Carter Rubin
@carterrubin.com
Urban planner in Southern California working to transform transportation. Posting my way to a better world to walk, bike and roll. Talk to me about DOTs, MPOs, RTPs and SCSs. Day job at NRDC.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
A stretch of California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the world-famous route that winds through steep, rugged and breathtaking terrain along the ocean, has reopened after a yearslong closure that hampered tourism and cast doubt on its future.
California’s Pacific Coast Highway Fully Reopens After Three Years
The famed highway reopened this week after consecutive landslides shuttered two sections of the road in Big Sur and forced major repairs.
nyti.ms
January 16, 2026 at 1:40 AM
A stretch of California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the world-famous route that winds through steep, rugged and breathtaking terrain along the ocean, has reopened after a yearslong closure that hampered tourism and cast doubt on its future.
Back of the napkin math: California is going to spend a ~TRILLION~ dollars on transportation between now and 2045 when we reach our net zero GHG goal. Are we leveraging those funds to cut GHG, increase mobility, save households money and clean the air? It's hard to say and probably a mixed bag!
January 15, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Back of the napkin math: California is going to spend a ~TRILLION~ dollars on transportation between now and 2045 when we reach our net zero GHG goal. Are we leveraging those funds to cut GHG, increase mobility, save households money and clean the air? It's hard to say and probably a mixed bag!
Reposted by Carter Rubin
The Senate should not vote to fund the government while communities in America are under assault from the government.
January 15, 2026 at 5:01 AM
The Senate should not vote to fund the government while communities in America are under assault from the government.
Every time I'm around Market in downtown SF, I’m like what is this madness. People walking/biking/on transit must outweigh car riders 10-1. Such a no brainer.
Congestion Pricing: Is it Time to Try it in San Francisco? - sf.streetsblog.org/2026/01/14/c...
Congestion Pricing: Is it Time to Try it in San Francisco? - Streetsblog San Francisco
Congestion pricing has been an unqualified success in New York (and lots of other places). Why wouldn't it work here? That was the question on a recent episode of State of the Bay on KALW
sf.streetsblog.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Every time I'm around Market in downtown SF, I’m like what is this madness. People walking/biking/on transit must outweigh car riders 10-1. Such a no brainer.
More and more people are saying it: We need a Caltrans for trains!
"In California, we've really hollowed out our rail expertise," Blakespear said. "We don't have a Caltrans equivalent for rail, which would be great. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
"In California, we've really hollowed out our rail expertise," Blakespear said. "We don't have a Caltrans equivalent for rail, which would be great. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Rail advocates renew push for electric trains from San Diego to Los Angeles
Electric trains offer faster, quieter and cleaner service compared to diesel locomotives. But California's rail corridors continue to suffer from inaction.
www.kpbs.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:40 PM
More and more people are saying it: We need a Caltrans for trains!
"In California, we've really hollowed out our rail expertise," Blakespear said. "We don't have a Caltrans equivalent for rail, which would be great. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
"In California, we've really hollowed out our rail expertise," Blakespear said. "We don't have a Caltrans equivalent for rail, which would be great. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Claudette Colvin, whose 1955 arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus helped spark the modern civil rights movement, has died. She was 86.
Claudette Colvin, who refused to move seats on a bus at start of civil rights movement, dies at 86
Civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin has died. She was 86. Her 1955 arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus helped spark the modern civil rights movement.
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Claudette Colvin, whose 1955 arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus helped spark the modern civil rights movement, has died. She was 86.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
A Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor will be considered by the Metro Board's Planning Committee on Wednesday at 11am.
Webstream: boardagendas.metro.net/event/planni...
Blog post: wp.me/pfeql1-BX5
Webstream: boardagendas.metro.net/event/planni...
Blog post: wp.me/pfeql1-BX5
January 13, 2026 at 10:36 PM
A Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor will be considered by the Metro Board's Planning Committee on Wednesday at 11am.
Webstream: boardagendas.metro.net/event/planni...
Blog post: wp.me/pfeql1-BX5
Webstream: boardagendas.metro.net/event/planni...
Blog post: wp.me/pfeql1-BX5
Reposted by Carter Rubin
That first photo is a gut punch. A bunch of heavily armed goons too scared to show their faces bullying a scared kid with the full force of the federal government behind them.
A teenage boy was walking home in Minneapolis yesterday when four masked men jumped out of a van & questioned him - with no parent or guardian present.
He was bundled into the van & taken away.
Bystanders heard the boy say: “Can I just go home?”
I don’t know how America comes back from all this.
He was bundled into the van & taken away.
Bystanders heard the boy say: “Can I just go home?”
