Ronit Aviva Dancis
@ronitadancis.bsky.social
Trains, 🚍, cities, plazas, ☕️, beer, bikes, 🛴 walking. (She / her )
Join me & @lohplaces.bsky.social in supporting #transit champion Robbyn Lewis this Saturday in Bethesda!
🚎Red Line advocate, 🚲Maryland's first car-free legislator & now chair of the Land Use subcommittee
Rsvp via this link secure.actblue.com/donate/lewis...
🚎Red Line advocate, 🚲Maryland's first car-free legislator & now chair of the Land Use subcommittee
Rsvp via this link secure.actblue.com/donate/lewis...
Donate to Robbyn Lewis
Show your support with a contribution.
secure.actblue.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Join me & @lohplaces.bsky.social in supporting #transit champion Robbyn Lewis this Saturday in Bethesda!
🚎Red Line advocate, 🚲Maryland's first car-free legislator & now chair of the Land Use subcommittee
Rsvp via this link secure.actblue.com/donate/lewis...
🚎Red Line advocate, 🚲Maryland's first car-free legislator & now chair of the Land Use subcommittee
Rsvp via this link secure.actblue.com/donate/lewis...
Incredible - balcony solar, for owners or tenants, is ready to go. The tech is there; all that's missing is the legislation.
Delighted to to learn Maryland is one of the states queuing up laws that would make it possible for anyone to pop down to Costco or Ikea, buy a panel and plug it in.
Delighted to to learn Maryland is one of the states queuing up laws that would make it possible for anyone to pop down to Costco or Ikea, buy a panel and plug it in.
Today on Volts: I've had more requests to cover this than almost any other topic in the pod's history, so now, at long last, balcony solar! We dig into how "plug-in solar" took off in Europe & how it's making its way to the US, starting in Utah. Backyard DIY types rejoice!
What's the deal with balcony solar?
Cora Stryker joins me to explain how "plug-in" solar took Europe by storm and is finally, via Utah (?), making its way to America.
www.volts.wtf
December 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Incredible - balcony solar, for owners or tenants, is ready to go. The tech is there; all that's missing is the legislation.
Delighted to to learn Maryland is one of the states queuing up laws that would make it possible for anyone to pop down to Costco or Ikea, buy a panel and plug it in.
Delighted to to learn Maryland is one of the states queuing up laws that would make it possible for anyone to pop down to Costco or Ikea, buy a panel and plug it in.
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
Effects of downzoning are striking:
—Neighborhoods downzoned from 1970–90 gained only 65 housing units on average between 1990–2010, compared to non-downzoned tracts, which gained 470 units on average—7x as much.
—Downzoned areas ended up with higher white population shares & higher housing costs.
—Neighborhoods downzoned from 1970–90 gained only 65 housing units on average between 1990–2010, compared to non-downzoned tracts, which gained 470 units on average—7x as much.
—Downzoned areas ended up with higher white population shares & higher housing costs.
December 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Effects of downzoning are striking:
—Neighborhoods downzoned from 1970–90 gained only 65 housing units on average between 1990–2010, compared to non-downzoned tracts, which gained 470 units on average—7x as much.
—Downzoned areas ended up with higher white population shares & higher housing costs.
—Neighborhoods downzoned from 1970–90 gained only 65 housing units on average between 1990–2010, compared to non-downzoned tracts, which gained 470 units on average—7x as much.
—Downzoned areas ended up with higher white population shares & higher housing costs.
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
Downzoning was used by cities around the world to preserve neighborhood aesthetics & protect property values.
New evidence from Chicago in @findingspress.org ⏬ shows downzoning's effects over several decades:
—Massive drop in housing construction
—Higher home prices
—Increased racial segregation
New evidence from Chicago in @findingspress.org ⏬ shows downzoning's effects over several decades:
—Massive drop in housing construction
—Higher home prices
—Increased racial segregation
Downzoning Chicago: How Local Land Use Policy Has Reduced Housing Construction and Reinforced Segregation | Published in Findings
By Yonah Freemark, George Kisiel. Downzonings were used by US cities in the postwar period to preserve neighborhood character. These land-use policies were associated with lower housing supply, higher...
findingspress.org
December 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Downzoning was used by cities around the world to preserve neighborhood aesthetics & protect property values.
