Ryan Phillips
oregonryan.bsky.social
Ryan Phillips
@oregonryan.bsky.social
Policy researcher turned policy doer // Senior Transit Policy Analyst @ ODOT // Currently a runner // Views expressed are my own
Having solar installed on our house today and it’s very satisfying
November 12, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Won’t pretend to know much about VA politics, but this is how the peaceful transfer of power in a democracy is suppose to work.

www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Campaign jabs give way to ‘lovely’ lunch between Youngkin and Spanberger
Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) met for a traditional lunch Tuesday with outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) as she begins assembling her transition team.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
“We are home now. We marched from the park to ICE, very peaceful crowd. We were standing around ICE pushed us down, sprayed us with chemical and I was hit in the head with a projectile. This was so unprovoked. People have to know that the Feds are attacking people with NO provocation whatsoever.”
October 6, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
Many Oregon voters are stuck using flawed, outdated winner-take-all voting methods — even though their constitution calls out a better option by name. www.sightline.org/2025/09/23/f...
For Oregonians, Better Elections Are Hidden in Plain Sight | Sightline Institute
The state’s constitution lets localities opt for methods that better reflect their mix of voters.
www.sightline.org
September 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I regularly wonder if Oregon would have a better Democratic Party if it had a better Republican Party.
September 17, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
It’s so important to show people—esp public leaders—that e-bikes may look like traditional pedal bikes, but they’re used completely differently.

They’re like a miracle drug for replacing car trips.
Interesting study from Germany on e-bikes and the modes they replace:

"43.1% of electric bicycle trips and 63.2% of electric bicycle mileage would have been undertaken using a car if no e-bike had been available, highlighting their substantial potential to reduce transport-related CO2 emissions"
Further, steeper, greener: Implications from an electric bicycle mode choice model
Electric bicycles are transforming the active mobility landscape, potentially increasing active mode uptake and delivering environmental and health benefits. This study examines electric bicycle mo...
doi.org
July 24, 2025 at 10:05 PM
483 employees and almost 1000 positions overall were eliminated at ODOT today. Even when the OR Leg acts the damage has been done.

Next time an elected suggests that public transportation isn’t a “core service,” ask them about the tens of millions of rides each year. Are those all luxury trips?
July 8, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
The bill picked up a Republican vote in the committee, which is a very positive sign as it heads to the House floor tomorrow.

bikeportland.org/2025/06/26/t...
Transportation bill passes committee (again), now heads to floor vote
Dems have navigated rough waters and are on course for full passage.
bikeportland.org
June 27, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
Never forget that in US political discourse, the Pragmatic, Realistic position, the position that Understands Economics and puts away childish "luxury beliefs," is that US citizens cannot enjoy the public services & amenities enjoyed by citizens of virtually every other advanced democracy.
June 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
As my colleague and friend RJ's beautiful story conveys, transit's value is in providing you access to opportunities you would not have otherwise. Whether that's education, treatment, economic self-reliance, or something else, transit, when adequately funded, can get you there!

#orleg
"Transit isn't just live changing. It's life saving."

Thank you so much to Cherriots Board Member RJ Navarro for sharing your story at our SMART Framework Press Conference this week.

We must ensure Oregon's transportation package avoids any cuts to transit service statewide. #orleg
June 7, 2025 at 4:43 AM
FTA $1.1 bn low-no emission grant program now requires applicant to agree to cooperate with ICE on immigration enforcement.

Congress passes laws, appropriates funds, Trump administration does whatever it wants.

If only the Supreme Court and the Constitution had something to say about this…
May 27, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
Couldn't have said it better myself. “We are grateful to share the vision for a better transit system for all Oregonians, but the money must match the mission,” Cassie Wilson, transportation policy manager at 1000 Friends of Oregon, said. #orleg #orpol

www.portlandmercury.com/news/2025/05...
Advocates, Transit Agencies Say Oregon Legislators' Transportation Package Proposal Falls Short
Hilda Perez lives with her family in Forest Grove, where she relies on the bus to get around. While Perez said “public transportation has been a lifeline,” it’s not always easy or safe for her to use....
www.portlandmercury.com
May 21, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
New research provides conclusive proof that 20mph in London is saving lives 🚶🚲🚌🚗

14 yrs of analysis at 150+ sites - reviewed by experts - shows:
❤️40% fewer deaths (vs 7% drop on roads where no changes were made)
❤️75% fewer children killed & 50% fewer kids hurt.
May 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM
FTA’s $1.1 bn No-Low Emission Grant Program will no longer evaluate projects according to whether they reduce emissions.

Congress writes laws and appropriates funds, Executive branch ignores them.

aptapassengertransport.com/fta-announce...
FTA Announces $1.5 Billion to Expand Bus Manufacturing - Passenger Transport
FTA has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) of approximately $1.5. billion to support state and local efforts to buy buses, build bus facilities, and support workforce development through...
aptapassengertransport.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:45 PM
New FTA Master Agreement prohibits “illegal DEI” programs and requires cooperation with ICE and the enforcement of ANY federal law.

This is federal overreach plain and simple. www.transit.dot.gov/funding/gran...

1/2
www.transit.dot.gov
May 1, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
Outstanding. Note also Murphy's use of the word "regime" instead of "administration."
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on Mahmoud Khalil.
March 12, 2025 at 1:50 AM
For one of my first jobs, I commuted from SF to downtown Oakland by BART. Staff who drove got free parking in a gated parking lot. I asked if my BART fare could be subsidized since I didn’t drive.

No, was the answer.

Took me a long time to figure out all the layers of dumb in that policy.
January 11, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
Great story and perfect example of what all states have the power to do, regardless of what discretionary programs get cut in the upcoming Congress. And FWIW, Yonah did much of the research on how much state DOT's have to flex in this report earlier this year. www.nrdc.org/sites/defaul...
www.nrdc.org
November 22, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Excited by a mayor who values bike, ped, and transit. Lord knows we need electeds who focus on the details. I love taking high speed rail as much as the next person, but don’t understand how the politics or funding come together. bikeportland.org/2024/11/07/p...
Portland's new mayor Keith Wilson is steeped in transportation
Wilson has arguably the strongest transportation background of any mayor in Portland history
bikeportland.org
November 18, 2024 at 7:19 AM
Flower
November 16, 2024 at 10:56 PM