Lauren
@lpangborn.bsky.social
Urbanist and bike advocate in Spokane
Columnist for @rangemedia.co
Columnist for @rangemedia.co
Pinned
Lauren
@lpangborn.bsky.social
· Nov 9
Trello
Organize anything, together. Trello is a collaboration tool that organizes your projects into boards. In one glance, know what's being worked on, who's working on what, and where something is in a pro...
trello.com
Alright new to the neighborhood.
Here’s some stuff that you might like:
- Spokane bicycle infrastructure project tracker: trello.com/b/eFMhFOsB/u...
- And a map of current and future infrastructure: felt.com/map/2030-Net...
Here’s some stuff that you might like:
- Spokane bicycle infrastructure project tracker: trello.com/b/eFMhFOsB/u...
- And a map of current and future infrastructure: felt.com/map/2030-Net...
Reposted by Lauren
Ok, here's one big item of the night! The parking tax! For a preview, check out our urbanism columnist @lpangborn.bsky.social 's piece on that here: rangemedia.co/spokane-city...
Spokane City Council considers taxing commercial parking lots – RANGE Media
The tax would add about $0.50 to a $3.85 parking fee and fund street repair. But it’s not just about revenue, it’s about increasing vibrancy downtown.
rangemedia.co
November 25, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Ok, here's one big item of the night! The parking tax! For a preview, check out our urbanism columnist @lpangborn.bsky.social 's piece on that here: rangemedia.co/spokane-city...
Reposted by Lauren
Wow this is bad.
CPSC Warns Consumers to Immediately Stop Using Batteries for E-Bikes from Rad Power Bikes Due to Fire Hazard; Risk of Serious Injury or Death www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/202...
November 24, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Wow this is bad.
Reposted by Lauren
Covent Garden deploying advanced pedestrianization technology: flower cart and bollards.
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Covent Garden deploying advanced pedestrianization technology: flower cart and bollards.
Reposted by Lauren
Heads up, Spokane drivers! Red light cameras are now active at Mission & Greene - one of our busiest intersections with 18 crashes since 2023.
New red light cameras installed at one of Spokane's busiest intersections
SPOKANE, Wash. -- The City of Spokane installed new automated red light traffic safety cameras at the intersection of E Mission Avenue and N Greene Street. A violation warning period
www.kxly.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Heads up, Spokane drivers! Red light cameras are now active at Mission & Greene - one of our busiest intersections with 18 crashes since 2023.
Reposted by Lauren
"A 2023 review by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the Idaho Stop can reduce crash rates by up to 23 percent and, crucially, showed no evidence of increased conflicts with pedestrians or other cyclists."
The default in nearly all states is to impose the same traffic rules on bicycles as on motor vehicles even though the needs of cyclists are so different.
Vision Zero Cities: Bicycles Are Not Cars So They Shouldn't Have to Follow the Same Rules - Streetsblog New York City
The default in nearly all states is to impose the same traffic rules on bicycles as on motor vehicles even though the needs of cyclists are so different.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 11:35 PM
"A 2023 review by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the Idaho Stop can reduce crash rates by up to 23 percent and, crucially, showed no evidence of increased conflicts with pedestrians or other cyclists."
Reposted by Lauren
🥐In Paris, 19 in 20 residents live within a five minute walk of a bakery.
That walkability is possible because single-stair buildings are legal🚶♂️
North Carolina could unlock similar neighborhoods by legalizing single-stair🏙️
Read more 👉 https://loom.ly/ulS2CQM
#urbanism #paris #singlestair
That walkability is possible because single-stair buildings are legal🚶♂️
North Carolina could unlock similar neighborhoods by legalizing single-stair🏙️
Read more 👉 https://loom.ly/ulS2CQM
#urbanism #paris #singlestair
November 21, 2025 at 1:02 PM
🥐In Paris, 19 in 20 residents live within a five minute walk of a bakery.
That walkability is possible because single-stair buildings are legal🚶♂️
North Carolina could unlock similar neighborhoods by legalizing single-stair🏙️
Read more 👉 https://loom.ly/ulS2CQM
#urbanism #paris #singlestair
That walkability is possible because single-stair buildings are legal🚶♂️
North Carolina could unlock similar neighborhoods by legalizing single-stair🏙️
Read more 👉 https://loom.ly/ulS2CQM
#urbanism #paris #singlestair
Reposted by Lauren
Good reminder, the CDC can no longer be trusted. You can find vaccination information you need on Washington's DOH website. doh.wa.gov/you-and-your...
