Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
@mingweisamuel.bsky.social
Pinned
We have been working on a website for the guerilla bench project which is now presentable enough to share: bench.builders
See where benches are, report problems, and suggest spots that could use a bench.
See where benches are, report problems, and suggest spots that could use a bench.
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
Come through this Sunday! We'll be joined by @barnalighosh.bsky.social, @cecilialunaparra.bsky.social, @alfredtwu.com, @mingweisamuel.bsky.social, @brandonsedai.bsky.social, and @tsch.uy.
Bay Area transit just had one of its most politically successful legislative sessions in part because of @transbaycoalition.bsky.social & our leadership in the pro-transit community.
But there is still a lot of work ahead - so come party it up & help raise funds to strengthen transit advocacy.
But there is still a lot of work ahead - so come party it up & help raise funds to strengthen transit advocacy.
November 5, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Come through this Sunday! We'll be joined by @barnalighosh.bsky.social, @cecilialunaparra.bsky.social, @alfredtwu.com, @mingweisamuel.bsky.social, @brandonsedai.bsky.social, and @tsch.uy.
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
Spotted my first @ehbforbet.bsky.social bench in the wild (at Painter Park).
And it’s in a spot that has been in dire need of public seating for a very long time.
Thank you, @locallhuman.bsky.social & @ehbforbet.bsky.social !
And it’s in a spot that has been in dire need of public seating for a very long time.
Thank you, @locallhuman.bsky.social & @ehbforbet.bsky.social !
October 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Spotted my first @ehbforbet.bsky.social bench in the wild (at Painter Park).
And it’s in a spot that has been in dire need of public seating for a very long time.
Thank you, @locallhuman.bsky.social & @ehbforbet.bsky.social !
And it’s in a spot that has been in dire need of public seating for a very long time.
Thank you, @locallhuman.bsky.social & @ehbforbet.bsky.social !
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
California Prop 50 ballots are starting to arrive in voters' mailboxes. Don't delay, vote today!
#YesOnProp50
#YesOnProp50
CA: due to recent USPS changes, mail in ballots in some places may not be postmarked the day they are mailed but will instead be postmarked a day later.
Ballots must be postmarked by election day to be counted.
Mail in your ballot early or use a ballot drop box to make sure your voice is heard.
Ballots must be postmarked by election day to be counted.
Mail in your ballot early or use a ballot drop box to make sure your voice is heard.
October 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM
California Prop 50 ballots are starting to arrive in voters' mailboxes. Don't delay, vote today!
#YesOnProp50
#YesOnProp50
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
Mark your calendars‼️ On Saturday, 9/27 we're hosting our first official campaign event‼️
In partnership with the Minneapolis Public Seating Authority, we will assemble community benches for use in neighborhoods across the city. Food, drinks, and good times aplenty!
actionnetwork.org/events/bench...
In partnership with the Minneapolis Public Seating Authority, we will assemble community benches for use in neighborhoods across the city. Food, drinks, and good times aplenty!
actionnetwork.org/events/bench...
September 17, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Mark your calendars‼️ On Saturday, 9/27 we're hosting our first official campaign event‼️
In partnership with the Minneapolis Public Seating Authority, we will assemble community benches for use in neighborhoods across the city. Food, drinks, and good times aplenty!
actionnetwork.org/events/bench...
In partnership with the Minneapolis Public Seating Authority, we will assemble community benches for use in neighborhoods across the city. Food, drinks, and good times aplenty!
actionnetwork.org/events/bench...
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
We're happy to see an official Muni sign at Church/Duboce replace our community-installed one after 3 years! They even reused our mounting hardware 🥺
Make your own sign at munisign.org/
Make your own sign at munisign.org/
September 7, 2025 at 9:05 PM
We're happy to see an official Muni sign at Church/Duboce replace our community-installed one after 3 years! They even reused our mounting hardware 🥺
Make your own sign at munisign.org/
Make your own sign at munisign.org/
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
To put this loan amount in perspective:
California is spending $500 million to widen a 10-mile stretch of Highway 37 in the northern Bay Area (through a wetland, no less).
But $750 million to save the *entire* Bay Area’s transit systems is apparently infeasible.
