David Bickford
@exit2lef.bsky.social
Urban advocate, slow cyclist, desert hiker, and amateur epicurean.
Author, PHX Rail Food
https://phxrailfood.com
President, Phoenix Spokes People
https://phoenixspokespeople.org
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Personal account for personal opinions.
Author, PHX Rail Food
https://phxrailfood.com
President, Phoenix Spokes People
https://phoenixspokespeople.org
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Personal account for personal opinions.
Yet more public meetings on light rail to the west side of #Phoenix. My take: The train should absolutely go to the AZ state capitol. Going farther west via I-10, however, doesn't make sense. Instead, use a route via Thomas and/or Indian School to serve Maryvale.
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Yet more public meetings on light rail to the west side of #Phoenix. My take: The train should absolutely go to the AZ state capitol. Going farther west via I-10, however, doesn't make sense. Instead, use a route via Thomas and/or Indian School to serve Maryvale.
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
Despite lamenting what Jeff Bezos has done to the editorial board and opinion page at his newspaper, I still subscribe to The Washington Post. For anyone who wants to read it, here's a gift link to yesterday's article on the struggle to implement Vision Zero in the United States: wapo.st/4pmTbIp
America’s plan to protect pedestrians failed. A young woman’s death reveals why.
U.S. officials adopted Europe's Vision Zero initiative, but many cities have seen an increase in pedestrian fatalities despite efforts to improve road safety.
wapo.st
December 5, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Despite lamenting what Jeff Bezos has done to the editorial board and opinion page at his newspaper, I still subscribe to The Washington Post. For anyone who wants to read it, here's a gift link to yesterday's article on the struggle to implement Vision Zero in the United States: wapo.st/4pmTbIp
Dismayed to learn that the longstanding and dependable Thai Lotus on 19th Avenue is being forced to relocate or close so that the landlord can build a McDonald’s drive-thru at the site. Not only does this endanger a small business, but it’s also anti-pedestrian development near light rail. #Phoenix
November 29, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Dismayed to learn that the longstanding and dependable Thai Lotus on 19th Avenue is being forced to relocate or close so that the landlord can build a McDonald’s drive-thru at the site. Not only does this endanger a small business, but it’s also anti-pedestrian development near light rail. #Phoenix
Over the weekend, a red light runner struck another car, killing two people and damaging the Baseline/Central light rail station in South #Phoenix. This tragic situation is being made even worse by local media running false headlines that imply to the casual reader that a train was somehow involved.
November 24, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Over the weekend, a red light runner struck another car, killing two people and damaging the Baseline/Central light rail station in South #Phoenix. This tragic situation is being made even worse by local media running false headlines that imply to the casual reader that a train was somehow involved.
Light rail to west #Phoenix is being reconsidered yet again. A line to the AZ state capitol should absolutely happen, no matter how much the legislature resists. I-10, on the other hand, has never been a good route. Thomas or Indian School would be far better.
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Light rail to west #Phoenix is being reconsidered yet again. A line to the AZ state capitol should absolutely happen, no matter how much the legislature resists. I-10, on the other hand, has never been a good route. Thomas or Indian School would be far better.
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
www.valleymetro.org/project/capi...
Know anyone who’s scared of public transportation? If you want to give them nightmares, show them this scary train at Spirit Halloween right by the real train at 19th Ave / Camelback in #phoenix.
It’s a pretty impressive display, more so than I’d expect for a store open only a few months a year.
It’s a pretty impressive display, more so than I’d expect for a store open only a few months a year.
October 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Know anyone who’s scared of public transportation? If you want to give them nightmares, show them this scary train at Spirit Halloween right by the real train at 19th Ave / Camelback in #phoenix.
It’s a pretty impressive display, more so than I’d expect for a store open only a few months a year.
It’s a pretty impressive display, more so than I’d expect for a store open only a few months a year.
