Dave Cooke
@ucsdave.bsky.social
Using my white male privilege to rabble rouse companies and govt agencies into doing more. Midwest-grown, California-schooled, Senator-less citizen of the Douglass Commonwealth.
This is a personal acct, but I'll still be mad about transportation issues.
This is a personal acct, but I'll still be mad about transportation issues.
Reposted by Dave Cooke
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51st.news
December 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
🎁 This holiday season, give the gift of connection. Share The 51st with someone who cares about D.C. — invite them to subscribe or gift them a membership. Together we’ll grow a community that keeps local journalism alive. 51st.news/gift-subscri...
Reposted by Dave Cooke
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
Reposted by Dave Cooke
The Trump admin intends to dismantle the National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), one of the US' leading weather and climate research institutions.
We must urge Congress to halt this dangerous action immediately.
🔗Take action: act.ucsusa.org/4oWtCwz
We must urge Congress to halt this dangerous action immediately.
🔗Take action: act.ucsusa.org/4oWtCwz
December 17, 2025 at 8:54 PM
The Trump admin intends to dismantle the National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), one of the US' leading weather and climate research institutions.
We must urge Congress to halt this dangerous action immediately.
🔗Take action: act.ucsusa.org/4oWtCwz
We must urge Congress to halt this dangerous action immediately.
🔗Take action: act.ucsusa.org/4oWtCwz
Absolutely LOVE to see the f'ing Automotive News blame automakers for policy whiplash. Never woulda believed it, but it's a spot-on criticism. Auto companies have asked for uncertainty because they will always choose less regulation over stability. www.autonews.com/opinion/colu...
Column: Feeling policy whiplash? Blame automakers
Automakers are calling for the dismantling of policies they used to support.
www.autonews.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Absolutely LOVE to see the f'ing Automotive News blame automakers for policy whiplash. Never woulda believed it, but it's a spot-on criticism. Auto companies have asked for uncertainty because they will always choose less regulation over stability. www.autonews.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Dave Cooke
We’re not running out of good ideas, but the tech fetishists who have no ideas other than “but I put a lot of money and emotion into this basket” always do, and their narcissism does not allow them to consider that their failed ideas suck, and the flop sweat is palpable.
December 16, 2025 at 2:49 AM
We’re not running out of good ideas, but the tech fetishists who have no ideas other than “but I put a lot of money and emotion into this basket” always do, and their narcissism does not allow them to consider that their failed ideas suck, and the flop sweat is palpable.
Great to see this @reuters.com article on how polluting the railroad industry is. Too often I hear people talk about rail as "efficient" because they ignore all the f'ing pollution. And the dirtiest locos are the ones in the railyards, which are in communities! www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
How the US freight rail industry got dirtier than coal power plants
U.S. freight railroads are a major source of pollution, chuffing out more nitrogen oxide than all the nation’s coal-fired power plants combined, according to a Reuters calculation.
www.reuters.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Great to see this @reuters.com article on how polluting the railroad industry is. Too often I hear people talk about rail as "efficient" because they ignore all the f'ing pollution. And the dirtiest locos are the ones in the railyards, which are in communities! www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Reposted by Dave Cooke
Thank you to @vanhollen.senate.gov and @fetterman.senate.gov for reintroducing the Moving Transit Forward Act 🚌🚇, which would create a much needed federal program to fund increased transit service across the country. www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-r...
December 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Thank you to @vanhollen.senate.gov and @fetterman.senate.gov for reintroducing the Moving Transit Forward Act 🚌🚇, which would create a much needed federal program to fund increased transit service across the country. www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-r...
Reposted by Dave Cooke
This makes facially neutral policies--like poll taxes and literacy tests--that we know were adopted for discriminatory purposes legal. Organizations can now simply claim there was no discriminatory intent regardless of outcome. It's unconstrained institutionalized racism.
They're just taking an ax to the Civil Rights Act
Department of Justice Rule Restores Equal Protection for All in Civil Rights Enforcement
Today, the Justice Department issued a final rule updating its regulations under Title VI of the Civil Rights of 1964. This rule ensures that our nation’s federal civil rights laws are firmly grounded...
www.justice.gov
December 9, 2025 at 4:45 PM
This makes facially neutral policies--like poll taxes and literacy tests--that we know were adopted for discriminatory purposes legal. Organizations can now simply claim there was no discriminatory intent regardless of outcome. It's unconstrained institutionalized racism.
