RJ Sheperd

See the EU Parliament Members making $1M/yr. Probably saves the EU billions by reducing corruption across the member states.

Meanwhile, our Congress looks at Hegseth‘s $80B+ spend on fruit and cakes and says “where’s my piece?”

This system also invites significant corruption. You should want your lawmakers to be paid well so they DON’T go looking for bribes.

"There will not be a funding opportunity for [Safe Routes to School] construction projects this year."

Still cannot believe this happened. But what do we expect when so many legislators are unserious, underpaid part-timers?

content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORD...

"IZ seeks to produce affordable homes by substituting land use policy in place of broadly shared taxes and public subsidies.
This analysis suggests that the public may be paying either way, and that the costs of IZ are both higher and more regressive than the alternative."

Also, we have the money. We can deliver 50 miles of PBLs for under $5M with prefab bike separators. PCEF can easily cover that.

The risk is we end up delivering zero infrastructure to actually help people ride at a time of skyrocketing gas prices, economic dislocation. Its no big secret the city needs something bold, that’s why we just gave away the farm for the Blazers Stadium!

Why not do the same with 50 miles of PBLs?

I just don’t see Councilors / Mayor Wilson making the case against Bike Infrastructure. IMHO, the hesitation is coming from within PBOT.

Mayor Wilson/Council see the big picture, and I think they want to get caught trying for big, bold changes rather than sign up for a marketing campaign.

thank you for your hard work!!

I agree, we need passionate folks such as yourself to be fighting for these changes AND electing leaders that won’t backslide the moment they are in office.

Be sure to @bikeloudpdx.bsky.social and get involved with a campaign!

How an electric bike can protect your money as another oil shock hits Over $100 per barrel and rising, the oil shock of 2026 in its early days could still surpass the levels

How an electric bike can protect your money as another oil shock hits.

The argument for fossil fuels is ending, but so too is the argument for relying on cars for journeys of under five miles.

Here's some numbers to convince:

www.cyclingelectric.com/in-depth/how...

Agencies are more willing to take risks when Council/political entities make the space for them to be bold.

We have Councilors who are willing to stand up for this stuff. We just don’t have the basics of blocking & tackling of organizing down.

If PSU was able to build itself into a true downtown campus that held 50-60K students, that would be a game-changer for Downtown.

Much better ROI than writing GO bonds so the Blazers can build a new stadium on our dime.

I think that’s where organizing gets the goods!

You need a constant inside/outside strategy. Local political parties in Europe are just so much more stronger/well/resourced than the US, and the Fietsesbond (Cycling Union) has dozens of staffers.

Folks, you too can save yourself $1,000s of dollars and stop subsiding wars in foreign countries with this one neat trick.

Go by @trimet.org !

I’m skeptical of any one person being “Bike Mayor.” We’ve had so many times where visionary leaders are co-opted by establishment politics.

We need a “Green Party” with a vision that also has the ability to throw their weight around and vote people in/out of office.

Implement the 2030 Bike Plan (with the addendum of putting a PBL on Sandy) www.portland.gov/sites/defaul...

Lots of good stuff in here, and it’s not too late!

Credit where credit is due: SW 4th is great! Better Naito is great! Do more of that!

I’ve always thought a Burnside PBL from NW 23rd, down over the bridge to East Portland limits would be amazing

PBOT became a punching bag from the SE Division Protected Bike Lanes from 82nd to the city limits, PBLs on Hawthorne got nixed, and now the best they can do is a big marketing push to avoid scaring more drivers

They’re calling at the most open strait in history folks, just unfettered commerce

this means there are 4 times as many single stair apartments in the EU as there are *total* apartments in the US

gives you a sense of just how asinine our building regulations really are

I’m still very skeptical of Bikeable Portland. It feels like waving the white flag.

The fact that our Greenway system is so illegible and ”hidden“ dooms it to failure.

Protected/raised cycle paths on major arterials are the only thing that really will move the needle

I think it’s dependent on your audience.

If you’re looking for eyeballs on Instagram & TikTok, then video feels almost necessary. It’s as if people are driving by and only have a moment to glance.

Bluesky probably not as much.

cc @pbotinfo.bsky.social

If local governments want to provide relief from high gas prices RIGHT NOW:

1. Quick build bike and scooter lanes that are languishing as plans. Call it temporary, just cut the process theatre and make it happen. Get staff to scope more.

2. Flex general funding to run more transit service.

European's Rail Traffic Signaling System allows mixed traffic on nearly all rails.

Considering where Diesel prices will be in a few months, BNSF/UP/CSX should start issuing bonds to invest in electrification/double tracking, adopt ERTMS to allow mixed traffic and start running passenger service.

I think the only requirement I ask of folks who share AI work is to share the prompt!

The use of AI depends on thousands of hours of other people's work (painting, perspective drawing, rendering, etc.). The least that one should do is to #opensource their process to help others.

WA really taking an "all of the above" approach to trying to address the housing crisis.

Another reason we need mode shift to rail - with steel wheels, not tires. Fewer cars and trucks on the road = less plastic in your lungs.

modal filter at the intersection of bute street and robson street.

modal filter at the intersection of bute street and haro street.

modal filter at the intersection of jervis street and maxine lane.

modal filter at the intersection of bute street and davie street.

in the west end, #vancouver uses a lot of small public plazas as modal filters, which allow bikes and pedestrians to go through, but not cars. not only do these places make the city safer for all, they're also great third places.