Michael Smith
@mesmith35673.bsky.social
Seattle, WA
Software engineer and occasional Seattle Transit Blog writer
You’ll find me exploring the city by bike/bus or analyzing transit ridership data.
He/him
Software engineer and occasional Seattle Transit Blog writer
You’ll find me exploring the city by bike/bus or analyzing transit ridership data.
He/him
After two weeks of driving everywhere in the suburbs, it is wonderful to be able to walk to a cafe, take the train downtown (Seattle, not Federal Way), and bike to the grocery store.
December 29, 2025 at 2:06 AM
After two weeks of driving everywhere in the suburbs, it is wonderful to be able to walk to a cafe, take the train downtown (Seattle, not Federal Way), and bike to the grocery store.
It looks like construction has started on the 3 building, 700 unit development where the U Village Safeway once stood. More info: www.theurbanist.org/2022/02/23/7...
December 28, 2025 at 11:44 PM
It looks like construction has started on the 3 building, 700 unit development where the U Village Safeway once stood. More info: www.theurbanist.org/2022/02/23/7...
No street should get more than one general purpose lane (in each direction) until it also has a 24/7 bus lanes and protected bike lanes.
These are the lanes I would fight for first. there are plenty of smaller spot improvements I would do
(This assumes streets are not widened to allow bus lanes. This assumes car traffic must still be allowed on all streets)
(This assumes streets are not widened to allow bus lanes. This assumes car traffic must still be allowed on all streets)
December 28, 2025 at 2:48 AM
No street should get more than one general purpose lane (in each direction) until it also has a 24/7 bus lanes and protected bike lanes.
Seattle builds bus lanes like it builds bike lanes: short disconnected segments here and there. There are a few decent corridors, but Better Bus Lanes are definitely needed.
New Post: Seattle’s Transit Lanes in 2025 seattletransitblog.com/2025/12/26/s...
December 27, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Seattle builds bus lanes like it builds bike lanes: short disconnected segments here and there. There are a few decent corridors, but Better Bus Lanes are definitely needed.
Reposted by Michael Smith
New Post: New ORCA features next year: Open Payments and 3-Day PugetPass seattletransitblog.com/2025/12/23/o...
December 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
New Post: New ORCA features next year: Open Payments and 3-Day PugetPass seattletransitblog.com/2025/12/23/o...
Reposted by Michael Smith
#OnThisDay in 1904, a traffic count was taken at 2nd and Pike in Seattle: 14 autos. 3,945 horse-drawn vehicles. historylink.org/File/1637
December 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
#OnThisDay in 1904, a traffic count was taken at 2nd and Pike in Seattle: 14 autos. 3,945 horse-drawn vehicles. historylink.org/File/1637
Hard to argue with a well worded rebuttal.
December 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Hard to argue with a well worded rebuttal.
Jeremy’s post got me thinking about a car-free Fremont Bridge. If @seattledot.bsky.social and @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social are serious about mode shift, this would be a great project. seattletransitblog.com/2025/12/22/t...
We should build for the city we want, not the city we have.
We should build for the city we want, not the city we have.
December 22, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Jeremy’s post got me thinking about a car-free Fremont Bridge. If @seattledot.bsky.social and @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social are serious about mode shift, this would be a great project. seattletransitblog.com/2025/12/22/t...
We should build for the city we want, not the city we have.
We should build for the city we want, not the city we have.
Beautiful day on the beach! Instead using a beach chair, people were just sitting in their cars.
December 21, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Beautiful day on the beach! Instead using a beach chair, people were just sitting in their cars.
Your turn, Seattle.
Protected bike lane installed on MLK Avenue to improve cyclist safety in Albuquerque
Protected bike lane installed on MLK Avenue to improve cyclist safety in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque has seen a troubling number of cyclist deaths this year, and now, the city is testing a new approach to bike safety. There’s a pilot project that went u…
www.krqe.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Your turn, Seattle.
Constantine at the ST Board meeting: Pre-revenue trains will start cross Lake service on Monday!!
December 18, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Constantine at the ST Board meeting: Pre-revenue trains will start cross Lake service on Monday!!
Reposted by Michael Smith
Here's my Starter Pack of AI slop-free Seattle and PNW news outlets. Please let me know if you know of more that have committed to not using AI. go.bsky.app/CgTfMoe
December 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Here's my Starter Pack of AI slop-free Seattle and PNW news outlets. Please let me know if you know of more that have committed to not using AI. go.bsky.app/CgTfMoe
Kubly is spot on: “The second tunnel is the wrong constraint, at the wrong time, at the wrong price. And when we do make this investment, it must connect existing neighborhoods clamoring for access, not hypothetical redevelopments.”
NEW // Op-Ed: Defer Seattle’s Second Downtown Rail Tunnel to Save ST3
Op-ed by Scott Kubly via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/18/o...
Op-ed by Scott Kubly via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/18/o...
Op-Ed: Defer Seattle’s Second Downtown Rail Tunnel to Save ST3 » The Urbanist
# Tabling a second light rail tunnel through Downtown Seattle and redesigning Ballard Link to use the existing tunnel could save $4.5 billion, and Sound Transit has been too quick to dismiss the idea,...
www.theurbanist.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Kubly is spot on: “The second tunnel is the wrong constraint, at the wrong time, at the wrong price. And when we do make this investment, it must connect existing neighborhoods clamoring for access, not hypothetical redevelopments.”