California is spending $500 million to widen a 10-mile stretch of Highway 37 in the northern Bay Area (through a wetland, no less).
But $750 million to save the *entire* Bay Area’s transit systems is apparently infeasible.
We’ve been informed by the Governor’s Department of Finance that it won’t agree before our legislative session ends (on Friday) to finalize a $750M bridge loan to Bay Area transit.
This loan was agreed to in our June budget. Without it, BART, Muni, et al will cut service.🧵
This loan was agreed to in our June budget. Without it, BART, Muni, et al will cut service.🧵
September 7, 2025 at 11:54 AM
To put this loan amount in perspective:
California is spending $500 million to widen a 10-mile stretch of Highway 37 in the northern Bay Area (through a wetland, no less).
But $750 million to save the *entire* Bay Area’s transit systems is apparently infeasible.
California is spending $500 million to widen a 10-mile stretch of Highway 37 in the northern Bay Area (through a wetland, no less).
But $750 million to save the *entire* Bay Area’s transit systems is apparently infeasible.
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
The team of anonymous transit activists who put benches at Muni stops that had no benches in June has struck again, adding 12 new benches to bench-less bus stops in the Lower Haight, Bayview-Hunters Point, and Potrero Hill. sfist.com/2025/08/22/g...
‘Guerilla Bench’ Activists Back At It, Install 12 More Lovely But Unauthorized Benches at Muni Stops
The team of anonymous transit activists who put benches at Muni stops that had no benches in June has struck again, adding 12 new benches to bench-less bus stops in the Lower Haight, Bayview-Hunters…
sfist.com
August 22, 2025 at 10:03 PM
The team of anonymous transit activists who put benches at Muni stops that had no benches in June has struck again, adding 12 new benches to bench-less bus stops in the Lower Haight, Bayview-Hunters Point, and Potrero Hill. sfist.com/2025/08/22/g...
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
When a Waymo blows past a stop sign or illegally stops in a red zone, by design, there is no driver present to take responsibility. But what happens when a self-driving vehicle gets pulled over in Los Angeles?
By @marinamasako.bsky.social
Full story: lataco.com/waymo-traffi...
By @marinamasako.bsky.social
Full story: lataco.com/waymo-traffi...
August 22, 2025 at 7:49 PM
When a Waymo blows past a stop sign or illegally stops in a red zone, by design, there is no driver present to take responsibility. But what happens when a self-driving vehicle gets pulled over in Los Angeles?
By @marinamasako.bsky.social
Full story: lataco.com/waymo-traffi...
By @marinamasako.bsky.social
Full story: lataco.com/waymo-traffi...
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
I wrote an op ed for the Chronicle about how important AC Transit's new redwoods service is, with the agency taking a bet on transit as a way of life, not just a commuting tool:
www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...
www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...
The East Bay just got some good, and much-needed, transit news
OPINION: “Good news is in short supply. But on Sunday, AC Transit is launching its new Realign bus network — and that’s something to celebrate,” Evan Tschuy writes.
www.sfchronicle.com
August 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I wrote an op ed for the Chronicle about how important AC Transit's new redwoods service is, with the agency taking a bet on transit as a way of life, not just a commuting tool:
www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...
www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
IDEA: on one-way streets, let's make the sidewalks one-way too! To walk in the other direction, you'd first travel one block perpendicularly, to the next street over.
Or maybe that would be ridiculous and we shouldn't do bike lanes that way either? Hard to say
Or maybe that would be ridiculous and we shouldn't do bike lanes that way either? Hard to say
July 28, 2025 at 3:08 AM
IDEA: on one-way streets, let's make the sidewalks one-way too! To walk in the other direction, you'd first travel one block perpendicularly, to the next street over.
Or maybe that would be ridiculous and we shouldn't do bike lanes that way either? Hard to say
Or maybe that would be ridiculous and we shouldn't do bike lanes that way either? Hard to say
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
amazing, we added computers to a failsafe system from the 1860s and made it worse. who could have predicted this
New from 404 Media: we spoke to the researcher who found hackers can remotely trigger brakes on American trains. Says was ignored for years, DHS confirmed. "All of the knowledge to generate the exploit already exists on the internet, AI could even build it for you." www.404media.co/hackers-can-...
