Daniel Herriges
@dpherriges.bsky.social
Urbanist advocate. Policy Director at the Parking Reform Network. Writer at Strong Towns. Co-author "Escaping the Housing Trap." St. Paul, Minnesota.
One of my AV hot takes is that to avert the worst consequences of their mainstream adoption (such as hellish congestion and more induced sprawl) cities need to get serious fast about charging directly for road usage. And almost nowhere is.
Also because electrification will kill the gas tax.
Also because electrification will kill the gas tax.
November 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
One of my AV hot takes is that to avert the worst consequences of their mainstream adoption (such as hellish congestion and more induced sprawl) cities need to get serious fast about charging directly for road usage. And almost nowhere is.
Also because electrification will kill the gas tax.
Also because electrification will kill the gas tax.
There are many good reasons to be wary of both this tech and this business model.
But almost all replies and QTs on this are focused on the risk of it hitting people, and I actually think the evidence is pretty clear at this point that Waymo's safety record is better than that of human drivers.
But almost all replies and QTs on this are focused on the risk of it hitting people, and I actually think the evidence is pretty clear at this point that Waymo's safety record is better than that of human drivers.
Waymo, the driverless ride-hailing company, is bringing its fleet of autonomous electric vehicles to Minneapolis.
Ridesharing without a driver? It's coming to Minneapolis
Testing will begin Thursday morning. No date has been set to start offering rides to passengers.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 3:55 PM
There are many good reasons to be wary of both this tech and this business model.
But almost all replies and QTs on this are focused on the risk of it hitting people, and I actually think the evidence is pretty clear at this point that Waymo's safety record is better than that of human drivers.
But almost all replies and QTs on this are focused on the risk of it hitting people, and I actually think the evidence is pretty clear at this point that Waymo's safety record is better than that of human drivers.
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
For the second time this year, Connecticut has sent the nations most expansive statewide parking minimum reform to Governor Lamont.
This time he's planning to sign it.
westportjournal.com/government/h...
This time he's planning to sign it.
westportjournal.com/government/h...
Housing bill passes, House, Senate; Lamont expected to sign
The new compromise housing bill, HB 8002, gets final approval from the CT Senate. It heads to Governor Lamont's desk.
westportjournal.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 PM
For the second time this year, Connecticut has sent the nations most expansive statewide parking minimum reform to Governor Lamont.
This time he's planning to sign it.
westportjournal.com/government/h...
This time he's planning to sign it.
westportjournal.com/government/h...
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
And how much Transportation is hidden in the other categories? What portion of Housing costs is the garage under your apartment building? What portion of Food is the sea of parking surrounding the supermarket? What portion of Healthcare is car-related injury and respiratory disease?
Transportation costs are the second largest burden on American family budgets (17%), after housing (33%)!
To address the affordability crisis, we must create cities with abundant housing of all types (subsidized, social, coop, market rate) and make walking, biking, and taking transit convenient.
To address the affordability crisis, we must create cities with abundant housing of all types (subsidized, social, coop, market rate) and make walking, biking, and taking transit convenient.
November 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
And how much Transportation is hidden in the other categories? What portion of Housing costs is the garage under your apartment building? What portion of Food is the sea of parking surrounding the supermarket? What portion of Healthcare is car-related injury and respiratory disease?
St. Paul is lit right now!
November 12, 2025 at 2:49 AM
St. Paul is lit right now!
People have for real gone from "My neighborhood is a community of which I am a member, and sometimes my neighbors may mildly annoy me" to "My neighborhood is a curated consumer experience I bought into by owning property here, and I can complain to the management if my experience is unsatisfactory."
Zoning Practice magazine devotes an entire issue to *checks notes* pickleball noise
November 11, 2025 at 4:09 AM
People have for real gone from "My neighborhood is a community of which I am a member, and sometimes my neighbors may mildly annoy me" to "My neighborhood is a curated consumer experience I bought into by owning property here, and I can complain to the management if my experience is unsatisfactory."
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
Regular reminder that we install signal poles and light posts with breakaway bolts *with the explicit purpose* of allowing cars to cleanly drive through them.
This results in the regular wiping of pedestrian off sidewalks, who might imagine that they are protected by nearby infrastructure.
This results in the regular wiping of pedestrian off sidewalks, who might imagine that they are protected by nearby infrastructure.
November 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Regular reminder that we install signal poles and light posts with breakaway bolts *with the explicit purpose* of allowing cars to cleanly drive through them.
This results in the regular wiping of pedestrian off sidewalks, who might imagine that they are protected by nearby infrastructure.
This results in the regular wiping of pedestrian off sidewalks, who might imagine that they are protected by nearby infrastructure.
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
The leaves on Rainier Ave are making a pretty convincing argument that the center turn lanes don't get much use -- lots of excess road space that could be protected bike infrastructure.
November 4, 2025 at 2:01 AM
The leaves on Rainier Ave are making a pretty convincing argument that the center turn lanes don't get much use -- lots of excess road space that could be protected bike infrastructure.
If there is a Minnesotan in your life, please show some respect for their culture today by patiently allowing them to regale you with what they were doing October 31st, 1991. Refrain from rolling your eyes or trying to change the subject, as this ritual is deeply meaningful to our people.