November 21, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Good reminder, the CDC can no longer be trusted. You can find vaccination information you need on Washington's DOH website. doh.wa.gov/you-and-your...
THE FREE PARKING HACK SPOKANE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW
It’s super easy to use and you’ll start seeing it everywhere once you know about it.
Most of the time it allows you to park closer to your destination than you might be used to.
It’s super easy to use and you’ll start seeing it everywhere once you know about it.
Most of the time it allows you to park closer to your destination than you might be used to.
November 21, 2025 at 5:56 PM
THE FREE PARKING HACK SPOKANE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW
It’s super easy to use and you’ll start seeing it everywhere once you know about it.
Most of the time it allows you to park closer to your destination than you might be used to.
It’s super easy to use and you’ll start seeing it everywhere once you know about it.
Most of the time it allows you to park closer to your destination than you might be used to.
Reposted by Lauren
In other new, Spokane Transit was recently accepted as a transit agency member of @nacto.bsky.social!
STA has long benefited from their resources for bus stop design. Membership is next level collaboration.
nacto.org/latest/nacto...
STA has long benefited from their resources for bus stop design. Membership is next level collaboration.
nacto.org/latest/nacto...
NACTO Welcomes Five Cities and Transit Agencies as New Members - NACTO
Belgrade, Montana; the Jacksonville Transportation Authority; the Montgomery Department of Transportation; the Spokane Transit Authority; and the Toronto Transit Commission join network of more than 1...
nacto.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
In other new, Spokane Transit was recently accepted as a transit agency member of @nacto.bsky.social!
STA has long benefited from their resources for bus stop design. Membership is next level collaboration.
nacto.org/latest/nacto...
STA has long benefited from their resources for bus stop design. Membership is next level collaboration.
nacto.org/latest/nacto...
Reposted by Lauren
So much of our infrastructure, planning, environmental, and road safety measures seem to be based around politicians' fear of slightly inconveniencing easily-angered motorists. Pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users are barely considered in their calculations.
November 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
So much of our infrastructure, planning, environmental, and road safety measures seem to be based around politicians' fear of slightly inconveniencing easily-angered motorists. Pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users are barely considered in their calculations.
Not only are these cars causing the tons of damage to our street surfaces — an F250 causes 5x the damage a Tesla Model 3 causes — they’re an absolute menace to anyone outside of the car
New study finds that "vehicles with large driver-side blind zones are much more likely to strike crossing pedestrians while turning left."
Which vehicles have big driver-side blind zones? Those with thick A-pillars, bulky side mirrors, and tall hoods—i.e., big SUVs and trucks.
Which vehicles have big driver-side blind zones? Those with thick A-pillars, bulky side mirrors, and tall hoods—i.e., big SUVs and trucks.
Vehicles with big blind zones spell danger to pedestrians during left turns
A large driver-side blind zone raises the risk of striking a pedestrian during a left turn by 70%, a new IIHS study shows.
www.iihs.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Not only are these cars causing the tons of damage to our street surfaces — an F250 causes 5x the damage a Tesla Model 3 causes — they’re an absolute menace to anyone outside of the car
While Spokane can’t yet levy a Land Value Tax due to state law, the city is trying to levy a sort of hyper-specific LVT on just the commercial parking facilities.
Lots in our urban core are leeches on our municipal budget, paying pennies in property taxes compared to productive lots.
Lots in our urban core are leeches on our municipal budget, paying pennies in property taxes compared to productive lots.
Check out this great video by Urban3 that explores the hidden ways cities subsidize the fiscal black hole that is parking.
One reason for this is that tax assessors frequently undervalue parcels with parking lots, sometimes under $1/sq ft!
youtu.be/BujZfaz6wBo?...
One reason for this is that tax assessors frequently undervalue parcels with parking lots, sometimes under $1/sq ft!
youtu.be/BujZfaz6wBo?...
November 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
While Spokane can’t yet levy a Land Value Tax due to state law, the city is trying to levy a sort of hyper-specific LVT on just the commercial parking facilities.
Lots in our urban core are leeches on our municipal budget, paying pennies in property taxes compared to productive lots.
Lots in our urban core are leeches on our municipal budget, paying pennies in property taxes compared to productive lots.