Highlights of the weekend:
Thoroughly good: Watching the Mercury win the WNBA semifinals before enjoying a good dinner at Obon's new location in downtown #Phoenix
Bittersweet: Enjoying one last visit to the Gilbert Farmers Market before its unfortunate relocation to a giant parking lot in Chandler
Thoroughly good: Watching the Mercury win the WNBA semifinals before enjoying a good dinner at Obon's new location in downtown #Phoenix
Bittersweet: Enjoying one last visit to the Gilbert Farmers Market before its unfortunate relocation to a giant parking lot in Chandler
September 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Highlights of the weekend:
Thoroughly good: Watching the Mercury win the WNBA semifinals before enjoying a good dinner at Obon's new location in downtown #Phoenix
Bittersweet: Enjoying one last visit to the Gilbert Farmers Market before its unfortunate relocation to a giant parking lot in Chandler
Thoroughly good: Watching the Mercury win the WNBA semifinals before enjoying a good dinner at Obon's new location in downtown #Phoenix
Bittersweet: Enjoying one last visit to the Gilbert Farmers Market before its unfortunate relocation to a giant parking lot in Chandler
This is disappointing but not surprising. It seemed obvious that the vote by the #phoenix city council to conduct yet another study of the 7s was just a tactic to avoid action and maintain the status quo indefinitely. www.azfamily.com/2025/09/17/c...
City of Phoenix still without contractor for reverse lane study
Business owners are frustrated as the city of Phoenix promised a new reverse lane study, but no progress has been made.
www.azfamily.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
This is disappointing but not surprising. It seemed obvious that the vote by the #phoenix city council to conduct yet another study of the 7s was just a tactic to avoid action and maintain the status quo indefinitely. www.azfamily.com/2025/09/17/c...
I was never a big fan of the old Monti’s restaurant, but I share Michael’s nostalgia for the Mill Avenue of decades past. High-end places are fine, but a business district so close to a university campus needs the type of places that have left in recent years. www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/...
Once a party-school mecca, Mill Ave. wants to be your parents' dining destination
Tempe's college party district is moving on up, trading dive bars for high-end eateries. Will it leave students in the dust?
www.phoenixnewtimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I was never a big fan of the old Monti’s restaurant, but I share Michael’s nostalgia for the Mill Avenue of decades past. High-end places are fine, but a business district so close to a university campus needs the type of places that have left in recent years. www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/...
Watching the city council debate whether to rehire the retired former city manager is once again reinforcing my belief that #Phoenix has outgrown its weak mayor / city manager model of government. A revolving door of appointees, no matter how dedicated, prevents the bold changes needed for the city.
September 17, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Watching the city council debate whether to rehire the retired former city manager is once again reinforcing my belief that #Phoenix has outgrown its weak mayor / city manager model of government. A revolving door of appointees, no matter how dedicated, prevents the bold changes needed for the city.
If Sean Duffy were serious about transit safety, he might tie funding to crime statistics or earmark grant money for security improvements. Both could be reasonable if implemented properly. Instead, he is using crime to pursue a culture war agenda against transit. usa.streetsblog.org/2025/09/09/w...
White House Threatens Transit Cuts After Murder on N.C. Train — Streetsblog USA
A top White House official signaled he'd capitalize on a recent murder on a Charlotte, N.C. train to cut funding to transit systems across the country.
usa.streetsblog.org
September 11, 2025 at 12:01 AM
If Sean Duffy were serious about transit safety, he might tie funding to crime statistics or earmark grant money for security improvements. Both could be reasonable if implemented properly. Instead, he is using crime to pursue a culture war agenda against transit. usa.streetsblog.org/2025/09/09/w...
Despite the cringe-inducing phrase "avid cyclist" in the first sentence, this is an insightful article about the vicious cycle that car dependency has created for our children. I'm fortunate mine were able to walk safely to our local elementary school, but many are not so fortunate.
wapo.st/41r8xSn
wapo.st/41r8xSn
Kids need freedom. Dangerous roads make it hard to grant it.
