Scott
@scottistvan.com
Bike/ped/transit activism. Improv Comedy. Software. Running for City Council in Somerville, MA. He/him.
See also @[email protected] on mastodon; Bridged here for convenience: @scottsthoughts.better.boston.ap.brid.gy
See also @[email protected] on mastodon; Bridged here for convenience: @scottsthoughts.better.boston.ap.brid.gy
Pinned
Scott
@scottistvan.com
· Dec 31
Because I don't think I've mentioned it on here: Hey! I'm running for #Somerville City Council! Still in the very early stages of setting up my campaign, but if you know me, you know I'm a transportation, infrastructure, and zoning nerd. Follow along here or on Mastodon for more!
I am thrilled that the Somerville City Council race has so many excellent candidates in it who I would be thrilled to work with. That said, I am particularly excited about @jonlink.bsky.social and would encourage anyone who votes for me to also vote for him.
October 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I am thrilled that the Somerville City Council race has so many excellent candidates in it who I would be thrilled to work with. That said, I am particularly excited about @jonlink.bsky.social and would encourage anyone who votes for me to also vote for him.
Hey @cityofsomerville.bsky.social whats up with these gates that appeared at the new Ken Kelly park? The one blocking the ramp seems to make the park completely inaccessible to wheel chair users, and they block a good portion of the sidewalk when open.
September 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Hey @cityofsomerville.bsky.social whats up with these gates that appeared at the new Ken Kelly park? The one blocking the ramp seems to make the park completely inaccessible to wheel chair users, and they block a good portion of the sidewalk when open.
Reposted by Scott
Trans rights are not the rights of a tiny minority, trans rights are everyone’s rights to self-determination, control of our bodies, and a society where opportunity and aesthetics are not restricted by sex assigned at birth
You should support and defend trans people because trans people are people
You should support and defend trans people because trans people are people
September 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Trans rights are not the rights of a tiny minority, trans rights are everyone’s rights to self-determination, control of our bodies, and a society where opportunity and aesthetics are not restricted by sex assigned at birth
You should support and defend trans people because trans people are people
You should support and defend trans people because trans people are people
Reposted by Scott
Obviously I talk a lot about bike/ped safety.
But something that is really crazy is how much less safe you *in a car* since 2010.
In spite of all the additional safety technology, vehicle occupants are less safe today than they were 15 years ago.
But something that is really crazy is how much less safe you *in a car* since 2010.
In spite of all the additional safety technology, vehicle occupants are less safe today than they were 15 years ago.
September 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Obviously I talk a lot about bike/ped safety.
But something that is really crazy is how much less safe you *in a car* since 2010.
In spite of all the additional safety technology, vehicle occupants are less safe today than they were 15 years ago.
But something that is really crazy is how much less safe you *in a car* since 2010.
In spite of all the additional safety technology, vehicle occupants are less safe today than they were 15 years ago.
Reposted by Scott
MA elections should not be held on September 1, by far the biggest moving day in the state, because it makes it harder for renters to vote.
www.wwlp.com/news/massach...
www.wwlp.com/news/massach...
www.wwlp.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:14 PM
MA elections should not be held on September 1, by far the biggest moving day in the state, because it makes it harder for renters to vote.
www.wwlp.com/news/massach...
www.wwlp.com/news/massach...
I thought the right liked comedy and hated cancel culture
(...as if pointing out their hypocrisy ever caused them to have an ounce of introspection.)
(...as if pointing out their hypocrisy ever caused them to have an ounce of introspection.)
Kimmel has been canceled. Colbert. Now Kimmel. The people who “care” about freedom of speech really hate it when it’s used to criticize them. (Y’know, what it was designed for? To criticize power.) This is fascism. When media is silenced by scared dictators, we might as well burn the 1st amendment.
September 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I thought the right liked comedy and hated cancel culture
(...as if pointing out their hypocrisy ever caused them to have an ounce of introspection.)
(...as if pointing out their hypocrisy ever caused them to have an ounce of introspection.)
Reposted by Scott
A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the President doesn’t like what they say.
This is an attack on free speech and cannot be allowed to stand.
All elected officials need to speak up and push back on this undemocratic act.
This is an attack on free speech and cannot be allowed to stand.
All elected officials need to speak up and push back on this undemocratic act.
September 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM
A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the President doesn’t like what they say.
This is an attack on free speech and cannot be allowed to stand.
All elected officials need to speak up and push back on this undemocratic act.
This is an attack on free speech and cannot be allowed to stand.
All elected officials need to speak up and push back on this undemocratic act.
