Yakima Urbanist
@yakimaurbanist.bsky.social
Living in the #PNW. Enthusiastic about #Urbanism topics like #Housing #PassengerRail #Transit #Biking and #Walking.
Yakima, WA
Yakima, WA
Pinned
Yakima is a city of about 100,000 in central Washington State.
The community is tragically disengaged. A rare opportunity is here as the Comprehensive Plan is about to be updated.
Urbanist goals face strong headwinds, but we can have something better if people SHOW UP.
The community is tragically disengaged. A rare opportunity is here as the Comprehensive Plan is about to be updated.
Urbanist goals face strong headwinds, but we can have something better if people SHOW UP.
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
E-bikes comprise around two-thirds of vehicles in New York City's protected bike lanes — far more than the Department of Transportation is counting, a new study found.
Report: DOT is Undercounting The E-Bike Boom - Streetsblog New York City
A new study from an MIT grad student shows that e-bikes are the most popular vehicle for those using New York City's bike lanes.
buff.ly
December 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
E-bikes comprise around two-thirds of vehicles in New York City's protected bike lanes — far more than the Department of Transportation is counting, a new study found.
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
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"Over the year, bike and scooter share carried about 60% as many trips as the state’s $2.15 billion SR-99 highway tunnel under downtown Seattle. During summer months, that number may have been more like 80%."
"Over the year, bike and scooter share carried about 60% as many trips as the state’s $2.15 billion SR-99 highway tunnel under downtown Seattle. During summer months, that number may have been more like 80%."
Tuesday: Community Council forum on 'scooter public safety' + It's time to take bike and scooter share seriously
#SEAbikes #Seattle
#SEAbikes #Seattle
Tuesday: Community Council forum on ‘scooter public safety’ + It’s time to take bike and scooter share seriously
Seattle was the first major and lasting launch city for Lime back in July 2017, and the city has continued to be one of the company's strongest markets globally. In the last year (November 2024 through November 2025), Lime and Bird reported an astounding 10.3 million trips in Seattle, according to SDOT's data dashboard (96% of those trips were on Lime).
www.seattlebikeblog.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:06 AM
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"Over the year, bike and scooter share carried about 60% as many trips as the state’s $2.15 billion SR-99 highway tunnel under downtown Seattle. During summer months, that number may have been more like 80%."
"Over the year, bike and scooter share carried about 60% as many trips as the state’s $2.15 billion SR-99 highway tunnel under downtown Seattle. During summer months, that number may have been more like 80%."
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
“Some people here have gotten mad at me for calling it that because apparently it already had a name—Big Ben or something if I’m pronouncing that correct—but that’s just what the natives who have lived here for thousands of years call it."
Man Exploring London Names Clocktower ‘Tahoma’ After Mountain 5,000 Miles Away at Home: tinyurl.com/ms62y9kx
November 28, 2025 at 12:03 AM
“Some people here have gotten mad at me for calling it that because apparently it already had a name—Big Ben or something if I’m pronouncing that correct—but that’s just what the natives who have lived here for thousands of years call it."
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
“We acknowledge today that we are inside the unceded one-bedroom rental of tenants who previously leased this unit until they were evicted when they couldn’t afford the skyrocketing rent.”
Central District Friendsgiving Begins with Lease Acknowledgment of Previous Tenants: tinyurl.com/bbahuzn6
November 27, 2025 at 11:07 PM
“We acknowledge today that we are inside the unceded one-bedroom rental of tenants who previously leased this unit until they were evicted when they couldn’t afford the skyrocketing rent.”
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
This is why I am curious why car ownership doesn't come up in the cost of living affordability conversations.
It's not just housing and groceries! 😬
My theory is that the background economic misery is driven by car dependency, and subconscious knowledge it's a dangerous scam.
It's not just housing and groceries! 😬
My theory is that the background economic misery is driven by car dependency, and subconscious knowledge it's a dangerous scam.
November 27, 2025 at 9:14 PM
This is why I am curious why car ownership doesn't come up in the cost of living affordability conversations.
It's not just housing and groceries! 😬
My theory is that the background economic misery is driven by car dependency, and subconscious knowledge it's a dangerous scam.
It's not just housing and groceries! 😬
My theory is that the background economic misery is driven by car dependency, and subconscious knowledge it's a dangerous scam.
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
A low-hanging fruit for @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social and the new City Council in their first 100 days would be to approve legislation making outdoor dining year round and have it go into effect immediately. Given all the existing design regulations it should be easy to flip the switch on this.
Thousands of outdoor dining areas might not return to the city's roadways next spring, the result of what activists call a costly approval process created by the Adams administration when the program became seasonal.
Outdoor Dining Has Faded Out — And Not Just Because It's Winter - Streetsblog New York City
From thousands of pandemic-era eateries to perhaps just a few hundred, thanks to a seasonal, not year-round, program.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A low-hanging fruit for @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social and the new City Council in their first 100 days would be to approve legislation making outdoor dining year round and have it go into effect immediately. Given all the existing design regulations it should be easy to flip the switch on this.