Bigger cars, distracted drivers and worried parents mean fewer kids are roaming freely.
wapo.st
August 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Despite the cringe-inducing phrase "avid cyclist" in the first sentence, this is an insightful article about the vicious cycle that car dependency has created for our children. I'm fortunate mine were able to walk safely to our local elementary school, but many are not so fortunate.
wapo.st/41r8xSn
wapo.st/41r8xSn
It's unfortunate that historic homes and businesses are in jeopardy due to the proposed light rail extension to the Arizona State Capitol. This dilemma exists only because former Governor Ducey and legislative Republicans forced a change in the planned route.
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/histori...
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/histori...
New light rail line could raze historic Phoenix homes, residents fear
Woodland Historic District residents say five houses would go if Valley Metro picks an extension route through the area.
www.phoenixnewtimes.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:18 PM
It's unfortunate that historic homes and businesses are in jeopardy due to the proposed light rail extension to the Arizona State Capitol. This dilemma exists only because former Governor Ducey and legislative Republicans forced a change in the planned route.
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/histori...
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/histori...
Interesting perspective on the new light rail extension in South #Phoenix. Mostly positive with some valid criticism that raises a dilemma: One of the best ways to add shade is to allow multi-story development, but that feeds fears of gentrification and displacement. www.calonews.com/arizona/we-t...
We took a trip on the new light rail to south Phoenix with Chispa. Here’s what we learned
Community members attended an educational ride-along with Chispa Arizona.
www.calonews.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Interesting perspective on the new light rail extension in South #Phoenix. Mostly positive with some valid criticism that raises a dilemma: One of the best ways to add shade is to allow multi-story development, but that feeds fears of gentrification and displacement. www.calonews.com/arizona/we-t...
Would it be too much to ask for more restaurants to serve portions halfway between the Olive Garden and Ozempic? Maybe a quarter-pound burger (a big deal when McDonald's introduced its version in the '70s) instead of a half-pound monstrosity or a two-ounce slider?
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/d...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/d...
Ozempic Is Shrinking Appetites. Restaurants Are Shrinking the Food.
www.nytimes.com
August 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Would it be too much to ask for more restaurants to serve portions halfway between the Olive Garden and Ozempic? Maybe a quarter-pound burger (a big deal when McDonald's introduced its version in the '70s) instead of a half-pound monstrosity or a two-ounce slider?
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/d...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/d...
This ruling concerns a specific project in the small town of Page near the Utah border, but there could be a statewide impact in terms of votes to second guess local government decisions. I can only hope that voters will support safer, more productive streets. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2025/08...
Arizona Supreme Court ruling gives residents more power to block local projects | Arizona Capitol Times
A small town fight in the Arizona Supreme Court has led to a new ruling making it easier for residents across the state to block locally approved projects.
azcapitoltimes.com
August 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
This ruling concerns a specific project in the small town of Page near the Utah border, but there could be a statewide impact in terms of votes to second guess local government decisions. I can only hope that voters will support safer, more productive streets. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2025/08...
Added problem: The toxic byproduct of school choice is the school commute, countless miles of additional driving because children are being chauffeured to distant schools instead of walking, biking, or riding buses. It's the first week of school, and traffic is already much heavier. wapo.st/45zmkbE
Public schools are closing as Arizona’s school voucher program soars
Arizona, with a marketplace of school options and universal vouchers, offers a window into the GOP vision for K-12 education
wapo.st
August 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Added problem: The toxic byproduct of school choice is the school commute, countless miles of additional driving because children are being chauffeured to distant schools instead of walking, biking, or riding buses. It's the first week of school, and traffic is already much heavier. wapo.st/45zmkbE
I’ve never been a fan of Gilbert due to its anti-urban, anti-transit politics, but the town’s small walkable core has always been nice to visit. Moving the Gilbert Farmers Market out of that area is a mistake. The new location isn’t really walkable or bikeable from anywhere. ktar.com/arizona-busi...
Gilbert Farmers Market is moving out of Gilbert
The Gilbert Farmers Market is moving to Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler later this year. Here's why.
ktar.com
August 5, 2025 at 4:26 AM
I’ve never been a fan of Gilbert due to its anti-urban, anti-transit politics, but the town’s small walkable core has always been nice to visit. Moving the Gilbert Farmers Market out of that area is a mistake. The new location isn’t really walkable or bikeable from anywhere. ktar.com/arizona-busi...