I don’t know how America comes back from all this.
January 13, 2026 at 7:15 PM
That first photo is a gut punch. A bunch of heavily armed goons too scared to show their faces bullying a scared kid with the full force of the federal government behind them.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
New York City motorists with a documented pattern of excessive speeding would be required to install speed-limiting devices inside their cars, Gov. Hochul is expected to announce today. empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the...
State of the State Exclusive: Hochul Will Push 'Stop Super Speeders' Bill Through Her Budget - Streetsblog Empire State
New York City motorists with a documented pattern of excessive speeding would be required to install speed-limiting devices inside their cars, Gov. Hochul is expected to announce today.
empire.streetsblog.org
January 13, 2026 at 2:42 PM
New York City motorists with a documented pattern of excessive speeding would be required to install speed-limiting devices inside their cars, Gov. Hochul is expected to announce today. empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the...
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Honestly, I’m incredibly impressed with the quality of recent development in Madison. The exterior architecture puts Los Angeles to shame.
January 13, 2026 at 6:24 AM
Honestly, I’m incredibly impressed with the quality of recent development in Madison. The exterior architecture puts Los Angeles to shame.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
seriously these results are a roadmap to demands for the upcoming budget battle: criminal liability if they break the law, no masks and mandatory IDs, no new funding and clawing back as much as last year’s funding as possible.
January 13, 2026 at 12:37 AM
seriously these results are a roadmap to demands for the upcoming budget battle: criminal liability if they break the law, no masks and mandatory IDs, no new funding and clawing back as much as last year’s funding as possible.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Crowdsource request: any examples of local bridges over the California State Highway system (Caltrans jurisdiction) that have been widened for bike/ped facilities (not full rebuilds and not bike/ped only facilities built parallel to or in conjunction with rebuilds). Think a cantilevered bikeway.
January 12, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Crowdsource request: any examples of local bridges over the California State Highway system (Caltrans jurisdiction) that have been widened for bike/ped facilities (not full rebuilds and not bike/ped only facilities built parallel to or in conjunction with rebuilds). Think a cantilevered bikeway.
The way we plan highway projects overlooks health. We can fix it. marylandmatters.org/2025/12/12/t...
The way we plan highway projects overlooks health. We can fix it. - Maryland Matters
Building more roads is one way to move people, but it's not the best, or healthiest, writes Megan Weil Latshaw, who says a focus on getting people to destinations safely and conveniently -- not just q...
marylandmatters.org
January 12, 2026 at 10:39 PM
The way we plan highway projects overlooks health. We can fix it. marylandmatters.org/2025/12/12/t...
Reposted by Carter Rubin
this is a very good sign
January 12, 2026 at 4:22 PM
this is a very good sign
Reposted by Carter Rubin
If any MN politicians want to see what’s really happening, they’re welcome to come ride along on my ICE patrol. They can watch 20 armed goons jump out of a racing convoy and abduct a random pedestrian, tear-gassing a half-dozen onlookers in the process, and then tell me how we need this agency
January 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM
If any MN politicians want to see what’s really happening, they’re welcome to come ride along on my ICE patrol. They can watch 20 armed goons jump out of a racing convoy and abduct a random pedestrian, tear-gassing a half-dozen onlookers in the process, and then tell me how we need this agency
Reposted by Carter Rubin
rare to see an american politician speak in these terms and it rocks
“When I speak about making our city more affordable, my vision is not limited to the homes that we live in or the child care that we’re making universal — it’s also a vision where we make it possible for working people to afford lives of joy, of art, of rest, of expression.”
Handing Out Free Tickets, Mamdani Says Theater Should Not Be ‘a Luxury’
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:48 AM
rare to see an american politician speak in these terms and it rocks
Reposted by Carter Rubin
We can restore judicial independence and address the ethical failures that are eroding trust in the Supreme Court.
Reasonable term limits would do both by lowering the political stakes of each nomination while remaining consistent with the Constitution.
Reasonable term limits would do both by lowering the political stakes of each nomination while remaining consistent with the Constitution.
January 10, 2026 at 4:46 AM
We can restore judicial independence and address the ethical failures that are eroding trust in the Supreme Court.
Reasonable term limits would do both by lowering the political stakes of each nomination while remaining consistent with the Constitution.
Reasonable term limits would do both by lowering the political stakes of each nomination while remaining consistent with the Constitution.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Thank you, Team CA DOJ, led by @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov
NEW: It took a federal judge less than 24 hours to shut down Trump’s politically motivated child care cuts in California.
