Warren Wells, AICP
@warrenjwells.bsky.social
Policy & Planning Dir. @marinbike.org • UCLA Urban Planning • AICP Planner • Baltimore ➡️ LA ➡️ East Bay • 🚫🚗Car-free commuting since 2015 • Missing middle renter.
📍Berkeley, CA
📍Berkeley, CA
Pinned
We've spent a ton of time talking about teens getting injured on e-bikes (or illegal e-motos).
We've heard that crash rates are skyrocketing. Marin County Dept of Health even set up a dashboard to see how many e-bike/e-moto crashes are happening.
But how many kids are getting hurt *in cars*?
🧵
We've heard that crash rates are skyrocketing. Marin County Dept of Health even set up a dashboard to see how many e-bike/e-moto crashes are happening.
But how many kids are getting hurt *in cars*?
🧵
US 202 in Bucks County PA is a state highway completed in 2012 and has a 8.3-mile shared use path running along the whole way.
If the enlightened engineer behind this project had designed our national highway system, we would live in a utopia.
If the enlightened engineer behind this project had designed our national highway system, we would live in a utopia.
January 6, 2026 at 12:29 AM
US 202 in Bucks County PA is a state highway completed in 2012 and has a 8.3-mile shared use path running along the whole way.
If the enlightened engineer behind this project had designed our national highway system, we would live in a utopia.
If the enlightened engineer behind this project had designed our national highway system, we would live in a utopia.
Reposted by Warren Wells, AICP
One of my biggest takeaways from living in Tokyo was that the city is incredible in spite of the fact that 95% of the architecture is unremarkable.
It makes the years-long design review process for a single apartment building in the U.S. seem all the more frivolous.
It makes the years-long design review process for a single apartment building in the U.S. seem all the more frivolous.
Tokyo is a city that makes the argument that architecture is irrelevant.
What matters more is urbanism:
The street network
The density
The freedom of uses
The clustering around rail
What matters more is urbanism:
The street network
The density
The freedom of uses
The clustering around rail
January 5, 2026 at 9:46 PM
One of my biggest takeaways from living in Tokyo was that the city is incredible in spite of the fact that 95% of the architecture is unremarkable.
It makes the years-long design review process for a single apartment building in the U.S. seem all the more frivolous.
It makes the years-long design review process for a single apartment building in the U.S. seem all the more frivolous.
"A math nerd lives here"
January 5, 2026 at 9:30 PM
"A math nerd lives here"
land value tax
Land Value Tax
LAND VALUE TAX
Land Value Tax
LAND VALUE TAX
"Most homeowners would see a minor dip in their property tax bill, particularly in poorer areas with lower land values"
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
'Everybody works but the empty lot': Some Spokane leaders eye property tax reform to promote building
As Spokane city leaders look for new ways to boost development, some are leading the charge for a reform to the property tax system which would shift some of the tax burden off of homes and high rises...
www.spokesman.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:41 PM
land value tax
Land Value Tax
LAND VALUE TAX
Land Value Tax
LAND VALUE TAX
Reposted by Warren Wells, AICP
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 AM
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
Reposted by Warren Wells, AICP
Discourse is very annoying right now because American oil companies don't actually want to deal with Venezuela, but the entire endeavor was obviously pitched to Trump as a colonial resource extraction play, so it IS a war for oil even if that doesn't make sense! Cults of personality aren't rational.
January 4, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Discourse is very annoying right now because American oil companies don't actually want to deal with Venezuela, but the entire endeavor was obviously pitched to Trump as a colonial resource extraction play, so it IS a war for oil even if that doesn't make sense! Cults of personality aren't rational.
Is it me, or does having a 4-digit lockbox outside your house seem too vulnerable to brute force attacks?
January 3, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Is it me, or does having a 4-digit lockbox outside your house seem too vulnerable to brute force attacks?
For context, this is the Lucky Dr pedestrian overcrossing in Larkspur, looking south.
King tide flooding on 101 in Larkspur, Greenbrae, Corte madera
January 3, 2026 at 9:28 PM
For context, this is the Lucky Dr pedestrian overcrossing in Larkspur, looking south.
Reposted by Warren Wells, AICP
A 1965 report predicting BART ridership at Berkeley's stations. The estimates are way high, primarily because they assumed population densification and a seamless transfer from AC Transit to BART.
North Berkeley: 8,700 predicted (4100 actual)
Ashby: 16,400 (5,165)
Downtown Berk: 24,000 (11,000)
North Berkeley: 8,700 predicted (4100 actual)
Ashby: 16,400 (5,165)
Downtown Berk: 24,000 (11,000)
January 2, 2026 at 3:34 PM
A 1965 report predicting BART ridership at Berkeley's stations. The estimates are way high, primarily because they assumed population densification and a seamless transfer from AC Transit to BART.
North Berkeley: 8,700 predicted (4100 actual)
Ashby: 16,400 (5,165)
Downtown Berk: 24,000 (11,000)
North Berkeley: 8,700 predicted (4100 actual)
Ashby: 16,400 (5,165)
Downtown Berk: 24,000 (11,000)
Well this seems to be getting more and more true every day.
More evidence that the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics are in serious jeopardy.
January 3, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Well this seems to be getting more and more true every day.