Reposted by Lauren
After 404 Media's months-long reporting and pressure from lawmakers, the data broker owned by the U.S.’s major airlines will now shut down a program in which it sold access to hundreds of millions of flight records to the government and let agencies track peoples’ movements without a warrant.
November 18, 2025 at 9:39 PM
After 404 Media's months-long reporting and pressure from lawmakers, the data broker owned by the U.S.’s major airlines will now shut down a program in which it sold access to hundreds of millions of flight records to the government and let agencies track peoples’ movements without a warrant.
If you’re wondering how the debate is going on the city’s parking tax ordinance, it’s this
November 19, 2025 at 3:51 PM
If you’re wondering how the debate is going on the city’s parking tax ordinance, it’s this
Reposted by Lauren
Downtown business leaders’ hyperbolic reaction is what might deter customers, not the fact of the parking tax itself. I wrote about this phenomenon, in which these leaders are their own worst enemies, for the @inlander.com here:
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Downtown business leaders’ hyperbolic reaction is what might deter customers, not the fact of the parking tax itself. I wrote about this phenomenon, in which these leaders are their own worst enemies, for the @inlander.com here:
Reposted by Lauren
Downtown worker notes that she pays $240/month to park daily in a surface lot.
That’s a really bad rate! She should get monthly parking and she’d pay like $150/month in a secure garage!
That’s a really bad rate! She should get monthly parking and she’d pay like $150/month in a secure garage!
November 18, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Downtown worker notes that she pays $240/month to park daily in a surface lot.
That’s a really bad rate! She should get monthly parking and she’d pay like $150/month in a secure garage!
That’s a really bad rate! She should get monthly parking and she’d pay like $150/month in a secure garage!
Reposted by Lauren
The always on-point @eriklowe.bsky.social gives some great feedback on the parking tax in the context of the airport, noting it should maybe be even higher, given demand for airport parking is inelastic.
November 18, 2025 at 3:21 AM
The always on-point @eriklowe.bsky.social gives some great feedback on the parking tax in the context of the airport, noting it should maybe be even higher, given demand for airport parking is inelastic.
Reposted by Lauren
Ultimately, some school streets were folded into Barcelona's Superblock 1.0 and Superblock 2.0 programs. By the end of 2023, this street with the yellow paint was fully transformed. The first photo is "before." The second and third are "after." This is the exact same street and block.
November 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Ultimately, some school streets were folded into Barcelona's Superblock 1.0 and Superblock 2.0 programs. By the end of 2023, this street with the yellow paint was fully transformed. The first photo is "before." The second and third are "after." This is the exact same street and block.
Reposted by Lauren
Use this tool to send a quick note to Spokane City Council urging them to pass a modest tax on commercial parking. Revenues will support our forward-thinking transportation program and help close our budget gap.
(Yes, I know the sharing card has a typo, it’s unfixable unfortunately.)
(Yes, I know the sharing card has a typo, it’s unfixable unfortunately.)
Support a modest tax on commercial parking tax
As reported in RANGE, Spokane City Council is considering a commercial parking tax at its meeting on Monday, November 17. Structured as a 6-12% fee to park at a commercial lot, the measure would help ...
actionnetwork.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Use this tool to send a quick note to Spokane City Council urging them to pass a modest tax on commercial parking. Revenues will support our forward-thinking transportation program and help close our budget gap.
(Yes, I know the sharing card has a typo, it’s unfixable unfortunately.)
(Yes, I know the sharing card has a typo, it’s unfixable unfortunately.)
Reposted by Lauren
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
Reposted by Lauren
📢MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Its that time of year again! Our North Spokane Corridor workshops are back! First in our series will be:
📅Thursday, Nov. 20
⌚️Doors open 4:30pm, Starts at 5pm
🗺️Francis Scot Elementary, Multipurpose Room
Can't make it in person? Join use online - bit.ly/4nuze08
Its that time of year again! Our North Spokane Corridor workshops are back! First in our series will be:
📅Thursday, Nov. 20
⌚️Doors open 4:30pm, Starts at 5pm
🗺️Francis Scot Elementary, Multipurpose Room
Can't make it in person? Join use online - bit.ly/4nuze08
November 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
📢MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Its that time of year again! Our North Spokane Corridor workshops are back! First in our series will be:
📅Thursday, Nov. 20
⌚️Doors open 4:30pm, Starts at 5pm
🗺️Francis Scot Elementary, Multipurpose Room
Can't make it in person? Join use online - bit.ly/4nuze08
Its that time of year again! Our North Spokane Corridor workshops are back! First in our series will be:
📅Thursday, Nov. 20
⌚️Doors open 4:30pm, Starts at 5pm
🗺️Francis Scot Elementary, Multipurpose Room
Can't make it in person? Join use online - bit.ly/4nuze08
Reposted by Lauren
Happy 146th Birthday to the Bicycles of Washington State!
