Joan Liu
@joanliu.bsky.social
I walk and bike a lot. Product manager at the MBTA.
Reposted by Joan Liu
Aurora in Somerville, MA
November 12, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Aurora in Somerville, MA
Reposted by Joan Liu
In 1912, the U.S. and Canada weren't allies—in fact, the Speaker of the U.S. House advocated for the violent overthrow of Canada to cheers in Congress.
But Boston's response to the devastating Halifax Explosion in 1917 changed everything, forging a deep alliance between our cities.
1/
But Boston's response to the devastating Halifax Explosion in 1917 changed everything, forging a deep alliance between our cities.
1/
November 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
In 1912, the U.S. and Canada weren't allies—in fact, the Speaker of the U.S. House advocated for the violent overthrow of Canada to cheers in Congress.
But Boston's response to the devastating Halifax Explosion in 1917 changed everything, forging a deep alliance between our cities.
1/
But Boston's response to the devastating Halifax Explosion in 1917 changed everything, forging a deep alliance between our cities.
1/
Mystic Way makeover is getting close. Fence is down!!
November 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Mystic Way makeover is getting close. Fence is down!!
McGrath highway creates terrible environments but I do love biking on Gilman St under McGrath on a sunny fall morning. Your eyes adjust to the shade, but then adjusts when you emerge, making the red leaves even more brilliant.
November 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
McGrath highway creates terrible environments but I do love biking on Gilman St under McGrath on a sunny fall morning. Your eyes adjust to the shade, but then adjusts when you emerge, making the red leaves even more brilliant.
Reposted by Joan Liu
Peter Coviello isn't on Bluesky, but this definitely should be: lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Peter Coviello isn't on Bluesky, but this definitely should be: lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Reposted by Joan Liu
Editorial: Bike Lane Hating Politicians Keep On Losing -
As it turns out, a considerable number of informed voters understand that if we actually want less traffic, we need to design streets that favor more efficient modes of transportation.
#mapoli
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/05/e...
As it turns out, a considerable number of informed voters understand that if we actually want less traffic, we need to design streets that favor more efficient modes of transportation.
#mapoli
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/05/e...
Editorial: Bike Lane Haters Keep On Losing - Streetsblog Massachusetts
As it turns out, a considerable number of informed voters understand that if we actually want less traffic, we need to design streets that favor more efficient modes of transportation.
mass.streetsblog.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Editorial: Bike Lane Hating Politicians Keep On Losing -
As it turns out, a considerable number of informed voters understand that if we actually want less traffic, we need to design streets that favor more efficient modes of transportation.
#mapoli
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/05/e...
As it turns out, a considerable number of informed voters understand that if we actually want less traffic, we need to design streets that favor more efficient modes of transportation.
#mapoli
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/05/e...
Reposted by Joan Liu
If anyone is interested in the actual process behind how @johnhawkinson.bsky.social and other volunteers produce the "early results" for Cambridge City Council election #1s, I did a writeup of the process by which dozens of folks helped people get results last night.
www.reddit.com/r/CambridgeM...
www.reddit.com/r/CambridgeM...
From the CambridgeMA community on Reddit: how we got "early results" last night
Explore this post and more from the CambridgeMA community
www.reddit.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM
If anyone is interested in the actual process behind how @johnhawkinson.bsky.social and other volunteers produce the "early results" for Cambridge City Council election #1s, I did a writeup of the process by which dozens of folks helped people get results last night.
www.reddit.com/r/CambridgeM...
www.reddit.com/r/CambridgeM...
Whelp, thought it was just a Mississippi experience but this weekend an old lady from Cambridge, MA remarked that I spoke English without an accent and she could understand me.
November 4, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Whelp, thought it was just a Mississippi experience but this weekend an old lady from Cambridge, MA remarked that I spoke English without an accent and she could understand me.
Reposted by Joan Liu
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
November 2, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Reposted by Joan Liu
Reposted by Joan Liu
AAA really will come pick up your bike, they aren’t lying.
The driver, when we arrived at Belmont Wheelworks, asked if he could take a picture, saying “It’s my first bike!”
The driver, when we arrived at Belmont Wheelworks, asked if he could take a picture, saying “It’s my first bike!”
October 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
AAA really will come pick up your bike, they aren’t lying.
