John Ewing
@avimentor.bsky.social
Cancer Survivor, Canophile, Active Transport Cyclist, retired Pilot/Flight Instructor/Pilot Examiner, Life-long Human, born at 314.8 ppm
Pinned
John Ewing
@avimentor.bsky.social
· Oct 20
"Making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century."
Astrid Schomaker
Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Astrid Schomaker
Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity
If Caltrans District 4 is listening, the intersection at University and W. Frontage Road in Berkeley just cries out for a traffic roundabout treatment like one on Gilman at I-80. There didn’t appear to be serious injuries, thankfully.
November 17, 2025 at 12:54 AM
If Caltrans District 4 is listening, the intersection at University and W. Frontage Road in Berkeley just cries out for a traffic roundabout treatment like one on Gilman at I-80. There didn’t appear to be serious injuries, thankfully.
1989.
About to bike home, Sunnyvale to my apt in Palo Alto.
Deadlocked traffic on Central Expy.
Loma Prieta quake knocked out all traffic signals, but I was making great time
Heard a siren.
Fire truck approaching from behind, IN THE BIKE LANE!
I moved over, they passed.
That's how it works.
About to bike home, Sunnyvale to my apt in Palo Alto.
Deadlocked traffic on Central Expy.
Loma Prieta quake knocked out all traffic signals, but I was making great time
Heard a siren.
Fire truck approaching from behind, IN THE BIKE LANE!
I moved over, they passed.
That's how it works.
This is from MD SHA for the Old Georgetown Rd bike lanes.
The problem is that drivers don't/won't move over, with or without bike lanes. Bike lanes can actually *help* with that, if emergency vehicles can access the bike lanes.
bsky.app/profile/actf...
The problem is that drivers don't/won't move over, with or without bike lanes. Bike lanes can actually *help* with that, if emergency vehicles can access the bike lanes.
bsky.app/profile/actf...
8. Information about communications with first responders and any impact of the bike lanes on first responders
[MCFRS doesn't want concrete protection of the bike lanes (vs flex post delineation), cuz then they couldn't drive in the bike lanes when drivers don't move over.😬]
[MCFRS doesn't want concrete protection of the bike lanes (vs flex post delineation), cuz then they couldn't drive in the bike lanes when drivers don't move over.😬]
November 15, 2025 at 3:21 AM
1989.
About to bike home, Sunnyvale to my apt in Palo Alto.
Deadlocked traffic on Central Expy.
Loma Prieta quake knocked out all traffic signals, but I was making great time
Heard a siren.
Fire truck approaching from behind, IN THE BIKE LANE!
I moved over, they passed.
That's how it works.
About to bike home, Sunnyvale to my apt in Palo Alto.
Deadlocked traffic on Central Expy.
Loma Prieta quake knocked out all traffic signals, but I was making great time
Heard a siren.
Fire truck approaching from behind, IN THE BIKE LANE!
I moved over, they passed.
That's how it works.
A new way to diminish transit users has been unlocked!
Nothing says “failed state” like a city choosing to completely remove bus shelters & making the use of public transit even less appealing. No shelter, then what’s next, remove the benches?
This is fine ...
oaklandside.org/2025/11/13/r...
Nothing says “failed state” like a city choosing to completely remove bus shelters & making the use of public transit even less appealing. No shelter, then what’s next, remove the benches?
This is fine ...
oaklandside.org/2025/11/13/r...
Oakland begins removing damaged bus shelters, just as rains arrive
The city finally has a plan to remove unsafe bus shelters. The bad news? Riders will need umbrellas.
oaklandside.org
November 14, 2025 at 10:20 PM
A new way to diminish transit users has been unlocked!
Nothing says “failed state” like a city choosing to completely remove bus shelters & making the use of public transit even less appealing. No shelter, then what’s next, remove the benches?
This is fine ...
oaklandside.org/2025/11/13/r...
Nothing says “failed state” like a city choosing to completely remove bus shelters & making the use of public transit even less appealing. No shelter, then what’s next, remove the benches?
This is fine ...
oaklandside.org/2025/11/13/r...
This video does a very thorough critique of John Forester, his books, his skewed view of bikes, his confabulations, and the damage he did to bike infra in North America.
Cliff Notes: Forester's books suck, his data analysis is flawed, & his pants were likely on fire anytime he spoke about cycling.
Cliff Notes: Forester's books suck, his data analysis is flawed, & his pants were likely on fire anytime he spoke about cycling.