Reposted by Scott
This morning, masked and menacing Homeland Security agents abducted one of my East Somerville constituents. Thankfully another constituent captured this video to document the presumed kidnapping. I’m in touch with colleagues at all levels of government as we work to gather more information.
September 15, 2025 at 7:31 PM
This morning, masked and menacing Homeland Security agents abducted one of my East Somerville constituents. Thankfully another constituent captured this video to document the presumed kidnapping. I’m in touch with colleagues at all levels of government as we work to gather more information.
Thrilled to be endorsed by @abundanthousingma.org for Somerville City Council At Large! Remember to get out and vote tomorrow Somerville!
September 15, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Thrilled to be endorsed by @abundanthousingma.org for Somerville City Council At Large! Remember to get out and vote tomorrow Somerville!
Reposted by Scott
Hey #somerville (and neighbors in #boston #cambridge etc) -
I’m hosting a comedy show tomorrow! It’s a fundraiser for my city council campaign, but it also should be a very good show. I’m pulling together some of my favorite performers from theaters across the […]
[Original post on better.boston]
I’m hosting a comedy show tomorrow! It’s a fundraiser for my city council campaign, but it also should be a very good show. I’m pulling together some of my favorite performers from theaters across the […]
[Original post on better.boston]
August 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Hey #somerville (and neighbors in #boston #cambridge etc) -
I’m hosting a comedy show tomorrow! It’s a fundraiser for my city council campaign, but it also should be a very good show. I’m pulling together some of my favorite performers from theaters across the […]
[Original post on better.boston]
I’m hosting a comedy show tomorrow! It’s a fundraiser for my city council campaign, but it also should be a very good show. I’m pulling together some of my favorite performers from theaters across the […]
[Original post on better.boston]
Thrilled and honored to be endorsed! Let’s make a vibrant and affordable community here in Somerville.
Somerville YIMBY’s 2025 election endorsements are here! We’re pleased to endorse these candidates:
@willieburnleyjr.bsky.social
@scottistvan.com
@benjiwheeler.bsky.social
@wilfredmbah.bsky.social
Jon Link
@benforward3.bsky.social
Naima Sait
Emily Hardt
Read on: somervilleyimby.org/elections/20...
@willieburnleyjr.bsky.social
@scottistvan.com
@benjiwheeler.bsky.social
@wilfredmbah.bsky.social
Jon Link
@benforward3.bsky.social
Naima Sait
Emily Hardt
Read on: somervilleyimby.org/elections/20...
Somerville YIMBY 2025 Election Endorsements and Voter Guide
Somerville YIMBY endorses Willie Burnley Jr. for Mayor, emphasizing his leadership and housing initiatives. Other endorsements include Scott Istvan, Ben Wheeler, Will Mbah, and Jonathan Link for Ci…
somervilleyimby.org
August 15, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Thrilled and honored to be endorsed! Let’s make a vibrant and affordable community here in Somerville.
Reposted by Scott
Somerville YIMBY’s 2025 election endorsements are here! We’re pleased to endorse these candidates:
@willieburnleyjr.bsky.social
@scottistvan.com
@benjiwheeler.bsky.social
@wilfredmbah.bsky.social
Jon Link
@benforward3.bsky.social
Naima Sait
Emily Hardt
Read on: somervilleyimby.org/elections/20...
@willieburnleyjr.bsky.social
@scottistvan.com
@benjiwheeler.bsky.social
@wilfredmbah.bsky.social
Jon Link
@benforward3.bsky.social
Naima Sait
Emily Hardt
Read on: somervilleyimby.org/elections/20...
Somerville YIMBY 2025 Election Endorsements and Voter Guide
Somerville YIMBY endorses Willie Burnley Jr. for Mayor, emphasizing his leadership and housing initiatives. Other endorsements include Scott Istvan, Ben Wheeler, Will Mbah, and Jonathan Link for Ci…
somervilleyimby.org
August 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Somerville YIMBY’s 2025 election endorsements are here! We’re pleased to endorse these candidates:
@willieburnleyjr.bsky.social
@scottistvan.com
@benjiwheeler.bsky.social
@wilfredmbah.bsky.social
Jon Link
@benforward3.bsky.social
Naima Sait
Emily Hardt
Read on: somervilleyimby.org/elections/20...
@willieburnleyjr.bsky.social
@scottistvan.com
@benjiwheeler.bsky.social
@wilfredmbah.bsky.social
Jon Link
@benforward3.bsky.social
Naima Sait
Emily Hardt
Read on: somervilleyimby.org/elections/20...