Reposted by Dave Cooke
Important, exciting research — air pollution dropped 22% in NYC's congestion relief zone within the first 6 months of #CongestionPricing (with reductions in the surrounding neighborhoods, too)
Cleaner air, better transit, great data — all thanks to #CongestionPricing!
Cleaner air, better transit, great data — all thanks to #CongestionPricing!
December 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Important, exciting research — air pollution dropped 22% in NYC's congestion relief zone within the first 6 months of #CongestionPricing (with reductions in the surrounding neighborhoods, too)
Cleaner air, better transit, great data — all thanks to #CongestionPricing!
Cleaner air, better transit, great data — all thanks to #CongestionPricing!
Reposted by Dave Cooke
Hello, world! We are DC's cargo bike lending library, a
@waba.org project inspired by @mplscargobikelibrary.com
and @communitypedalpower.org
Borrow a cargo bike - free! #bikedc
More information coming soon....
@waba.org project inspired by @mplscargobikelibrary.com
and @communitypedalpower.org
Borrow a cargo bike - free! #bikedc
More information coming soon....
December 5, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Hello, world! We are DC's cargo bike lending library, a
@waba.org project inspired by @mplscargobikelibrary.com
and @communitypedalpower.org
Borrow a cargo bike - free! #bikedc
More information coming soon....
@waba.org project inspired by @mplscargobikelibrary.com
and @communitypedalpower.org
Borrow a cargo bike - free! #bikedc
More information coming soon....
Reposted by Dave Cooke
Way to stand up to... *checks notes* 61-year-old recreational players. Good work, USTA. 🙃
December 4, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Way to stand up to... *checks notes* 61-year-old recreational players. Good work, USTA. 🙃
Reposted by Dave Cooke
Guys, whatever made Detroit's vehicles so expensive, it wasn't their strenuous efforts in fuel economy
@opinion.bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
@opinion.bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
December 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Guys, whatever made Detroit's vehicles so expensive, it wasn't their strenuous efforts in fuel economy
@opinion.bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
@opinion.bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
This is so dumb: I can't believe we're fighting this same stupid fight again just because automakers and oil companies like to f the American people. www.ucs.org/about/news/t...
December 3, 2025 at 9:55 PM
This is so dumb: I can't believe we're fighting this same stupid fight again just because automakers and oil companies like to f the American people. www.ucs.org/about/news/t...
Just how bad is the Trump administration's fuel economy proposal? IT VIOLATES THE 2020 requirement from the Energy Independency and Security Act. Good luck explaining how a maximum feasible standard falls below what Congress required more than a decade prior!
December 3, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Just how bad is the Trump administration's fuel economy proposal? IT VIOLATES THE 2020 requirement from the Energy Independency and Security Act. Good luck explaining how a maximum feasible standard falls below what Congress required more than a decade prior!
Y'know who didn't fuck their subjects for clicks and still believes that journalists should maintain writing standards and ethical boundaries? @51st.news. Support local media! 51st.news/membership/?...
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51st.news
November 27, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Y'know who didn't fuck their subjects for clicks and still believes that journalists should maintain writing standards and ethical boundaries? @51st.news. Support local media! 51st.news/membership/?...
Reposted by Dave Cooke
Highway expansion is an out of control drug addiction.
I’ll never not be shocked by what the DOT did to my hometown.
(Baseball stadium for scale)
(Baseball stadium for scale)
November 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Highway expansion is an out of control drug addiction.
This is indefensible bullshit. The administration right now is just acknowledging they don't believe in the laws of Congress nor the rights of the American people to breathe clean air. Absolutely bonkers response to the Clean Air Act.
They are killing Americans. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:13 PM
This is indefensible bullshit. The administration right now is just acknowledging they don't believe in the laws of Congress nor the rights of the American people to breathe clean air. Absolutely bonkers response to the Clean Air Act.
