infrastructure can reduce traffic congestion, improve public health, and decrease personal transportation costs, as well as positively affect property values, tourism, and business growth” - Vermont’s Agency of Transportation 🚴 www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-n...
www.mychamplainvalley.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:23 PM
“Enhanced bike and pedestrian infrastructure can reduce traffic congestion, improve public health, and decrease personal transportation costs, as well as positively affect property values, tourism, and business growth” - Vermont’s Agency of Transportation 🚴 www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-n...