One thing I love about Somerville is that people see a clever bit and go “yeah I want in on that“ see: elf land, cat mayor, etc
August 15, 2025 at 3:27 PM
One thing I love about Somerville is that people see a clever bit and go “yeah I want in on that“ see: elf land, cat mayor, etc
Reposted by Scott
The global phenomenon of “bikelash” has become one of the biggest barriers to implementing interventions that make our streets more liveable, accessible and sustainable. So how do we best manage it as advocates for change? Here are eight strategies we recently presented at the Velo-city Conference.🧵
August 14, 2025 at 9:54 AM
The global phenomenon of “bikelash” has become one of the biggest barriers to implementing interventions that make our streets more liveable, accessible and sustainable. So how do we best manage it as advocates for change? Here are eight strategies we recently presented at the Velo-city Conference.🧵
Reposted by Scott
i wish we had a sane and stable national politics so we could treat "lebron james sends cease and desist to AI company making pregnant videos of him" the most important story of the week that it deserves to be
July 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
i wish we had a sane and stable national politics so we could treat "lebron james sends cease and desist to AI company making pregnant videos of him" the most important story of the week that it deserves to be
Reposted by Scott
I do firmly believe that refusing to outsource your basic cognitive functions to LLMs right now - as so many are stumbling over themselves to do right now, like hogs trotting to a pile of slop that’s been set up inside of a butcher’s delivery truck - will very much pay off in a few years.
July 26, 2025 at 1:56 AM
I do firmly believe that refusing to outsource your basic cognitive functions to LLMs right now - as so many are stumbling over themselves to do right now, like hogs trotting to a pile of slop that’s been set up inside of a butcher’s delivery truck - will very much pay off in a few years.
Reposted by Scott
Boston Critical Mass tonight was lit #BikingInBoston
July 26, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Boston Critical Mass tonight was lit #BikingInBoston
Reposted by Scott
Fenway Park concession workers are launching a strike amid a contract dispute with Aramark and hours ahead of a Red Sox-Dodgers weekend series at the park.
Fenway Park workers launch strike before Red Sox game - The Boston Globe
The strike comes after Unite Here Local 26, the union representing the workers, and the ballpark’s concession company, Aramark, failed to reach a contract agreement.
trib.al
July 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Fenway Park concession workers are launching a strike amid a contract dispute with Aramark and hours ahead of a Red Sox-Dodgers weekend series at the park.
Reposted by Scott
Roundabouts don't request safe speed compliance, they demand it.
July 25, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Roundabouts don't request safe speed compliance, they demand it.
Reposted by Scott
I’m fine with limiting the speed of e-scooters and e-bikes just as long as we do the same for every vehicle on our roads.
July 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I’m fine with limiting the speed of e-scooters and e-bikes just as long as we do the same for every vehicle on our roads.
Cross-posting, now with direct link to request a yard sign! I mean, who doesn’t want my name in big letters sitting proudly on their lawn?
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
July 16, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Cross-posting, now with direct link to request a yard sign! I mean, who doesn’t want my name in big letters sitting proudly on their lawn?
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Scott
Have you ever thought “wow my yard/front window really just needs a hit of vibrant teal and purple and also I want to support a fun progressive city council candidate who loves #safestreets and #transit (and upzoning and small businesses)?”
WELL HAVE I GOT […]
[Original post on better.boston]
WELL HAVE I GOT […]
[Original post on better.boston]
July 16, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Have you ever thought “wow my yard/front window really just needs a hit of vibrant teal and purple and also I want to support a fun progressive city council candidate who loves #safestreets and #transit (and upzoning and small businesses)?”
WELL HAVE I GOT […]
[Original post on better.boston]
WELL HAVE I GOT […]
[Original post on better.boston]
…but I thought no one bikes in the rain!
Very ordinary rainy morning commuter traffic in Kendall.
July 9, 2025 at 1:38 PM
…but I thought no one bikes in the rain!
Reposted by Scott
Art is inefficient. Care is inefficient. Joy is inefficient. Humanity is inefficient. Don't let them take that away.
July 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Art is inefficient. Care is inefficient. Joy is inefficient. Humanity is inefficient. Don't let them take that away.
Reposted by Scott
When Hidalgo steps down next year, she'll have left an inspiring legacy: 350 km of protected bike lanes, 130,000 bike parking spaces, 300 school streets, 145,000 trees, 45 km of parks, and 140,000 fewer car parking spaces. Largely thanks to a light, quick, cheap experiment started 20 years earlier.🔚
July 8, 2025 at 9:31 AM
When Hidalgo steps down next year, she'll have left an inspiring legacy: 350 km of protected bike lanes, 130,000 bike parking spaces, 300 school streets, 145,000 trees, 45 km of parks, and 140,000 fewer car parking spaces. Largely thanks to a light, quick, cheap experiment started 20 years earlier.🔚