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
When I saw Seattle treasure Nathan Vass was reading tonight at Folio, one of my favorite literary venues, I knew I had to be there. If you don't have Nathan's book yet...get on it!
November 23, 2025 at 4:52 AM
When I saw Seattle treasure Nathan Vass was reading tonight at Folio, one of my favorite literary venues, I knew I had to be there. If you don't have Nathan's book yet...get on it!
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
Follow local urbanist celebrity Ray Delahanty for 20 minutes rolling around downtown PDX w B-Line cargo bike delivery, past farmers markets, downtown protected bike lanes and a city on fire (not).
Plus 🍂🍁 filled bike lanes & the abomination of a local #ICE headquarters.
@nerd4cities.bsky.social
Plus 🍂🍁 filled bike lanes & the abomination of a local #ICE headquarters.
@nerd4cities.bsky.social
Why Are They Making Up Nonsense About Our Cities?
YouTube video by Ray Delahanty | CityNerd
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Follow local urbanist celebrity Ray Delahanty for 20 minutes rolling around downtown PDX w B-Line cargo bike delivery, past farmers markets, downtown protected bike lanes and a city on fire (not).
Plus 🍂🍁 filled bike lanes & the abomination of a local #ICE headquarters.
@nerd4cities.bsky.social
Plus 🍂🍁 filled bike lanes & the abomination of a local #ICE headquarters.
@nerd4cities.bsky.social
The policy of subsidizing suburban development has gone on so long that it's fully entrenched with most in power. My local gov is almost entirely made up of GenX/Boomer suburban homeowners who struggle to comprehend another way.
It's generational. It'll take at least another generation to dislodge.
It's generational. It'll take at least another generation to dislodge.
I hate to even weigh in on this, but citing the fact that the proportion of people living in suburbs has grown faster than the proportion of people living in core cities as evidence that “people prefer suburban living” is…well, I barely know where to start
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The policy of subsidizing suburban development has gone on so long that it's fully entrenched with most in power. My local gov is almost entirely made up of GenX/Boomer suburban homeowners who struggle to comprehend another way.
It's generational. It'll take at least another generation to dislodge.
It's generational. It'll take at least another generation to dislodge.
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
I hate to even weigh in on this, but citing the fact that the proportion of people living in suburbs has grown faster than the proportion of people living in core cities as evidence that “people prefer suburban living” is…well, I barely know where to start
November 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I hate to even weigh in on this, but citing the fact that the proportion of people living in suburbs has grown faster than the proportion of people living in core cities as evidence that “people prefer suburban living” is…well, I barely know where to start
Yakima's comp plan update survey is posted on the city web site, for those interested!
Not quite "on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard'" a la Douglas Adams, but the outreach could be better.
Not quite "on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard'" a la Douglas Adams, but the outreach could be better.
2026 Comprehensive Plan Update Survey | Planning Division
The City is looking for YOUR input! We want to know what your vision for Yakima is for the next 20 years. To this end, the City Planning Division has created a survey that will inform its update of…
www.yakimawa.gov
November 20, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Yakima's comp plan update survey is posted on the city web site, for those interested!
Not quite "on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard'" a la Douglas Adams, but the outreach could be better.
Not quite "on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard'" a la Douglas Adams, but the outreach could be better.
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
Something beautiful for this day: Honeybee on butterfly weed, Yakima, Washington (August 2024). #bees #wildflowers
November 20, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Something beautiful for this day: Honeybee on butterfly weed, Yakima, Washington (August 2024). #bees #wildflowers
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
Sharing this again just because I love it so much. #justaminute
Car drivers who block cycle lanes for “just a minute” force people on bikes into car traffic. It’s dangerous, it’s selfish, it’s illegal (NZ) and it deserves the mocking it gets in this protest action.
Car drivers who block cycle lanes for “just a minute” force people on bikes into car traffic. It’s dangerous, it’s selfish, it’s illegal (NZ) and it deserves the mocking it gets in this protest action.
Blocked Bike Lane Protest on Valencia St. – San Francisco, CA #justaminute
YouTube video by Stephen Braitsch
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Sharing this again just because I love it so much. #justaminute
Car drivers who block cycle lanes for “just a minute” force people on bikes into car traffic. It’s dangerous, it’s selfish, it’s illegal (NZ) and it deserves the mocking it gets in this protest action.
Car drivers who block cycle lanes for “just a minute” force people on bikes into car traffic. It’s dangerous, it’s selfish, it’s illegal (NZ) and it deserves the mocking it gets in this protest action.
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
Free parking for 2 cars or supporting a beloved local business and community gathering spot?
Whose side are you on @mayorkwilson.bsky.social?