Hackers Can Remotely Trigger the Brakes on American Trains and the Problem Has Been Ignored for Years
“All of the knowledge to generate the exploit already exists on the internet. AI could even build it for you,” the researcher told 404 Media.
www.404media.co
July 15, 2025 at 2:18 AM
amazing, we added computers to a failsafe system from the 1860s and made it worse. who could have predicted this
If you'd like to help fund art on benches from local artists/writers you can pitch in here! www.gofundme.com/f/support-lo...
Donate to Support Local Artists: Beautify SF Benches, organized by Darya Yurkevich
The SFBABC (San Francisco Bay Area Bench Collective) is looking to raise fu… Darya Yurkevich needs your support for Support Local Artists: Beautify SF Benches
www.gofundme.com
July 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
If you'd like to help fund art on benches from local artists/writers you can pitch in here! www.gofundme.com/f/support-lo...
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
Transbay Coalition Co-Founder @carterlavin.bsky.social spoke to ABC7! yesterday about the importance of cities fully legalizing community-led bus stop bench installations in order to encourage & promote this pro-transit act of community care.
abc7news.com/post/wooden-...
abc7news.com/post/wooden-...
July 8, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Transbay Coalition Co-Founder @carterlavin.bsky.social spoke to ABC7! yesterday about the importance of cities fully legalizing community-led bus stop bench installations in order to encourage & promote this pro-transit act of community care.
abc7news.com/post/wooden-...
abc7news.com/post/wooden-...
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
To city officials who have to monitor, clean and possibly remove the guerrilla benches, they are a source of headaches. And potential legal fallout.
Mystery benches are appearing on S.F. sidewalks. The city isn’t happy about it
To city officials who have to monitor, clean and possibly remove the guerrilla benches, they are a source of headaches. And potential legal fallout.
bit.ly
July 7, 2025 at 11:40 PM
To city officials who have to monitor, clean and possibly remove the guerrilla benches, they are a source of headaches. And potential legal fallout.
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
they say if you want to have electeds who care more about transit, start building a bench
abc7news.com/post/wooden-...
abc7news.com/post/wooden-...
Wooden benches appearing at bus stops across Bay Area. Who is behind them?
The benches are screwed right into the concrete on city streets. Who are the people behind them? And is this legal? The only clue is this website leading us to the San Francisco Bench Collective.
abc7news.com
July 8, 2025 at 7:09 AM
they say if you want to have electeds who care more about transit, start building a bench
abc7news.com/post/wooden-...
abc7news.com/post/wooden-...
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
This is a nuanced perspective on the relationship between NWS cuts and the disaster in Texas: NWS got the forecasts right, but lacked staff who could preplan with and warn local officials of the dangers. P
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/u...
As Floods Hit, Key Roles Were Vacant at Weather Service Offices in Texas
www.nytimes.com
July 6, 2025 at 7:55 PM
This is a nuanced perspective on the relationship between NWS cuts and the disaster in Texas: NWS got the forecasts right, but lacked staff who could preplan with and warn local officials of the dangers. P
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/u...
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
Not enough people are talking about the embarrassing state of the @bart.gov faregates.
BART claims that their "Next Generation Fare Gates" are able to allow up to 40 passengers per minute.
Anecdotal observations show that they're managing less than 1/3 of that, closer to 12 px/minute.
BART claims that their "Next Generation Fare Gates" are able to allow up to 40 passengers per minute.
Anecdotal observations show that they're managing less than 1/3 of that, closer to 12 px/minute.
May 21, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Not enough people are talking about the embarrassing state of the @bart.gov faregates.
BART claims that their "Next Generation Fare Gates" are able to allow up to 40 passengers per minute.
Anecdotal observations show that they're managing less than 1/3 of that, closer to 12 px/minute.
BART claims that their "Next Generation Fare Gates" are able to allow up to 40 passengers per minute.
Anecdotal observations show that they're managing less than 1/3 of that, closer to 12 px/minute.