Reposted by Michael Smith
NEW: Mayor-elect Katie Wilson has chosen Angela Brady, director of the Office of the Waterfront, Civic Projects and Sound Transit, as head of the Seattle Department of Transportation. Brady will replace Adiam Emery, former mayor Bruce Harrell's SDOT director and his former deputy mayor.
December 17, 2025 at 11:25 PM
NEW: Mayor-elect Katie Wilson has chosen Angela Brady, director of the Office of the Waterfront, Civic Projects and Sound Transit, as head of the Seattle Department of Transportation. Brady will replace Adiam Emery, former mayor Bruce Harrell's SDOT director and his former deputy mayor.
If the left turn lane to nowhere needs a buffer, shouldn’t the bike lane need that (and real protection) as well?
December 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
If the left turn lane to nowhere needs a buffer, shouldn’t the bike lane need that (and real protection) as well?
The Ballard stub option leaves the door open for a second tunnel. The second tunnel could even be changed to stop in neighborhoods (First Hill, Yesler Terrace) that are not served by Link.
New Post: Build the Best Parts First seattletransitblog.com/2025/12/16/b...
December 16, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The Ballard stub option leaves the door open for a second tunnel. The second tunnel could even be changed to stop in neighborhoods (First Hill, Yesler Terrace) that are not served by Link.
Design and build for the city you want, not the city you have.
We've got to figure out how to break this self fulfilling doom loop - projected car traffic volumes requiring us to maintain lane capacity for future traffic volumes that materialize because we've maintained lane capacity
Op-Ed: It’s Time to Imagine a Safer, More Connected Rainier Avenue » The Urbanist
# Rainier Avenue has too many cars traveling at dangerous speeds, but conventional planning practices make it hard to change that and design a future where Rainier Avenue thrives. Let's stop making ha...
www.theurbanist.org
December 16, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Design and build for the city you want, not the city you have.
Reposted by Michael Smith
I was so sad to hear about the death of a cyclist due to a hit-and-run on Beacon Ave. Allie was a beloved community member, avid biker, & advocate for safer transit & streets. My condolences to their family and friends. But condolences are hollow if we don’t take action to prevent the next tragedy.
December 16, 2025 at 12:14 AM
I was so sad to hear about the death of a cyclist due to a hit-and-run on Beacon Ave. Allie was a beloved community member, avid biker, & advocate for safer transit & streets. My condolences to their family and friends. But condolences are hollow if we don’t take action to prevent the next tragedy.
Reposted by Michael Smith
Tukwila, Renton, Kent, likely Auburn folks: the GO NOW evacuation order has been issued.
Green River levee fails, 'life-threatening' flash flooding possible
The National Weather Service says over 46,000 people could be impacted.
www.king5.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Tukwila, Renton, Kent, likely Auburn folks: the GO NOW evacuation order has been issued.
Reposted by Michael Smith
New Post: No New Tunnel Downtown? Sound Transit Explores Ballard Link Alternatives seattletransitblog.com/2025/12/15/n...
December 15, 2025 at 4:21 PM
New Post: No New Tunnel Downtown? Sound Transit Explores Ballard Link Alternatives seattletransitblog.com/2025/12/15/n...
Reposted by Michael Smith
HAPPENING NOW: A group of protesters have reportedly taken over the intersection on Beacon Hill where someone on a bike was killed by a hit-and-run driver early this morning.
I'm not on the scene yet, but was sent this photo from Beacon Avenue and Stevens Street.
I'm not on the scene yet, but was sent this photo from Beacon Avenue and Stevens Street.
December 15, 2025 at 4:04 AM
HAPPENING NOW: A group of protesters have reportedly taken over the intersection on Beacon Hill where someone on a bike was killed by a hit-and-run driver early this morning.
I'm not on the scene yet, but was sent this photo from Beacon Avenue and Stevens Street.
I'm not on the scene yet, but was sent this photo from Beacon Avenue and Stevens Street.
I can’t wait to visit the Panama/Chile border. It looks like it’s pretty close to South Africa too!
December 14, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I can’t wait to visit the Panama/Chile border. It looks like it’s pretty close to South Africa too!
Reposted by Michael Smith
Just after midnight last night, a driver struck and killed a 38-year man who was riding his bike at Beacon Avenue S and S Stevens Street in a hit-and-run.
spdblotter.seattle.gov/2025/12/14/d...
spdblotter.seattle.gov/2025/12/14/d...
December 14, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Just after midnight last night, a driver struck and killed a 38-year man who was riding his bike at Beacon Avenue S and S Stevens Street in a hit-and-run.
spdblotter.seattle.gov/2025/12/14/d...
spdblotter.seattle.gov/2025/12/14/d...
Almost tripped getting off the train.
December 13, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Almost tripped getting off the train.
People seem to like pedestrianized spaces, even in the winter. Sure would be nice if Seattle had more of them.
December 13, 2025 at 11:44 PM
People seem to like pedestrianized spaces, even in the winter. Sure would be nice if Seattle had more of them.