Pete
@paradiggity.bsky.social
European, Urbanist, flaneur, currently in the "European capital".
Reposted by Pete
This is a small snow plow for sidewalks
If your city plows the roads but leaves sidewalks up to property owners, your city hates pedestrians.
If your city plows the roads but leaves sidewalks up to property owners, your city hates pedestrians.
November 11, 2025 at 7:44 PM
This is a small snow plow for sidewalks
If your city plows the roads but leaves sidewalks up to property owners, your city hates pedestrians.
If your city plows the roads but leaves sidewalks up to property owners, your city hates pedestrians.
Reposted by Pete
The bumper says 'rugged working man'.
But the cargo bed says ‘cosplay builder with soft hands’.
Time to ban these fragile-man-mobiles from our cities.
But the cargo bed says ‘cosplay builder with soft hands’.
Time to ban these fragile-man-mobiles from our cities.
November 9, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The bumper says 'rugged working man'.
But the cargo bed says ‘cosplay builder with soft hands’.
Time to ban these fragile-man-mobiles from our cities.
But the cargo bed says ‘cosplay builder with soft hands’.
Time to ban these fragile-man-mobiles from our cities.
Reposted by Pete
This is a good article, worth reading.
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-smoking playbook is worth studying and learning from, and is completely applicable to oversized cars.
Via @davidzipper.bsky.social in @vox.com #CarBloat
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-smoking playbook is worth studying and learning from, and is completely applicable to oversized cars.
Via @davidzipper.bsky.social in @vox.com #CarBloat
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-tobacco playbook could help turn the US public against their beloved oversized cars.
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:48 PM
This is a good article, worth reading.
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-smoking playbook is worth studying and learning from, and is completely applicable to oversized cars.
Via @davidzipper.bsky.social in @vox.com #CarBloat
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-smoking playbook is worth studying and learning from, and is completely applicable to oversized cars.
Via @davidzipper.bsky.social in @vox.com #CarBloat
Reposted by Pete
"Not TV or illegal drugs but the automobile has been the chief destroyer of...communities." ― Jane Jacobs
November 7, 2025 at 11:59 AM
"Not TV or illegal drugs but the automobile has been the chief destroyer of...communities." ― Jane Jacobs
Reposted by Pete
"A distracted pedestrian might cause a minor inconvenience. A distracted driver, enabled by street design that encourages high speeds, can end a life. To treat these as equivalent is to ignore the fundamental physics of power and force." -Lanrick Bennett
An Open Letter to NPR: Our Streets Are No Accident
In a world where we are constantly seeking self-improvement, National Public Radio’s Life Kit positions itself as a friendly guide…
buff.ly
November 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
"A distracted pedestrian might cause a minor inconvenience. A distracted driver, enabled by street design that encourages high speeds, can end a life. To treat these as equivalent is to ignore the fundamental physics of power and force." -Lanrick Bennett
Reposted by Pete
1. In the wake on Mamdani’s win, we’ll see a lot more far right anti-urban sentiment. Here’s a thread on its roots and evolution.
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 7:58 AM
1. In the wake on Mamdani’s win, we’ll see a lot more far right anti-urban sentiment. Here’s a thread on its roots and evolution.
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
Reposted by Pete
See you soon Vancouver.
Looking forward to seeing these billboards (at least one) in person. 🔥🔥
Looking forward to seeing these billboards (at least one) in person. 🔥🔥
November 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
See you soon Vancouver.
Looking forward to seeing these billboards (at least one) in person. 🔥🔥
Looking forward to seeing these billboards (at least one) in person. 🔥🔥
Reposted by Pete
Sidewalks shouldn’t stop for side streets, pass it on
November 5, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Sidewalks shouldn’t stop for side streets, pass it on
Reposted by Pete
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Reposted by Pete
Five Continents House - Antwerp, Belgium 🤔
October 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Five Continents House - Antwerp, Belgium 🤔
Reposted by Pete
There's no such thing as free parking. 😉
People who manage to find a place in the city centre, pay almost €140 for 24 hours.
Amsterdam city centre most expensive place to park - DutchNews.nl
Amsterdam is the most expensive Dutch city to park your car for 24 hours, an investigation into wildly fluctuating street parking rates has shown. Holiday site Weflycheap looked at the parking rates…
www.dutchnews.nl
October 17, 2025 at 5:23 PM
There's no such thing as free parking. 😉
Reposted by Pete
Cardiff will be the first UK city to introduce a surcharge for oversized SUVs and trucks, "while very large vehicles – those over 3,500kg – will be excluded from residential permits entirely."