Streets are for people.
Whose side are you on @mayorkwilson.bsky.social?
Streets are for people.
Well, PBOT got what they wanted and the street seating at Taqueria Los Puñales has been removed. But at least we have two extra parking spaces on Belmont.
November 16, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Free parking for 2 cars or supporting a beloved local business and community gathering spot?
Whose side are you on @mayorkwilson.bsky.social?
Streets are for people.
Whose side are you on @mayorkwilson.bsky.social?
Streets are for people.
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
I'm kind of baffled how the "moderates" have apparently all decided to turn against climate policy at once, just as China reaches green electrostate liftoff mode. I thought these people were all about National Greatness and making Hard Choices
November 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I'm kind of baffled how the "moderates" have apparently all decided to turn against climate policy at once, just as China reaches green electrostate liftoff mode. I thought these people were all about National Greatness and making Hard Choices
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
my most woke opinion is that any truck/SUV over 4,000 pounds should require a commercial drivers license, increased insurance/registration, more expensive parking, and higher punishments for traffic violations
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
my most woke opinion is that any truck/SUV over 4,000 pounds should require a commercial drivers license, increased insurance/registration, more expensive parking, and higher punishments for traffic violations
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
November 14, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
seen at Pine & 12th
November 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
seen at Pine & 12th
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
My grocery store charges for paper bags, but car parking is "free" (aka priced in to everything on the shelves).
November 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
My grocery store charges for paper bags, but car parking is "free" (aka priced in to everything on the shelves).
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
And how much Transportation is hidden in the other categories? What portion of Housing costs is the garage under your apartment building? What portion of Food is the sea of parking surrounding the supermarket? What portion of Healthcare is car-related injury and respiratory disease?
Transportation costs are the second largest burden on American family budgets (17%), after housing (33%)!
To address the affordability crisis, we must create cities with abundant housing of all types (subsidized, social, coop, market rate) and make walking, biking, and taking transit convenient.
To address the affordability crisis, we must create cities with abundant housing of all types (subsidized, social, coop, market rate) and make walking, biking, and taking transit convenient.
November 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
And how much Transportation is hidden in the other categories? What portion of Housing costs is the garage under your apartment building? What portion of Food is the sea of parking surrounding the supermarket? What portion of Healthcare is car-related injury and respiratory disease?
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
My most woke opinion is that cities should completely ignore suburban commuters and design the city we aspire to be. They’ll either begrudgingly commute in by car, mode shift, or be replaced by others in foot traffic
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
My most woke opinion is that cities should completely ignore suburban commuters and design the city we aspire to be. They’ll either begrudgingly commute in by car, mode shift, or be replaced by others in foot traffic
Yakima Planning Commission member Shelley White spent several weeks this year going before her own commission and the city council to spout this racist rhetoric on the public record.
you could fact check this — there aren’t 30 million illegal immigrants and there is no evidence that the presence of an immigrant in say houston has any impact on housing in madison, wisconsin — or you could note straightforwardly that this is just nazi rhetoric
JD Vance: "A lot of young people are saying housing is way too expensive. Why is that? Because we flooded the country with 30 million illegal immigrants who were taking houses that ought by right go to American citizens."
November 14, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Yakima Planning Commission member Shelley White spent several weeks this year going before her own commission and the city council to spout this racist rhetoric on the public record.
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
Beautiful fall day mushroom hunting around Mt. Rainier! #StratovolcanoSunday
November 3, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Beautiful fall day mushroom hunting around Mt. Rainier! #StratovolcanoSunday
Leading pedestrian intervals at intersections is one of the more basic safety improvements out there, but they’re not common in Yakima so this is kind of big for us!
More of these, please!
More of these, please!
City of Yakima completes federally funded pedestrian safety project
The project involved installing new signal controllers and conflict monitors, allowing signal timing adjustments called “leading pedestrian intervals.”
www.yakimaherald.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Leading pedestrian intervals at intersections is one of the more basic safety improvements out there, but they’re not common in Yakima so this is kind of big for us!
More of these, please!
More of these, please!
Reposted by Yakima Urbanist
I mean, just look at this insane map!
Caltrans is literally referring to a 7.5 mile paving project (50 acres of pavement!) as if the whole thing is the I-280 Pedestrian Overcrossing project.
Come on, man!
Caltrans is literally referring to a 7.5 mile paving project (50 acres of pavement!) as if the whole thing is the I-280 Pedestrian Overcrossing project.
Come on, man!
October 28, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I mean, just look at this insane map!
Caltrans is literally referring to a 7.5 mile paving project (50 acres of pavement!) as if the whole thing is the I-280 Pedestrian Overcrossing project.
Come on, man!
Caltrans is literally referring to a 7.5 mile paving project (50 acres of pavement!) as if the whole thing is the I-280 Pedestrian Overcrossing project.
Come on, man!