I'm a longtime fan of Not Just Bikes, but his 95(!) minute video on John Forester and Vehicular Cycling is truly his magnum opus.
If you are even remotely interested in the history of bicycling in America, it is worth a watch.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRPd...
If you are even remotely interested in the history of bicycling in America, it is worth a watch.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRPd...
This is Why Cycling is Dangerous in America
YouTube video by Not Just Bikes
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:15 PM
This video does a very thorough critique of John Forester, his books, his skewed view of bikes, his confabulations, and the damage he did to bike infra in North America.
Cliff Notes: Forester's books suck, his data analysis is flawed, & his pants were likely on fire anytime he spoke about cycling.
Cliff Notes: Forester's books suck, his data analysis is flawed, & his pants were likely on fire anytime he spoke about cycling.
Reposted by John Ewing
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
Best explanation I’ve seen of the 4-way stop problem. If you are a cyclist or a driver or … however you roll, please watch.
When a driver has ROW at a 4-way stop w/ a cyclist yielding, waving the cyclist thru only creates confusion & frustration for everyone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JrB...
When a driver has ROW at a 4-way stop w/ a cyclist yielding, waving the cyclist thru only creates confusion & frustration for everyone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JrB...
WHY DO CYCLISTS RUN STOP SIGNS?
YouTube video by Phil Gaimon
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Best explanation I’ve seen of the 4-way stop problem. If you are a cyclist or a driver or … however you roll, please watch.
When a driver has ROW at a 4-way stop w/ a cyclist yielding, waving the cyclist thru only creates confusion & frustration for everyone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JrB...
When a driver has ROW at a 4-way stop w/ a cyclist yielding, waving the cyclist thru only creates confusion & frustration for everyone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JrB...
Just cycled the RSR bridge after the path reopened.
Good: The barrier was placed further South, maybe 10” or so, which made the path noticeably wider. In the 45 minutes I was there, I counted over a dozen cyclists, so plenty of demand.
Not so good: Noticeably more gravel & stones on the path. Why?
Good: The barrier was placed further South, maybe 10” or so, which made the path noticeably wider. In the 45 minutes I was there, I counted over a dozen cyclists, so plenty of demand.
Not so good: Noticeably more gravel & stones on the path. Why?
October 31, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Just cycled the RSR bridge after the path reopened.
Good: The barrier was placed further South, maybe 10” or so, which made the path noticeably wider. In the 45 minutes I was there, I counted over a dozen cyclists, so plenty of demand.
Not so good: Noticeably more gravel & stones on the path. Why?
Good: The barrier was placed further South, maybe 10” or so, which made the path noticeably wider. In the 45 minutes I was there, I counted over a dozen cyclists, so plenty of demand.
Not so good: Noticeably more gravel & stones on the path. Why?
An amazing video of hurricane Melissa, a terrifyingly strong storm. Experts say there needs to be a new Level 6 on the Saffir-Simpson scale to describe it, but let’s just keep arguing about parking, freeway widening, and preserving car dominance.
apnews.com/video/us-air...
apnews.com/video/us-air...
US Air Force provides views from inside Hurricane Melissa
The U.S. Defense Department has released footage of views inside Hurricane Melissa. The military said a U.S.
apnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:56 PM
An amazing video of hurricane Melissa, a terrifyingly strong storm. Experts say there needs to be a new Level 6 on the Saffir-Simpson scale to describe it, but let’s just keep arguing about parking, freeway widening, and preserving car dominance.
apnews.com/video/us-air...
apnews.com/video/us-air...
Reposted by John Ewing
It’s 6am on October 27th, 2025, the first day of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge trail closure and free bike shuttle service.
I’m here for most of the morning handing out rider surveys for @bikeeastbay.bsky.social. You can take it here too: bit.ly/rsrshuttlesurvey
I’m here for most of the morning handing out rider surveys for @bikeeastbay.bsky.social. You can take it here too: bit.ly/rsrshuttlesurvey
October 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
It’s 6am on October 27th, 2025, the first day of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge trail closure and free bike shuttle service.
I’m here for most of the morning handing out rider surveys for @bikeeastbay.bsky.social. You can take it here too: bit.ly/rsrshuttlesurvey
I’m here for most of the morning handing out rider surveys for @bikeeastbay.bsky.social. You can take it here too: bit.ly/rsrshuttlesurvey
MTC's video on using their RSR bridge bike shuttle, which starts next Monday when the bike/ped path closes.