Cardiff set to tackle SUV 'carspreading' in UK first
Cardiff Council is set to become the first local authority in the UK to introduce higher parking charges for SUVs and other heavy vehicles, in a move campaigners say will make city streets safer and f...
nation.cymru
October 16, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Cardiff will be the first UK city to introduce a surcharge for oversized SUVs and trucks, "while very large vehicles – those over 3,500kg – will be excluded from residential permits entirely."
Reposted by Pete
With the average new car at $50,000, let's look at the real costs of "freedom":
✅ Decades of debt
✅ Social isolation for every trip
✅ A leading cause of death & injury
Car dependency is a financially and socially crippling system, not a choice.
✅ Decades of debt
✅ Social isolation for every trip
✅ A leading cause of death & injury
Car dependency is a financially and socially crippling system, not a choice.
Prices for new vehicles have risen steadily in the last year as the pace of price increases has sped up in recent months, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book.
Average U.S. New Car Price Surpasses $50,000—An All-Time High Amid Surging EV Sales
Prices for new vehicles have risen steadily in the last year as the pace of price increases has sped up in recent months, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book.
www.forbes.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:53 AM
With the average new car at $50,000, let's look at the real costs of "freedom":
✅ Decades of debt
✅ Social isolation for every trip
✅ A leading cause of death & injury
Car dependency is a financially and socially crippling system, not a choice.
✅ Decades of debt
✅ Social isolation for every trip
✅ A leading cause of death & injury
Car dependency is a financially and socially crippling system, not a choice.
Reposted by Pete
“Once rare, 7-year car loans are fast becoming the norm. They’re often the only way buyers can afford new rides, with average sale prices surging 28% in 5 years to approach $50k.”
Designed-in car dependency, surging car prices, longer loan periods with more interest.
Sound like “freedom” to you?
Designed-in car dependency, surging car prices, longer loan periods with more interest.
Sound like “freedom” to you?
Cars are so expensive that buyers need 7-year loans
Once rare, seven-year car loans are fast becoming the norm. They’re often the only way buyers can afford new rides, with average auto prices nearing $50,000.
www.seattletimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:47 PM
“Once rare, 7-year car loans are fast becoming the norm. They’re often the only way buyers can afford new rides, with average sale prices surging 28% in 5 years to approach $50k.”
Designed-in car dependency, surging car prices, longer loan periods with more interest.
Sound like “freedom” to you?
Designed-in car dependency, surging car prices, longer loan periods with more interest.
Sound like “freedom” to you?
Reposted by Pete
A perfect illustration of which "lifestyle" actually imposes itself on public space, public safety, and the public purse.
October 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
A perfect illustration of which "lifestyle" actually imposes itself on public space, public safety, and the public purse.
Reposted by Pete
Brussels. Rue du Marché aux Poulets in the 1940s. La Casita Spanish tavern is now a kebab house, the Chinese/Japanese goods store is Pizza Pronto. The Celtica Irish pub was a record shop and its little art deco annex was a parfumier. In front of them, the tramline.
September 23, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Brussels. Rue du Marché aux Poulets in the 1940s. La Casita Spanish tavern is now a kebab house, the Chinese/Japanese goods store is Pizza Pronto. The Celtica Irish pub was a record shop and its little art deco annex was a parfumier. In front of them, the tramline.
Reposted by Pete
The vehicular arms race has forced people into paying up in order to survive. It's no longer about quality or luxury, it's about being the family that's heavier, larger, and less likely to die in the eventual crash.
This is predatory capitalism at its finest.
This is predatory capitalism at its finest.
There's no reason for a vehicle to be this large
September 17, 2025 at 11:31 PM
The vehicular arms race has forced people into paying up in order to survive. It's no longer about quality or luxury, it's about being the family that's heavier, larger, and less likely to die in the eventual crash.
This is predatory capitalism at its finest.
This is predatory capitalism at its finest.
Reposted by Pete
“Helsinki has not recorded a single traffic fatality in the past 12 months, city and police officials confirmed this week.”
City engineer credits lower speed limits and smart design.