The driver, when we arrived at Belmont Wheelworks, asked if he could take a picture, saying “It’s my first bike!”
The driver, when we arrived at Belmont Wheelworks, asked if he could take a picture, saying “It’s my first bike!”
Got a recall notification from the grocery store informing me I may have bought peaches that have been recalled due to potential listeria. Except the timeframe was over a month ago. Didn't think peaches lasted that long.
October 30, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Got a recall notification from the grocery store informing me I may have bought peaches that have been recalled due to potential listeria. Except the timeframe was over a month ago. Didn't think peaches lasted that long.
I felt irrationally proud/ecstatic that I chained together a workout, a grocery store stop, a liquor store, and a Brazilian meat market trip, by bike, on Monday, in less than two hours. Especially the lock my bike at the liquor store and run across the street to the market bit.
After having been car-dependent for nearly 20 years, I am absolutely loving living in a 15 minute city
I honestly have no idea why anyone* would be against being able to walk everywhere
*unless you were beholden to the petrochemical industry of course
I honestly have no idea why anyone* would be against being able to walk everywhere
*unless you were beholden to the petrochemical industry of course
October 29, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I felt irrationally proud/ecstatic that I chained together a workout, a grocery store stop, a liquor store, and a Brazilian meat market trip, by bike, on Monday, in less than two hours. Especially the lock my bike at the liquor store and run across the street to the market bit.
Reposted by Joan Liu
There's debate among #transit pros about free buses Zohran Mamdani is pitching in NYC.
2 points: much of infuriating "dwell time" at stops is over riders paying their fares.
Conflicts over fares are stressful + dangerous, and make driver recruitment hard.
The former is reduced, latter eliminated.
2 points: much of infuriating "dwell time" at stops is over riders paying their fares.
Conflicts over fares are stressful + dangerous, and make driver recruitment hard.
The former is reduced, latter eliminated.
October 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
There's debate among #transit pros about free buses Zohran Mamdani is pitching in NYC.
2 points: much of infuriating "dwell time" at stops is over riders paying their fares.
Conflicts over fares are stressful + dangerous, and make driver recruitment hard.
The former is reduced, latter eliminated.
2 points: much of infuriating "dwell time" at stops is over riders paying their fares.
Conflicts over fares are stressful + dangerous, and make driver recruitment hard.
The former is reduced, latter eliminated.
Reposted by Joan Liu
I’ve been a supporter of the Somerville Homeless Coalition for years.
If you’re looking for a way to offer real support - you could do a lot worse than SHC.
somervillehomelesscoalition.org
10/10
If you’re looking for a way to offer real support - you could do a lot worse than SHC.
somervillehomelesscoalition.org
10/10
Home - Somerville Homeless Coalition
Our mission is to provide homeless and nearly homeless individuals and families with individualized supportive services and tailored housing solutions with a goal of obtaining and maintaining affordab...
somervillehomelesscoalition.org
October 29, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I’ve been a supporter of the Somerville Homeless Coalition for years.
If you’re looking for a way to offer real support - you could do a lot worse than SHC.
somervillehomelesscoalition.org
10/10
If you’re looking for a way to offer real support - you could do a lot worse than SHC.
somervillehomelesscoalition.org
10/10
My dad's dad had to flee China without his first family and when we finally met them, my dad had cousins who had kids older than me. Those "kids" had to call me aunt.
In traditional Chinese culture, every relative has a title & a rank (relative to their age in relation to your parent). Before company came to visit, my parents would drill me on how to address the visitors. Gods help you if you got the greeting wrong & shamed your family. But “auntie” is also used.
October 29, 2025 at 11:52 AM
My dad's dad had to flee China without his first family and when we finally met them, my dad had cousins who had kids older than me. Those "kids" had to call me aunt.
Reposted by Joan Liu
I’m doing a “Seven Days of Data Stories” project, where I’m trying to get better at building interactives while sharing things that I think are important.
This is the first! Visualizing the flow of tax money, and why 11 states pay into the federal government while the rest are dependent.
This is the first! Visualizing the flow of tax money, and why 11 states pay into the federal government while the rest are dependent.
The Federal-State Money Story
Interactive visualization of federal spending patterns across U.S. states. Explore which states receive more federal dollars than they pay in taxes, and how federal money flows through state economies...
dr.eamer.dev
October 28, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I’m doing a “Seven Days of Data Stories” project, where I’m trying to get better at building interactives while sharing things that I think are important.