"The first bicycle arrived in Washington Territory on Nov. 14, 1879, and was prominently displayed in the window of a Seattle stationery and book shop at 617 Front Street owned by William H. Pumphrey."
www.historylink.org/File/20810
"The first bicycle arrived in Washington Territory on Nov. 14, 1879, and was prominently displayed in the window of a Seattle stationery and book shop at 617 Front Street owned by William H. Pumphrey."
www.historylink.org/File/20810
Cycling in Washington
The first bicycle arrived in Washington Territory in 1879 on a steamer from San Francisco and within a decade, Washington, along with the rest of the nation, went bike-crazy. Innovative developments
www.historylink.org
November 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Happy 146th Birthday to the Bicycles of Washington State!
"The first bicycle arrived in Washington Territory on Nov. 14, 1879, and was prominently displayed in the window of a Seattle stationery and book shop at 617 Front Street owned by William H. Pumphrey."
www.historylink.org/File/20810
"The first bicycle arrived in Washington Territory on Nov. 14, 1879, and was prominently displayed in the window of a Seattle stationery and book shop at 617 Front Street owned by William H. Pumphrey."
www.historylink.org/File/20810
Reposted by Lauren
If you know a thing or two about the makeup of Spokane, you’ll know that we are a city PLAGUED with surface parking. This would be a huge and highly needed source of income for our city.
An upcoming ordinance, if passed by city council, would tax surface and garage parking lots. Funds would go to transportation projects like street and sidewalk maintenance. The ordinance is scheduled for a final council reading on Nov. 17. Read more here:
Spokane City Council considers taxing commercial parking lots – RANGE Media
The tax would add about $0.50 to a $3.85 parking fee and fund street repair. But it’s not just about revenue, it’s about increasing vibrancy downtown.
rangemedia.co
November 14, 2025 at 1:33 AM
If you know a thing or two about the makeup of Spokane, you’ll know that we are a city PLAGUED with surface parking. This would be a huge and highly needed source of income for our city.
My latest for @rangemedia.co is an analysis of the ordinance
Surface parking lots
- aren’t housing
- don’t create jobs or culture
- pay almost no property tax
- ruin walkability
- are ugly
- attract crime
- send revenue out of our economy
So yes, let’s tax them out of existence.
Surface parking lots
- aren’t housing
- don’t create jobs or culture
- pay almost no property tax
- ruin walkability
- are ugly
- attract crime
- send revenue out of our economy
So yes, let’s tax them out of existence.
An upcoming ordinance, if passed by city council, would tax surface and garage parking lots. Funds would go to transportation projects like street and sidewalk maintenance. The ordinance is scheduled for a final council reading on Nov. 17. Read more here:
Spokane City Council considers taxing commercial parking lots – RANGE Media
The tax would add about $0.50 to a $3.85 parking fee and fund street repair. But it’s not just about revenue, it’s about increasing vibrancy downtown.
rangemedia.co
November 13, 2025 at 9:22 PM
My latest for @rangemedia.co is an analysis of the ordinance
Surface parking lots
- aren’t housing
- don’t create jobs or culture
- pay almost no property tax
- ruin walkability
- are ugly
- attract crime
- send revenue out of our economy
So yes, let’s tax them out of existence.
Surface parking lots
- aren’t housing
- don’t create jobs or culture
- pay almost no property tax
- ruin walkability
- are ugly
- attract crime
- send revenue out of our economy
So yes, let’s tax them out of existence.
Reposted by Lauren
"In 2025, 40% of women aged 15 to 44 say they would move abroad permanently if they had the opportunity. The current figure is four times higher than the 10% who shared this desire in 2014, when it was generally in line with other age and gender groups."
Record Numbers of Younger Women Want to Leave the U.S.
The percentage of younger women in the U.S. who express a desire to migrate permanently has surged in the past decade.
news.gallup.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
"In 2025, 40% of women aged 15 to 44 say they would move abroad permanently if they had the opportunity. The current figure is four times higher than the 10% who shared this desire in 2014, when it was generally in line with other age and gender groups."