I visited Legoland at Arizona Mills yesterday. They have Lego versions of local landmarks, including this group of bicyclists pedaling by Chase Field on 3rd St. I wonder if someone at Lego is trying to shame #Phoenix into making the proposed 3rd St. bikeway happen by manifesting the plan in bricks.
August 3, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I visited Legoland at Arizona Mills yesterday. They have Lego versions of local landmarks, including this group of bicyclists pedaling by Chase Field on 3rd St. I wonder if someone at Lego is trying to shame #Phoenix into making the proposed 3rd St. bikeway happen by manifesting the plan in bricks.
Riding the 0 bus from Sunnyslope to downtown #Phoenix for the first time since yesterday’s service changes. Nice to have it merged with the former 0A route in south Phoenix and operating with 15-minute headways. Both are good follow-ups to the June opening of the South Central light rail extension.
July 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Riding the 0 bus from Sunnyslope to downtown #Phoenix for the first time since yesterday’s service changes. Nice to have it merged with the former 0A route in south Phoenix and operating with 15-minute headways. Both are good follow-ups to the June opening of the South Central light rail extension.
Returning to Phoenix after a long weekend in Prescott yesterday, I tried the new flex lanes on I-17. With signs and gates, they appear to manage asymmetric traffic effectively. They are much better than the reverse lanes on the 7s, which try unsuccessfully to apply a highway concept to city streets.
July 28, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Returning to Phoenix after a long weekend in Prescott yesterday, I tried the new flex lanes on I-17. With signs and gates, they appear to manage asymmetric traffic effectively. They are much better than the reverse lanes on the 7s, which try unsuccessfully to apply a highway concept to city streets.
With incumbent Laura Pastor now in her third and final term on the #Phoenix City Council. I am pleased to support Ed Hermes’ campaign to become her successor in District 4. Ed’s been a consistent advocate for strong schools, safer streets, and multimodal transport. www.edhermes.com
Ed Hermes for Phoenix - Council District 4
Ed Hermes is a father, husband, member of the Osborn Elementary School District Governing board, lawyer, and community activist. Ed is running for Phoenix City Council because he has a passion for our...
www.edhermes.com
July 22, 2025 at 11:02 AM
With incumbent Laura Pastor now in her third and final term on the #Phoenix City Council. I am pleased to support Ed Hermes’ campaign to become her successor in District 4. Ed’s been a consistent advocate for strong schools, safer streets, and multimodal transport. www.edhermes.com
I took the first southbound train from the Downtown #Phoenix Hub to Baseline Road on June 7. Nice to see this video from the perspective of the first northbound train departing at the same time.
Last month was the start of a new era for public transportation in the city of Phoenix! New video out now!
youtu.be/fg_c5TIloyo?...
youtu.be/fg_c5TIloyo?...
July 18, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I took the first southbound train from the Downtown #Phoenix Hub to Baseline Road on June 7. Nice to see this video from the perspective of the first northbound train departing at the same time.
Disappointed to learn that the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Bus will cease operations soon after nearly a century of service. An international public transit route linking two countries via city bus is a rarity that I’ve found useful when visiting the region. windsorstar.com/news/local-n...
Amid Trump tariff war, Windsor eyes Aug. 31 as end date for tunnel bus to Detroit
Windsor eyes Aug. 31 as end date for tunnel bus to Detroit. Cross-border public transit has been part of the tunnel since 1930.
windsorstar.com
July 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Disappointed to learn that the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Bus will cease operations soon after nearly a century of service. An international public transit route linking two countries via city bus is a rarity that I’ve found useful when visiting the region. windsorstar.com/news/local-n...
The wait on my bicycle to cross 16th Street seemed way too long this morning until I noticed this chalk writing next to me on the sidewalk.
June 24, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The wait on my bicycle to cross 16th Street seemed way too long this morning until I noticed this chalk writing next to me on the sidewalk.