This is the first! Visualizing the flow of tax money, and why 11 states pay into the federal government while the rest are dependent.
This is the first! Visualizing the flow of tax money, and why 11 states pay into the federal government while the rest are dependent.
Reposted by Joan Liu
Just started my recurring donation. Now is the moment for the community to step up for our neighbors.
I hate that we have to donate to food banks and that they are super inefficient compared to just giving people money, but this is the world we have chosen to live in. I have a recurring donation to the Somerville homeless coalition, I hope you'll join me somervillehomelesscoalition.org
Home - Somerville Homeless Coalition
Our mission is to provide homeless and nearly homeless individuals and families with individualized supportive services and tailored housing solutions with a goal of obtaining and maintaining affordab...
somervillehomelesscoalition.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Just started my recurring donation. Now is the moment for the community to step up for our neighbors.
I hate that we have to donate to food banks and that they are super inefficient compared to just giving people money, but this is the world we have chosen to live in. I have a recurring donation to the Somerville homeless coalition, I hope you'll join me somervillehomelesscoalition.org
Home - Somerville Homeless Coalition
Our mission is to provide homeless and nearly homeless individuals and families with individualized supportive services and tailored housing solutions with a goal of obtaining and maintaining affordab...
somervillehomelesscoalition.org
October 26, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I hate that we have to donate to food banks and that they are super inefficient compared to just giving people money, but this is the world we have chosen to live in. I have a recurring donation to the Somerville homeless coalition, I hope you'll join me somervillehomelesscoalition.org
Volunteering to help with @familybikeride.bsky.social today.
October 26, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Volunteering to help with @familybikeride.bsky.social today.
A few pictures from my bike ride (as transportation) yesterday; lovely way to get around on a fall day. 🥰 I wish I could have gotten a picture of my shadow on the green line tracks as I biked over the big hill between Lechmere and East Somerville.
October 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM
A few pictures from my bike ride (as transportation) yesterday; lovely way to get around on a fall day. 🥰 I wish I could have gotten a picture of my shadow on the green line tracks as I biked over the big hill between Lechmere and East Somerville.
My husband's friends are planning a nostalgic get-together (ritual until they moved out of Cambridge/Somerville) at the druid and when we walked by last night, there were two Tim flaherty signs in the window. Now I'm debating whether or not to say something, which will definitely cause trouble.
Who I am voting for, and why, Cambridge 2025.
(Easy chart on the first page, then 7 pages of word salad, which is still more comprehensible than some of the school committee candidates' websites)
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
(Also obligatory fuck off Tim Flaherty)
(Easy chart on the first page, then 7 pages of word salad, which is still more comprehensible than some of the school committee candidates' websites)
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
(Also obligatory fuck off Tim Flaherty)
Who I am Voting for (and why
Who I am Voting for (and why!) 2025: Cambridge There’s an election in Cambridge. November 4. You should vote. For starters, here is a cheat sheet. You do not need to read beyond the first page. You p...
docs.google.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
My husband's friends are planning a nostalgic get-together (ritual until they moved out of Cambridge/Somerville) at the druid and when we walked by last night, there were two Tim flaherty signs in the window. Now I'm debating whether or not to say something, which will definitely cause trouble.
Reposted by Joan Liu
Are you signed up for our Halloween Family Bike Ride yet??!! We’re going to have an absolute blast
www.familybikeride.org/halloween
www.familybikeride.org/halloween
October 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Are you signed up for our Halloween Family Bike Ride yet??!! We’re going to have an absolute blast
www.familybikeride.org/halloween
www.familybikeride.org/halloween
Making myself a Halloween costume out of things lying around.
October 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Making myself a Halloween costume out of things lying around.
Does this look like a "gas gate" to anyone? I've logged 5 311 tickets about this pothole. I even left these directions: "Pothole in East bound bike lane, right before 3rd tree starting from the driveway to 90 Washington. To the left front of the bike lane arrow, at 5th flex post." 4 tickets closed.
October 24, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Does this look like a "gas gate" to anyone? I've logged 5 311 tickets about this pothole. I even left these directions: "Pothole in East bound bike lane, right before 3rd tree starting from the driveway to 90 Washington. To the left front of the bike lane arrow, at 5th flex post." 4 tickets closed.