I agree. #Helsinki #VisionZero
City engineer credits lower speed limits and smart design.
I agree. #Helsinki #VisionZero
Helsinki goes a full year without a traffic death
A city traffic engineer credits the success to lower speed limits and smarter design.
yle.fi
September 9, 2025 at 7:32 PM
“Helsinki has not recorded a single traffic fatality in the past 12 months, city and police officials confirmed this week.”
City engineer credits lower speed limits and smart design.
I agree. #Helsinki #VisionZero
City engineer credits lower speed limits and smart design.
I agree. #Helsinki #VisionZero
Reposted by Pete
If your downtown still has many wide and fast one-way streets, then your priority is to move cars as fast as possible thru a weak downtown. It’s NOT to create a vibrant downtown, help downtown retailers, keep people safe, support walkability and accessibility, reduce pollution, etc. #TrafficSewers
September 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
If your downtown still has many wide and fast one-way streets, then your priority is to move cars as fast as possible thru a weak downtown. It’s NOT to create a vibrant downtown, help downtown retailers, keep people safe, support walkability and accessibility, reduce pollution, etc. #TrafficSewers
Reposted by Pete
Trigger warning.
“In crashes, SUVs are more likely to strike vital organs in the core of adults’ bodies & heads of children. Hitting pedestrians above their center of gravity means they’re more likely to be knocked forward & down and then be driven over.”
Plus more likely to hit in the 1st place.
“In crashes, SUVs are more likely to strike vital organs in the core of adults’ bodies & heads of children. Hitting pedestrians above their center of gravity means they’re more likely to be knocked forward & down and then be driven over.”
Plus more likely to hit in the 1st place.
September 3, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Trigger warning.
“In crashes, SUVs are more likely to strike vital organs in the core of adults’ bodies & heads of children. Hitting pedestrians above their center of gravity means they’re more likely to be knocked forward & down and then be driven over.”
Plus more likely to hit in the 1st place.
“In crashes, SUVs are more likely to strike vital organs in the core of adults’ bodies & heads of children. Hitting pedestrians above their center of gravity means they’re more likely to be knocked forward & down and then be driven over.”
Plus more likely to hit in the 1st place.
Reposted by Pete
Sorry food workers just know I've been there. I feel for you.
August 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Sorry food workers just know I've been there. I feel for you.
Reposted by Pete
Reposted by Pete
“Many Swedish cities, including #Stockholm, prioritize snow clearance very differently. They now clear walkways & bike paths first, especially those near bus stops & primary schools. Next, they clear local roads, & then, finally, highways.”
usa.streetsblog.org/2018/01/24/w...
usa.streetsblog.org/2018/01/24/w...
Why Sweden Clears Snow-Covered Walkways Before Roads — Streetsblog USA
It's part of "gender-balanced" policy that reflects the fact that women walk more than men.
usa.streetsblog.org
August 24, 2025 at 6:02 AM
“Many Swedish cities, including #Stockholm, prioritize snow clearance very differently. They now clear walkways & bike paths first, especially those near bus stops & primary schools. Next, they clear local roads, & then, finally, highways.”
usa.streetsblog.org/2018/01/24/w...
usa.streetsblog.org/2018/01/24/w...
Reposted by Pete
Slightly diminish a band:
Ned’s Atomic Dustpan.
Ned’s Atomic Dustpan.
Slightly diminish a band: Slightly Problematic Straits
Slightly diminish a band: Half Gingerbread Man Half Biscoff
August 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Slightly diminish a band:
Ned’s Atomic Dustpan.
Ned’s Atomic Dustpan.
Reposted by Pete
“New York becomes the first state to commit to all-electric new buildings. The state finalized rules ensuring most new edifices will install electric heat pumps and stoves instead of gas appliances, lowering costs and improving air quality.”
Good move.
Via @grist.org
Good move.
Via @grist.org
New York becomes first state to commit to all-electric new buildings
The state finalized rules ensuring most new edifices will install electric heat pumps and stoves instead of gas appliances, lowering costs and improving…
www.canarymedia.com
August 4, 2025 at 3:51 PM
“New York becomes the first state to commit to all-electric new buildings. The state finalized rules ensuring most new edifices will install electric heat pumps and stoves instead of gas appliances, lowering costs and improving air quality.”
Good move.
Via @grist.org
Good move.
Via @grist.org