The design of the racks & some of the attachments in the trailer assume a bike w/o fenders.
It would be so much easier to just let cyclist ride across the bridge. 🤷♂️
youtu.be/w0vNljbw_QI
The design of the racks & some of the attachments in the trailer assume a bike w/o fenders.
It would be so much easier to just let cyclist ride across the bridge. 🤷♂️
youtu.be/w0vNljbw_QI
How to secure your bike | Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike shuttle
YouTube video by Metropolitan Transportation Commission
youtu.be
October 25, 2025 at 4:32 PM
MTC's video on using their RSR bridge bike shuttle, which starts next Monday when the bike/ped path closes.
The design of the racks & some of the attachments in the trailer assume a bike w/o fenders.
It would be so much easier to just let cyclist ride across the bridge. 🤷♂️
youtu.be/w0vNljbw_QI
The design of the racks & some of the attachments in the trailer assume a bike w/o fenders.
It would be so much easier to just let cyclist ride across the bridge. 🤷♂️
youtu.be/w0vNljbw_QI
What I find most troubling is the fact that there appears to be a microfiche reader sitting on the table to the right and behind the bike.
Nothing says "cutting edge" like microfilm.
Nothing says "cutting edge" like microfilm.
Who is this even for? That looks like a non-standard rear rack (wont accept standard panniers) appears to lack even a porter rack. For $4500?
October 23, 2025 at 9:12 PM
What I find most troubling is the fact that there appears to be a microfiche reader sitting on the table to the right and behind the bike.
Nothing says "cutting edge" like microfilm.
Nothing says "cutting edge" like microfilm.
As I've said before, riding the new CalTrain reminds one of Europe.
Riding BART is like being in high school detention.
Riding BART is like being in high school detention.
For comparison, Caltrain's higher per-rider funding provides common amenities for regional service like on-train staff, trash cans, bathrooms, tables, wifi, etc.
We should fund BART to have standard amenities too, not ask nation's most efficient transit agency to "identify additional cost savings"
We should fund BART to have standard amenities too, not ask nation's most efficient transit agency to "identify additional cost savings"
October 14, 2025 at 9:16 PM
As I've said before, riding the new CalTrain reminds one of Europe.
Riding BART is like being in high school detention.
Riding BART is like being in high school detention.
Reposted by John Ewing
Hard to find a more obvious example of the journalism adage “If someone says it’s raining outside and someone else says it isn’t, your job is not to quote them both, your job is to go outside.”
A classic case of irresponsible both-sidesism from the NYT. The story is that Trump and MAGA propagandists are lying about Portland to incite a conflict, not that there are different views of the matter.
October 11, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Hard to find a more obvious example of the journalism adage “If someone says it’s raining outside and someone else says it isn’t, your job is not to quote them both, your job is to go outside.”
Reposted by John Ewing
“We assume that car use is an incompressible liquid that must be routed somewhere. But it’s more more like a gas that fills whatever space it is given.”
—Ian Lockwood, Harvard Loeb Fellow, transport planner.
—Ian Lockwood, Harvard Loeb Fellow, transport planner.
October 10, 2025 at 2:50 PM
“We assume that car use is an incompressible liquid that must be routed somewhere. But it’s more more like a gas that fills whatever space it is given.”
—Ian Lockwood, Harvard Loeb Fellow, transport planner.
—Ian Lockwood, Harvard Loeb Fellow, transport planner.
RSR Bridge Path Closures start on Monday 10/27/25.
October 10, 2025 at 12:11 AM
RSR Bridge Path Closures start on Monday 10/27/25.
Reposted by John Ewing
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
October 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
Remember riding the new A. Zuckermann Path, watching the old Bay Bridge being dismantled, & marveling: "We used to drive on THAT?"
I get the same uneasy feeling on the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge today.
Someone should be planning for a RSR Bridge replacement. Like, NOW.
I get the same uneasy feeling on the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge today.
Someone should be planning for a RSR Bridge replacement. Like, NOW.
October 8, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Remember riding the new A. Zuckermann Path, watching the old Bay Bridge being dismantled, & marveling: "We used to drive on THAT?"
I get the same uneasy feeling on the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge today.
Someone should be planning for a RSR Bridge replacement. Like, NOW.
I get the same uneasy feeling on the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge today.
Someone should be planning for a RSR Bridge replacement. Like, NOW.
Reposted by John Ewing
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
October 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
Found at my neighborhood bookstore.