New evidence from Chicago in @findingspress.org ⏬ shows downzoning's effects over several decades:
—Massive drop in housing construction
—Higher home prices
—Increased racial segregation
New evidence from Chicago in @findingspress.org ⏬ shows downzoning's effects over several decades:
—Massive drop in housing construction
—Higher home prices
—Increased racial segregation
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
A reminder that cars aren’t a technology problem. They’re a geometry problem.
Waymo privatized another public street:
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
November 25, 2025 at 4:16 AM
A reminder that cars aren’t a technology problem. They’re a geometry problem.
If you build it (protected bike lanes), they will bike it.
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
If you build it (protected bike lanes), they will bike it.
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
As someone who (barely) made it through the eastern Red Line shutdown in summer 2018, I am here to tell you:
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
Bethesda, Medical Center, & Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro stations will be closed in July & August 2026.
Tell your Maryland legislators we need bus-only lanes so the Metro shuttle buses don't get stuck in traffic!
actionbutton.nationbuilder.com/share/SPK-QE...
Tell your Maryland legislators we need bus-only lanes so the Metro shuttle buses don't get stuck in traffic!
actionbutton.nationbuilder.com/share/SPK-QE...
November 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
As someone who (barely) made it through the eastern Red Line shutdown in summer 2018, I am here to tell you:
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
BUS-ONLY LANES for Metro Shuttle Buses
Evergreen, sadly.
this is very much a story you can tell was written by a political reporter, not a science and health reporter.
November 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Evergreen, sadly.
"The Zoning Code claims to protect public health, safety, and welfare, but that justification evaporates when applied to density restrictions and bans on multi-family housing. True public health standards should not vary by neighborhood."
Go read this banger. #urbanism
Go read this banger. #urbanism
"Why I lost faith in zoning." tinyurl.com/5n8sh428 Baltimore’s former zoning board executive director, on why she supports @mayorbmscott.bsky.social bills to promote more density and multi-family housing in the city. [OP-ED]
Baltimore’s former zoning board director explains why she lost faith in zoning | Baltimore Brew
The mayor’s “Housing Options and Opportunity” legislation – including Bill 25-0066 – will go a long way toward fixing an unfair system. [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM
"The Zoning Code claims to protect public health, safety, and welfare, but that justification evaporates when applied to density restrictions and bans on multi-family housing. True public health standards should not vary by neighborhood."
Go read this banger. #urbanism
Go read this banger. #urbanism
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
" If you know someone who has been detained and released by ICE, our REBUILD Program provides FREE therapy to help them regain stability and support." www.darknessrisingproject.org/help-me-find...
REBUILD - Darkness Rising Project
Need help finding a Black therapist? We can help.
www.darknessrisingproject.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:32 PM
" If you know someone who has been detained and released by ICE, our REBUILD Program provides FREE therapy to help them regain stability and support." www.darknessrisingproject.org/help-me-find...
10,000,000 people need to be relocated bc of the #climatecrisis.
#transit & #landuse bc the #climateemergency is now
#transit & #landuse bc the #climateemergency is now
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:47 PM
10,000,000 people need to be relocated bc of the #climatecrisis.
#transit & #landuse bc the #climateemergency is now
#transit & #landuse bc the #climateemergency is now
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
The title of this photo is
"A Person Crossing From The Bus Stop To The Outlet Mall,
Where There Is A 🚷 Sign,
Because A Project Engineer Couldn't Make A High-Speed Multi-Lane Roundabout Safe For Pedestrians,
And The Outlet Mall Said NO To A Bus Stop."
"A Person Crossing From The Bus Stop To The Outlet Mall,
Where There Is A 🚷 Sign,
Because A Project Engineer Couldn't Make A High-Speed Multi-Lane Roundabout Safe For Pedestrians,
And The Outlet Mall Said NO To A Bus Stop."
November 21, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The title of this photo is
"A Person Crossing From The Bus Stop To The Outlet Mall,
Where There Is A 🚷 Sign,
Because A Project Engineer Couldn't Make A High-Speed Multi-Lane Roundabout Safe For Pedestrians,
And The Outlet Mall Said NO To A Bus Stop."