Reposted by Warren Wells, AICP
Simple as
Everyone in DoD who participated in planning and executing this needs to face charges
Yes I know the scope/scale of what I'm saying; either laws mean things or they don't
Everyone in DoD who participated in planning and executing this needs to face charges
Yes I know the scope/scale of what I'm saying; either laws mean things or they don't
Disgusting violation of basic sovereignty and I hope everyone who hedges even one bit on this has their careers ruined in the end
January 3, 2026 at 6:54 AM
Simple as
Everyone in DoD who participated in planning and executing this needs to face charges
Yes I know the scope/scale of what I'm saying; either laws mean things or they don't
Everyone in DoD who participated in planning and executing this needs to face charges
Yes I know the scope/scale of what I'm saying; either laws mean things or they don't
Reposted by Warren Wells, AICP
The world must boycott the World Cup and the Olympics.
It is both the only moral choice and will actually get the attention of these dead-eyed clout demons.
It is both the only moral choice and will actually get the attention of these dead-eyed clout demons.
January 3, 2026 at 7:22 AM
The world must boycott the World Cup and the Olympics.
It is both the only moral choice and will actually get the attention of these dead-eyed clout demons.
It is both the only moral choice and will actually get the attention of these dead-eyed clout demons.
Someone take photos of the Mill Valley-Sausalito Path for me.
Tomorrow morning Jan 3, the Sun and Moon align to pull the Earth's seas toward SF, with tides peaking over +7' around 10:30 am. We're fortunate there's little rain expected then. If you have luxury of time, visit the bayshore to see our near-future baseline
Tomorrow’s high tide will be the highest tide since 1998. 🌕
January 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Someone take photos of the Mill Valley-Sausalito Path for me.
While ~ isFixed(Me) {
thisNextBikeWillFixMe();
}
thisNextBikeWillFixMe();
}
January 2, 2026 at 6:37 PM
While ~ isFixed(Me) {
thisNextBikeWillFixMe();
}
thisNextBikeWillFixMe();
}
Reposted by Warren Wells, AICP
I was wondering what Mamdani's first executive order would be, and I'm not disappointed by this.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
January 1, 2026 at 11:07 PM
I was wondering what Mamdani's first executive order would be, and I'm not disappointed by this.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
Happy new year!
January 1, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Happy new year!
Americans do not have a "love affair" with cars, the term typically used in the media.
Rather we are in an abusive relationship, wanting to leave but fearing the consequences.
Rather we are in an abusive relationship, wanting to leave but fearing the consequences.
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Is Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance it would be happy to do without? Obviousl...
humantransit.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Americans do not have a "love affair" with cars, the term typically used in the media.
Rather we are in an abusive relationship, wanting to leave but fearing the consequences.
Rather we are in an abusive relationship, wanting to leave but fearing the consequences.
Reposted by Warren Wells, AICP
I don't like this type of curb ramp design either. But why do we end up with ones that look like this? Some aspects of curb ramp design:
Yes, the city needs to actually repave streets. Yes, the city needs to repair sidewalks. Yes, the city needs to install curb ramps.
But the bigger problem is that when LA decides to do anything at all to "help" pedestrians, the result looks like this complete and utter bullshit
But the bigger problem is that when LA decides to do anything at all to "help" pedestrians, the result looks like this complete and utter bullshit
December 30, 2025 at 8:12 AM
I don't like this type of curb ramp design either. But why do we end up with ones that look like this? Some aspects of curb ramp design:
Strider bike cx racing
December 30, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Strider bike cx racing
Anyone have a bar tape they swear by?
December 29, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Anyone have a bar tape they swear by?
Cyclist PSA:
Always look both ways *even when you have a green light.*
I just came feet from being T-boned by a Berkeley septuagenarian who cruised through a red signal, seemingly without noticing her error, (or me for that matter).
Always look both ways *even when you have a green light.*
I just came feet from being T-boned by a Berkeley septuagenarian who cruised through a red signal, seemingly without noticing her error, (or me for that matter).
December 29, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Cyclist PSA:
Always look both ways *even when you have a green light.*
I just came feet from being T-boned by a Berkeley septuagenarian who cruised through a red signal, seemingly without noticing her error, (or me for that matter).
Always look both ways *even when you have a green light.*
I just came feet from being T-boned by a Berkeley septuagenarian who cruised through a red signal, seemingly without noticing her error, (or me for that matter).
All the love and respect to my poly friends and followers, but I want a second partner about as much as I want a third and fourth cat.
December 29, 2025 at 9:19 PM
All the love and respect to my poly friends and followers, but I want a second partner about as much as I want a third and fourth cat.
"Are you on a bike tour?"
No man, I'm just a Bike Person running errands.
No man, I'm just a Bike Person running errands.
December 29, 2025 at 9:18 PM
"Are you on a bike tour?"
No man, I'm just a Bike Person running errands.
No man, I'm just a Bike Person running errands.
SkyNut
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
SkyNut
Long Beach was one of 6 cities that was included in a state bill to allow a speed camera pilot program.
Despite cameras now being operational in San Francisco, Long Beach has yet to make any meaningful progress towards the rollout of actual cameras.
Despite cameras now being operational in San Francisco, Long Beach has yet to make any meaningful progress towards the rollout of actual cameras.
Until this year, the highest annual number of traffic fatalities in Long Beach since 1990 was 49. That was in 2020. We just hit 58 this year.
Police are investigating the death of a woman who was hit by a car in Wrigley Saturday night.
Read more from @apignataro.bsky.social on the Watchdog. lbwatchdog.com/pedestrian-k...
Read more from @apignataro.bsky.social on the Watchdog. lbwatchdog.com/pedestrian-k...
December 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Long Beach was one of 6 cities that was included in a state bill to allow a speed camera pilot program.
Despite cameras now being operational in San Francisco, Long Beach has yet to make any meaningful progress towards the rollout of actual cameras.
Despite cameras now being operational in San Francisco, Long Beach has yet to make any meaningful progress towards the rollout of actual cameras.