Michael Smith

shoes representing victims of traffic violence

Take action now! Tell your state representatives you want them to pass HB2095 to strengthen accountability for drivers who hit people walking or biking: app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/2095
A vote is expected soon, and your voice makes a difference. cc: @wabike.bsky.social @cascade.org

There are certainly more benefits that I’m forgetting. If you haven’t already, read Life After Cars from the folks at @thewaroncars.bsky.social. The book dives into the many ways that cars ruin almost every aspect of our modern society.

Those are just the direct benefits for people. Reducing car dependency means fewer parking lots and more space for parks and trees. The rain that falls in our cities will be cleaner when it reaches a stream, river, or ocean as it doesn’t pick up oil and microplastics from the road surface.

Traveling outside a car also leads to more social interactions and connections with neighbors. Stronger social bonds and safe streets allow children and other vulnerable populations to travel independently. This improves their cognitive and social development while freeing up their caregiver’s time.

Those that opt to get around on by foot or on 2 wheels have improved health outcomes. They also save money by not buying gas or paying for car insurance. As quick, reliable transportation becomes more accessible and affordable, more people have access to better opportunities (jobs, schools, etc).

It is amazing how many benefits a society reaps by moving away from car dependency. It starts with improved air quality and quieter streets. Fewer cars on the road makes traveling safer for everyone, especially for those outside of a car. Safer streets encourage more people to walk, roll, or bike.

The first ever scheduled 2 Line train in Seattle will depart CID at 4:47am on Saturday. The first southbound (eastbound?) 2 Line train will depart Lynnwood at 5:10am.

Metro’s survey on Route 60 is open until February 20:

kcit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Route 60 Improvements Route 60 improvements Metro is studying improvements for Route 60. The goal of the improvements is to reduce bus travel times by 10-15% during peak commute times. Most of the improvements involve b…

Metro and SDOT are looking into a few minor changes that will make the route faster and more reliable.

seattletransitblog.com/2026/02/10/r...

Route 60 is many routes in one. It offers crosstown service, operates as a last mile connection for two Link stations, stops near a few of Washington’s largest hospitals, and gets students to several different schools each morning. Here is a look into how 6,000 passengers use it each day.

A lot of people used the ‘hide and ride’ approach in Rainier Valley yesterday. Luckily for them, Seattle doesn’t enforce the 2 hour limit in RPZs.

“The population [of Seattle] is increasing, and people will be making more trips than ever. But here is the key difference: not everyone will be driving a car to do it.”

This is great to hear from @wsdot.wa.gov. Let’s build infrastructure that reduces car trips, even as the population grows.

Packed train

People on the platform unable to board the train.

The trains are at crush load and only a few people at Columbia City were able to board. I talked with some folks who said they had seen a few trains come and go with no room. They decided to take an Uber instead.

Real time arrival sign with the next two trains in 3 minutes and 5 minutes.

What if we had 2 minute Link frequencies everyday?

folks!

'Seattle Council unanimously approved ILA between City of Seattle & Seattle Social Housing, which will transfer approx. $115 million in funds this year to acquire & build permanently affordable & publicly owned housing for hundreds of working Seattleites.'

wilson.seattle.gov/2026/02/11/m...

Sound Transit has confirmed that “simulated service” on the 2 Line from Lynnwood to Redmond will start on February 14! Two-car test trains operating between regular 1 Line trains will be open to riders between CID and Lynnwood.

Metro will be running two shuttles tomorrow. The one from LQA to Cherry makes sense, buses from the north will be truncated at Queen Anne and Mercer St. The first hill shuttle makes less sense as it is redundant with the FH streetcar and does not connect with south/east routes truncated in SODO.

People will use what is built. If we build a giant interchange for cars, people will drive. If we build a connected bike network, people will bike. If we build a train, people will take the train. We should be building the city we want, not repeating mistakes that have shaped the city we have today.

New Post: Signs for two-car Link trains return to Seattle seattletransitblog.com/2026/02/09/s...

I do think JPS will be the preferred transfer station for trips between Rainier Valley and Roosevelt, Northgate, etc as it will have a much easier transfer than Mount Baker. On the return trip, people will probably get on whichever line comes first and transfer at either JPS or Mt Baker.

Transfers at JPS will be better, but the train will only save a few minutes at that point. Given the up-to 8min wait time for the train, I think it would need to be 15-20 min faster than the bus to get downtown for people to switch. Even then, a lot of people prefer a slightly slower 1 seat ride.

I’m not sure how much JPS will change patterns for people going downtown. Most 7/106 passengers going downtown stay on the bus instead of transferring to Link at Mt Baker today, even though the train is faster during rush hour. Ofc, that may be due to the transfer penalty + crossing Rainier.

halftime show fromt eh supebowl showing a set on the field featuring a nyc bodega

This kind of smart, walkable, mixed-use urbanism is illegal to build in most American cities.

Congrats to Mt Baker “Community” Club for successfully eliminating all upzones near Hunter Blvd. Wouldn’t want any renters getting access to the lake!

Let’s only use that reasoning for preserving the pedestrianized half-block of Pike St where @nerd4cities.bsky.social and @kenjilopezalt.bsky.social filmed a video.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=VhJb...

From the wording on that sign, looking and listening are required for crossing safely. Is this Lynnwood’s way of admitting that their streets are not safe for people with vision and/or hearing disabilities?

Two signs on the sidewalk that read: “Crosswalk safety: Stop, Look, Listen. Cross only when safe” and “In Memory of Deondre Whitaker”.

Hey @lynnwoodwa.bsky.social - instead of victim blaming someone who was killed on your streets, the City should take concrete steps to make it safe to do so. I was nearly hit by a car at this same intersection when a driver decided to make a right turn on red without stopping.

Swift Orange Line bus at Hwy 99 & 196th St.

6/29: Community Transit Swift on the Orange Line

The A Line will still be a high ridership route, but I don’t think it will be Metro’s most productive route.

A cat perched in a tree.

I’ve always thought the cat stuck in tree trope was just a made up story. It turns out, cats (or at least this one) can and do climb trees!