Finally got around to reading this @washingtonpost.com article on pedestrian safety and was pleasantly surprised at how well they highlighted key issues, including lack of political will at all levels to reckon w/road design. But JFC I was not prepared for some of the crash details. wapo.st/4ojmnia
The deadliest roads in America
The number of pedestrians killed by vehicles has increased in the U.S., with road infrastructure and inadequate safety measures among key contributing factors.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Finally got around to reading this @washingtonpost.com article on pedestrian safety and was pleasantly surprised at how well they highlighted key issues, including lack of political will at all levels to reckon w/road design. But JFC I was not prepared for some of the crash details. wapo.st/4ojmnia
Reposted by Dave Cooke
Today: Join me, @lewan.bsky.social, and @ucs.org colleagues to discuss how the scientific community can push back against the growing authoritarian threat and stand up for our democracy.
secure.ucs.org/a/2025-11-20...
secure.ucs.org/a/2025-11-20...
How Scientists Can Stand Up for Democracy
The Union of Concerned Scientists invites you to a virtual science advocacy training on how the scientific community can push back against the growing authoritarian threat and stand up for our democra...
secure.ucs.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Today: Join me, @lewan.bsky.social, and @ucs.org colleagues to discuss how the scientific community can push back against the growing authoritarian threat and stand up for our democracy.
secure.ucs.org/a/2025-11-20...
secure.ucs.org/a/2025-11-20...
Reposted by Dave Cooke
The two bills the House passed last night serve only to criminalize poverty and erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
The Senate must vote these bills down and reject this blatant attack on DC’s local autonomy.
Congress has no right to drag us backward.
The Senate must vote these bills down and reject this blatant attack on DC’s local autonomy.
Congress has no right to drag us backward.
November 20, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The two bills the House passed last night serve only to criminalize poverty and erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
The Senate must vote these bills down and reject this blatant attack on DC’s local autonomy.
Congress has no right to drag us backward.
The Senate must vote these bills down and reject this blatant attack on DC’s local autonomy.
Congress has no right to drag us backward.
The realization that technology is insufficient was THE motivating factor for me 15 years ago to apply my technical skills to policy, and I've never looked back. Change is not about technology -- it is about power.
⚠️ When “technology will save us” becomes a climate risk!
A new paper from great colleagues takes a careful look at techno-optimism — the belief that technology will largely solve climate change — and what it means for real-world climate action.
(1/4)👇
osf.io/preprints/ps...
A new paper from great colleagues takes a careful look at techno-optimism — the belief that technology will largely solve climate change — and what it means for real-world climate action.
(1/4)👇
osf.io/preprints/ps...
November 19, 2025 at 10:45 PM
The realization that technology is insufficient was THE motivating factor for me 15 years ago to apply my technical skills to policy, and I've never looked back. Change is not about technology -- it is about power.
Gee, the automotive industry simply designing to the test rather than broadly protecting public welfare? That's never happened before.
"automakers are getting better at passing the standards, and they're doing a great job of testing to those standards ... [but] you go outside of those standards, and the performance is less effective"
While tech improved, this type of private testing is no substitute for NHTSA doing its job
While tech improved, this type of private testing is no substitute for NHTSA doing its job
November 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Gee, the automotive industry simply designing to the test rather than broadly protecting public welfare? That's never happened before.
Reposted by Dave Cooke
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
Reposted by Dave Cooke
⛽📉Over the last half a century, drivers have saved $5 Trillion at the pump thanks to the Corporate Fuel Average Economy program. But this program is in danger. If you don’t want the Trump Administration to weaken these rules or give another handout to oil companies and automakers.
November 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
⛽📉Over the last half a century, drivers have saved $5 Trillion at the pump thanks to the Corporate Fuel Average Economy program. But this program is in danger. If you don’t want the Trump Administration to weaken these rules or give another handout to oil companies and automakers.
Our transportation system puts mobility access on the backs of households through exorbitant private costs that flow to automotive industries to the tune of $1 trillion per year. This type of financial disaster is a virtual inevitability in what the US has designed. www.ucs.org/resources/fr...
November 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Our transportation system puts mobility access on the backs of households through exorbitant private costs that flow to automotive industries to the tune of $1 trillion per year. This type of financial disaster is a virtual inevitability in what the US has designed. www.ucs.org/resources/fr...