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
Petaluma Build-a-Bench Workshop (Free)
Build benches for bus stops and trailheads, July 26 & 27
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Build benches for bus stops and trailheads, July 26 & 27
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Petaluma Build-a-Bench Workshop sign up sheet
Want to learn how to build wooden benches for bus stops and trailheads as well as help build some benches? Sign up to participate in a hands-on bench-building workshop led by experienced bench builder...
docs.google.com
June 21, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Petaluma Build-a-Bench Workshop (Free)
Build benches for bus stops and trailheads, July 26 & 27
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Build benches for bus stops and trailheads, July 26 & 27
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
a lot of bus stops in SF are literally just a pole you have to stand next to, but today some guerilla-installed benches suddenly appeared
diy cozy architecture >>>>>
diy cozy architecture >>>>>
June 10, 2025 at 1:02 AM
a lot of bus stops in SF are literally just a pole you have to stand next to, but today some guerilla-installed benches suddenly appeared
diy cozy architecture >>>>>
diy cozy architecture >>>>>
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
This time-lapse video of protesters marching down Broadway in Oakland for No Kings Day gives an idea of how many people turned out today @sfchronicle.com
June 14, 2025 at 11:07 PM
This time-lapse video of protesters marching down Broadway in Oakland for No Kings Day gives an idea of how many people turned out today @sfchronicle.com
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
Will self-driving Tesla endanger Texas streets? Austin activists staged a demo on Thursday highlighting flaws in the company's "full self-driving" feature:
bit.ly/45ZX3bc
bit.ly/45ZX3bc
June 12, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Will self-driving Tesla endanger Texas streets? Austin activists staged a demo on Thursday highlighting flaws in the company's "full self-driving" feature:
bit.ly/45ZX3bc
bit.ly/45ZX3bc
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
Everyone saw Grand Park's hot pink benches being stacked into a barricade on Sunday. What an exceptional statement from RIOS, the benches' designers instagram.com/rios.imagines
"These pieces were designed to move, adapt, welcome, connect — and now protect"
"These pieces were designed to move, adapt, welcome, connect — and now protect"
June 11, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Everyone saw Grand Park's hot pink benches being stacked into a barricade on Sunday. What an exceptional statement from RIOS, the benches' designers instagram.com/rios.imagines
"These pieces were designed to move, adapt, welcome, connect — and now protect"
"These pieces were designed to move, adapt, welcome, connect — and now protect"
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
benches have gone up at bus stops around the Mission and parts south. thanks sfbabc.org !! everybody deserves comfort and dignity while waiting for the bus
June 9, 2025 at 2:35 AM
benches have gone up at bus stops around the Mission and parts south. thanks sfbabc.org !! everybody deserves comfort and dignity while waiting for the bus
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
The city of LA has removed three of our crosswalks in the past two weeks amid a budget crisis. We're now getting requests to put in crosswalks that were planned and committed to by LADOT, then rescinded for lack of funds ... where is the money for removals coming from?
As I noted a couple years ago in CityLab, cities that rush to remove guerrilla sidewalks end up reinforcing activists' claims.
Local agencies clearly *can* quickly adjust street designs -- they just choose not to.
Local agencies clearly *can* quickly adjust street designs -- they just choose not to.
The Case for Guerrilla Crosswalks
Activists are painting unsanctioned DIY crosswalks at intersections in cities like Seattle and LA. Transportation officials should understand why.
www.bloomberg.com
June 6, 2025 at 2:34 AM
The city of LA has removed three of our crosswalks in the past two weeks amid a budget crisis. We're now getting requests to put in crosswalks that were planned and committed to by LADOT, then rescinded for lack of funds ... where is the money for removals coming from?
Reposted by Mingwei Samuel 翁明伟
The Governor’s proposed sweep of $1.5B from cap & trade funds would cut emergency transit funding for operations & capital. For example:
Muni: $200M cut
BART: $290M cut
LA Metro: $250M cut
These cuts create a risk of service cuts.🧵
Muni: $200M cut
BART: $290M cut
LA Metro: $250M cut
These cuts create a risk of service cuts.🧵
May 22, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The Governor’s proposed sweep of $1.5B from cap & trade funds would cut emergency transit funding for operations & capital. For example:
Muni: $200M cut
BART: $290M cut
LA Metro: $250M cut
These cuts create a risk of service cuts.🧵
Muni: $200M cut
BART: $290M cut
LA Metro: $250M cut
These cuts create a risk of service cuts.🧵