"A Person Crossing From The Bus Stop To The Outlet Mall,
Where There Is A 🚷 Sign,
Because A Project Engineer Couldn't Make A High-Speed Multi-Lane Roundabout Safe For Pedestrians,
And The Outlet Mall Said NO To A Bus Stop."
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
Congratulations to MLK MS phys ed teacher John Glodek, the SHAPE MD MS Phys Ed Teacher of the Year!
His "Riding for Focus cycling program...brings structured cycling into the school day, giving students the chance to build functional skills, confidence, & community."💜
mocoshow.com/2025/11/20/m...
His "Riding for Focus cycling program...brings structured cycling into the school day, giving students the chance to build functional skills, confidence, & community."💜
mocoshow.com/2025/11/20/m...
MLK Middle School’s John Glodek Named SHAPE Maryland’s Middle School Physical Educator of the Year - The MoCo Show
Montgomery County Government recently shared on social media that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School’s own John Glodek has been named Middle School Physical Educator of the Year by […]
mocoshow.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Congratulations to MLK MS phys ed teacher John Glodek, the SHAPE MD MS Phys Ed Teacher of the Year!
His "Riding for Focus cycling program...brings structured cycling into the school day, giving students the chance to build functional skills, confidence, & community."💜
mocoshow.com/2025/11/20/m...
His "Riding for Focus cycling program...brings structured cycling into the school day, giving students the chance to build functional skills, confidence, & community."💜
mocoshow.com/2025/11/20/m...
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
What do we want? THE PURPLE LINE!
When do we want it? ON SCHEDULE BY THE END OF 2027, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR IT SINCE 1986!
When do we want it? ON SCHEDULE BY THE END OF 2027, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR IT SINCE 1986!
28 of 28! All 28 Light Rail Vehicles have arrived in Maryland; a major milestone for the Purple Line. This vital connection will knit communities, ease commutes, promote public transit and link riders to 21 stations and key destinations across the corridor. #PurpleLineprogress
November 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
What do we want? THE PURPLE LINE!
When do we want it? ON SCHEDULE BY THE END OF 2027, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR IT SINCE 1986!
When do we want it? ON SCHEDULE BY THE END OF 2027, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR IT SINCE 1986!
I'm a really slow rider and there are absolutely places in KC where I have to switch to sidewalks because people in cars will behave in very, very unsafe ways around me. there's no winning when there are no cycling lanes: i'm either slowing down traffic or i'm scaring pedestrians.
A cyclist on a sidewalk is usually a symptom of bad infrastructure.
As I often say, cyclist vs. pedestrian conflicts arise because both are fighting over the scraps of space not occupied by cars. But what if we took that space from cars to make biking, walking, and rolling safer?
As I often say, cyclist vs. pedestrian conflicts arise because both are fighting over the scraps of space not occupied by cars. But what if we took that space from cars to make biking, walking, and rolling safer?
November 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
Every sidewalk bicyclist is a vote for safe and protected bike lanes.
my hot take as a full-time pedestrian and transit rider is that i want cities to do the absolute maximum amount to provide cyclists with safe and protected bike lanes everywhere so that i don't have to feel the least bit bad for kicking one off the sidewalk into the street
And before you say anything about Just Do More Public Transit, make your neighbors less fucking neurotic about funding and designing roads for public transit
Replace bike lane flex posts with bollards!
Replace bike lane flex posts with bollards!
November 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Every sidewalk bicyclist is a vote for safe and protected bike lanes.
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
If we're not going to change vehicles, there's an easy solution for this problem: Red lights for all vehicles when pedestrians have a Walk signal. They do this in London.
No vehicle should be moving through an intersection when pedestrians are crossing.
November 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
If we're not going to change vehicles, there's an easy solution for this problem: Red lights for all vehicles when pedestrians have a Walk signal. They do this in London.
Thanks to Barbara Castle we put in place really important road safety measures that now seem like common-sense such as 70MPH speed limit, breathalyser tests, mandatory seatbelts, a register for driving instructors and a strong drink limit!
November 19, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE
Now I have a picture. Rail being laid in the Bethesda Purple Line station.