January 10, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Thank you, Team CA DOJ, led by @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov
Reposted by Carter Rubin
Los Angeles' courtyard buildings vs. Berlin's courtyard buildings. Same scale
January 9, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Los Angeles' courtyard buildings vs. Berlin's courtyard buildings. Same scale
Fascist defense secretary should not be welcome at UCLA.
Hegseth had cameras recording him working out with recruits today at UCLA
January 9, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Fascist defense secretary should not be welcome at UCLA.
Reposted by Carter Rubin
I had lunch in Santa Monica & visited one of my very fave bike lanes on the West Coast
🚴♂️ 💚
The Ocean Ave protected cycletrack calms and quiets Palisades Park
🤫
Where diesel tourist coaches used to idle, folks glide along the park edge smiling 🙂
🚗 Traffic is now 24 feet inboard of the curb
🚴♂️ 💚
The Ocean Ave protected cycletrack calms and quiets Palisades Park
🤫
Where diesel tourist coaches used to idle, folks glide along the park edge smiling 🙂
🚗 Traffic is now 24 feet inboard of the curb
January 8, 2026 at 9:18 PM
I had lunch in Santa Monica & visited one of my very fave bike lanes on the West Coast
🚴♂️ 💚
The Ocean Ave protected cycletrack calms and quiets Palisades Park
🤫
Where diesel tourist coaches used to idle, folks glide along the park edge smiling 🙂
🚗 Traffic is now 24 feet inboard of the curb
🚴♂️ 💚
The Ocean Ave protected cycletrack calms and quiets Palisades Park
🤫
Where diesel tourist coaches used to idle, folks glide along the park edge smiling 🙂
🚗 Traffic is now 24 feet inboard of the curb
Reposted by Carter Rubin
The killing of an unarmed woman by a masked federal agent in Minneapolis is a moral outrage and a betrayal of American values. There has been no justification offered—only deception and deflection from those in charge.
January 7, 2026 at 9:47 PM
The killing of an unarmed woman by a masked federal agent in Minneapolis is a moral outrage and a betrayal of American values. There has been no justification offered—only deception and deflection from those in charge.
Some interesting details about @cahsra.bsky.social plans in this Fresno Bee piece:
- Bring in private investors to build and operate segments
- Borrow backstopped by the $1 billion/yr GGRF allocation
- Build tracks to Gilroy to integrate with Caltrain and create 1-steat-ride from SF to Bakersfield
- Bring in private investors to build and operate segments
- Borrow backstopped by the $1 billion/yr GGRF allocation
- Build tracks to Gilroy to integrate with Caltrain and create 1-steat-ride from SF to Bakersfield
January 7, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Some interesting details about @cahsra.bsky.social plans in this Fresno Bee piece:
- Bring in private investors to build and operate segments
- Borrow backstopped by the $1 billion/yr GGRF allocation
- Build tracks to Gilroy to integrate with Caltrain and create 1-steat-ride from SF to Bakersfield
- Bring in private investors to build and operate segments
- Borrow backstopped by the $1 billion/yr GGRF allocation
- Build tracks to Gilroy to integrate with Caltrain and create 1-steat-ride from SF to Bakersfield
Reposted by Carter Rubin
in the great tradition of turning every finding back to your prior views - I think this paper which highlights energy/time is a strong argument for the value of ebikes in decarbonizing transportation as they can increase the distance traveled over time with a very low energy use/time value
Your great-great-grandparents commuted about an hour a day. So did Roman merchants. So do you. No matter how fast we make transportation, people just live farther from work regardless of income. It's called Marchetti's constant, basically Jevons paradox for your morning commute.
January 7, 2026 at 7:34 PM
in the great tradition of turning every finding back to your prior views - I think this paper which highlights energy/time is a strong argument for the value of ebikes in decarbonizing transportation as they can increase the distance traveled over time with a very low energy use/time value
Reposted by Carter Rubin
ICE just killed a legal observer—allegedly blocking her from medical care and letting her die.
This is horrifying. ICE is a rogue agency incapable of reform. Minneapolis Mayor Frey is calling for ICE to vacate the city and I echo that call.
This is horrifying. ICE is a rogue agency incapable of reform. Minneapolis Mayor Frey is calling for ICE to vacate the city and I echo that call.
January 7, 2026 at 6:35 PM
ICE just killed a legal observer—allegedly blocking her from medical care and letting her die.
This is horrifying. ICE is a rogue agency incapable of reform. Minneapolis Mayor Frey is calling for ICE to vacate the city and I echo that call.
This is horrifying. ICE is a rogue agency incapable of reform. Minneapolis Mayor Frey is calling for ICE to vacate the city and I echo that call.