Read for your Rights
Banned Books Week
Oct 5 - 11, 2025
Read for your Rights
Banned Books Week
Oct 5 - 11, 2025
October 6, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Found at my neighborhood bookstore.
Read for your Rights
Banned Books Week
Oct 5 - 11, 2025
Read for your Rights
Banned Books Week
Oct 5 - 11, 2025
A friend just send me this photo. Appears it was taken on Russell St at College Ave in Berkeley’s Elmwood neightborhood. Sorry I can’t give credit to the photographer.
October 3, 2025 at 11:09 PM
A friend just send me this photo. Appears it was taken on Russell St at College Ave in Berkeley’s Elmwood neightborhood. Sorry I can’t give credit to the photographer.
Just a reminder that convenient bicycle parking on Solano Avenue is available AT NO CHARGE.
Also, you don’t need to provide any identifying information to park a bike there.
Also, you don’t need to provide any identifying information to park a bike there.
October 1, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Just a reminder that convenient bicycle parking on Solano Avenue is available AT NO CHARGE.
Also, you don’t need to provide any identifying information to park a bike there.
Also, you don’t need to provide any identifying information to park a bike there.
Hey #CityOfElCerrito,
Nearly hit by a speeding driver approaching an unusual & dangerous 5-way intersection at Ashbury/Ablemarle/Stockton while I was cycling to buy pet food. Why does this slip-lane thingy even exist? Just to expedite drivers entering the 7/11 parking lot?
Nearly hit by a speeding driver approaching an unusual & dangerous 5-way intersection at Ashbury/Ablemarle/Stockton while I was cycling to buy pet food. Why does this slip-lane thingy even exist? Just to expedite drivers entering the 7/11 parking lot?
October 1, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Hey #CityOfElCerrito,
Nearly hit by a speeding driver approaching an unusual & dangerous 5-way intersection at Ashbury/Ablemarle/Stockton while I was cycling to buy pet food. Why does this slip-lane thingy even exist? Just to expedite drivers entering the 7/11 parking lot?
Nearly hit by a speeding driver approaching an unusual & dangerous 5-way intersection at Ashbury/Ablemarle/Stockton while I was cycling to buy pet food. Why does this slip-lane thingy even exist? Just to expedite drivers entering the 7/11 parking lot?
Jalopnik correctly identifies driver behavior as the hazard, but distracted driving is just 1 hazard.
Aviation has long recognized that EXTERNAL PRESSURES distort our ability to manage risk.
Here’s what it looks like for drivers:
STRESS -> FRUSTRATION -> IMPATIENCE -> ANGER -> RECKLESS BEHAVIOR
Aviation has long recognized that EXTERNAL PRESSURES distort our ability to manage risk.
Here’s what it looks like for drivers:
STRESS -> FRUSTRATION -> IMPATIENCE -> ANGER -> RECKLESS BEHAVIOR
“In 2023, cars and their drivers killed 8,820 American pedestrians and bicyclists — 7,314 pedestrians and 1,166 cyclists. They injured another 136,281, an increase of over 5,300 injuries from 2022.”
Put the responsibility where it belongs. Via @jalopnik.bsky.social www.jalopnik.com/1979666/defe...
Put the responsibility where it belongs. Via @jalopnik.bsky.social www.jalopnik.com/1979666/defe...
No, Defensive Walking Isn't The Solution For Road Deaths - Jalopnik
It's victim-blaming, it's bull, and it's not the solution we need.
www.jalopnik.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Jalopnik correctly identifies driver behavior as the hazard, but distracted driving is just 1 hazard.
Aviation has long recognized that EXTERNAL PRESSURES distort our ability to manage risk.
Here’s what it looks like for drivers:
STRESS -> FRUSTRATION -> IMPATIENCE -> ANGER -> RECKLESS BEHAVIOR
Aviation has long recognized that EXTERNAL PRESSURES distort our ability to manage risk.
Here’s what it looks like for drivers:
STRESS -> FRUSTRATION -> IMPATIENCE -> ANGER -> RECKLESS BEHAVIOR
Kudos to @berkeleyca.gov for creating this raised crossing at Franklin when the Ohlone Greenway near N Berkeley BART was repaved. All ped/bike crossings should be like this.
September 29, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Kudos to @berkeleyca.gov for creating this raised crossing at Franklin when the Ohlone Greenway near N Berkeley BART was repaved. All ped/bike crossings should be like this.