November 19, 2025 at 3:49 AM
PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE PURPLE LINE
Imagine if you had to wait up to 30 minutes before starting your car.
Each and every time you got into your car.
Each and every time you got into your car.
Or is it maximum 30-minute headways?
Either way, nobody should have to wait more than 30 minutes for the next @rideonmct.bsky.social bus.
Either way, nobody should have to wait more than 30 minutes for the next @rideonmct.bsky.social bus.
Our funding priorities:
1. run express buses in bus-only lanes *now* on planned BRT routes
2. run minimum 30-minute headways for all bus routes, plus relief buses
3. build the Purple Line sidewalks (no homeowner veto due to 'stranger danger')
4. fund mid-day Brunswick Line MARC service
1. run express buses in bus-only lanes *now* on planned BRT routes
2. run minimum 30-minute headways for all bus routes, plus relief buses
3. build the Purple Line sidewalks (no homeowner veto due to 'stranger danger')
4. fund mid-day Brunswick Line MARC service
November 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Imagine if you had to wait up to 30 minutes before starting your car.
Each and every time you got into your car.
Each and every time you got into your car.
If you're unfamiliar with Northern Virginia, this looks like a large employer just swapping one #TOD location for another. Which is true, but there's more to it than that.
www.ffxnow.com/2025/11/17/n...
1/x
www.ffxnow.com/2025/11/17/n...
1/x
NEW: Booz Allen Hamilton plans HQ move from Tysons to Reston | FFXnow
The mystery tenant who sought a pedestrian bridge to connect developer Comstock Companies' new Reston Row office buildings has been revealed. Federal contractor Booz Allen Hamilton announced today (Mo...
www.ffxnow.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:21 PM
If you're unfamiliar with Northern Virginia, this looks like a large employer just swapping one #TOD location for another. Which is true, but there's more to it than that.
www.ffxnow.com/2025/11/17/n...
1/x
www.ffxnow.com/2025/11/17/n...
1/x
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
Popularity of Cars Raises Safety Concerns
Cars are very popular, but safety concerns go alongside their use.
Accidents involving cars are increasing, and many roads are not designed for safety. “There are a lot of unsafe roadways,” said one driver.
wnyt.com/top-stories/...
Cars are very popular, but safety concerns go alongside their use.
Accidents involving cars are increasing, and many roads are not designed for safety. “There are a lot of unsafe roadways,” said one driver.
wnyt.com/top-stories/...
13Investigates: E-Bike safety
Electric bikes are becoming more popular, but safety concerns are rising alongside their use.Accidents involving e-bikes are increasing, and many roads in the Capital Region are not designed for them....
wnyt.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Popularity of Cars Raises Safety Concerns
Cars are very popular, but safety concerns go alongside their use.
Accidents involving cars are increasing, and many roads are not designed for safety. “There are a lot of unsafe roadways,” said one driver.
wnyt.com/top-stories/...
Cars are very popular, but safety concerns go alongside their use.
Accidents involving cars are increasing, and many roads are not designed for safety. “There are a lot of unsafe roadways,” said one driver.
wnyt.com/top-stories/...
Reposted by Ronit Aviva Dancis
Suffice it to say, this proposal would be the opposite of what is needed for US transportation policy.
Federal transportation spending has been ineffective, inefficient, and bad for the environment. The Trump proposal would worsen those problems.
US needs a complete rethink of transport policies ⬇️
Federal transportation spending has been ineffective, inefficient, and bad for the environment. The Trump proposal would worsen those problems.
US needs a complete rethink of transport policies ⬇️
The Reauthorization of Federal Transportation Programs Offers Policymakers an Opportunity to Improve Effectiveness, Environmental Sustainability, and Access
Federal policymakers should consider three strategies to guide deliberations around reauthorization and improvement of Americans’ quality of life.
www.urban.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Suffice it to say, this proposal would be the opposite of what is needed for US transportation policy.
Federal transportation spending has been ineffective, inefficient, and bad for the environment. The Trump proposal would worsen those problems.
US needs a complete rethink of transport policies ⬇️
Federal transportation spending has been ineffective, inefficient, and bad for the environment. The Trump proposal would worsen those problems.
US needs a complete rethink of transport policies ⬇️