October 31, 2025 at 2:01 PM
If there is a Minnesotan in your life, please show some respect for their culture today by patiently allowing them to regale you with what they were doing October 31st, 1991. Refrain from rolling your eyes or trying to change the subject, as this ritual is deeply meaningful to our people.
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
10/23/25 IG: mike_kelly_photography
10am ICE arrested US citizen after alleging she‘d made a threat. Both woman & onlookers refuted claim, but ICE proceeded to force her to ground & zip-tie her hands. Incident followed a failed attempt by ICE to gain access at nearby laundromat
🛑THIS MUST STOP🛑
10am ICE arrested US citizen after alleging she‘d made a threat. Both woman & onlookers refuted claim, but ICE proceeded to force her to ground & zip-tie her hands. Incident followed a failed attempt by ICE to gain access at nearby laundromat
🛑THIS MUST STOP🛑
October 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
10/23/25 IG: mike_kelly_photography
10am ICE arrested US citizen after alleging she‘d made a threat. Both woman & onlookers refuted claim, but ICE proceeded to force her to ground & zip-tie her hands. Incident followed a failed attempt by ICE to gain access at nearby laundromat
🛑THIS MUST STOP🛑
10am ICE arrested US citizen after alleging she‘d made a threat. Both woman & onlookers refuted claim, but ICE proceeded to force her to ground & zip-tie her hands. Incident followed a failed attempt by ICE to gain access at nearby laundromat
🛑THIS MUST STOP🛑
Getting one of these for my front yard.
This is my favorite so far because it does double duty as anti-king and pro-Shoupism agitprop
ooh well done
October 18, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Getting one of these for my front yard.
Good thread:
The American centrist punditocracy has decided that what the US transit industry needs are endless lectures about the importance of security.
These writers misunderstand the problem, and are making things worse. 1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
These writers misunderstand the problem, and are making things worse. 1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
The Other Reason Americans Don’t Use Mass Transit
People will take buses and trains only if they feel safe while riding them.
www.theatlantic.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Good thread:
A thing I struggle to communicate concisely is that the "time tax" is mitigated by arranging your life differently, and those choices can be really rewarding.
Most habitual drivers envision car-lite living as making all the same trips at the same times, just without the car. That sounds terrible!
Most habitual drivers envision car-lite living as making all the same trips at the same times, just without the car. That sounds terrible!
One thing I wish we would do far, far more in our ped/bike/transit writing and advocacy is acknowledge the time tax those modes of transport often incur, and what it means for people to absorb that tax. When we don't, I think it makes us a bit dishonest and weakens our advocacy!
October 16, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A thing I struggle to communicate concisely is that the "time tax" is mitigated by arranging your life differently, and those choices can be really rewarding.
Most habitual drivers envision car-lite living as making all the same trips at the same times, just without the car. That sounds terrible!
Most habitual drivers envision car-lite living as making all the same trips at the same times, just without the car. That sounds terrible!
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
More people should understand that this is standard practice in American urban planning. The zoning on paper is not a real plan for growth, it's the opening bid in a highly politicized negotiation between home builders, elected officials, and activists with the power to kill projects.
The “clean” way to do this is to intentionally downzone the by-right option and make the actually economic option only available via special permit. That’s the skeleton key to all manner of shenanigans.
October 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
More people should understand that this is standard practice in American urban planning. The zoning on paper is not a real plan for growth, it's the opening bid in a highly politicized negotiation between home builders, elected officials, and activists with the power to kill projects.
I watched a CNU session in 2023 where Peter Calthorpe pitched this kind of "grand boulevard" vision—and explicitly said it wasn't worth the political fight to upzone single-family neighborhoods when you could redevlop 40 miles of El Camino Real with 5-over-1's.
Just a totally misguided approach.
Just a totally misguided approach.
i'm sorry but this is not a future that prioritizes affordable housing and climate - it's a future that prioritizes cars
look at all those paved surfaces. want to cross the street to get to a restaurant? hold on we've got an 8-lane stroad for you to cross.
connectcascadia.com/wp-content/u...
look at all those paved surfaces. want to cross the street to get to a restaurant? hold on we've got an 8-lane stroad for you to cross.
connectcascadia.com/wp-content/u...
October 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I watched a CNU session in 2023 where Peter Calthorpe pitched this kind of "grand boulevard" vision—and explicitly said it wasn't worth the political fight to upzone single-family neighborhoods when you could redevlop 40 miles of El Camino Real with 5-over-1's.
Just a totally misguided approach.
Just a totally misguided approach.
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
October 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
"Who wants to buy or build in a place that might be condemned? Hanging the possibility of demolition over a community is itself a slow form of demolition.
This is the cruelest feature of zombie projects: They do damage even when they never get built."
This is the cruelest feature of zombie projects: They do damage even when they never get built."
I-49 Threatened To Destroy This Neighborhood for a Decade. Is It Finally Dead? | Strong Towns
The regional government of Northwest Louisiana recently canceled discussions on the I-49 Connector project. But is this highway project really dead?
www.strongtowns.org
October 6, 2025 at 2:44 PM
"Who wants to buy or build in a place that might be condemned? Hanging the possibility of demolition over a community is itself a slow form of demolition.
This is the cruelest feature of zombie projects: They do damage even when they never get built."
This is the cruelest feature of zombie projects: They do damage even when they never get built."
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
⚠️ Chinese researchers have invented bone glue that mimics how oysters stick to surfaces underwater.
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
China's oyster-inspired 'bone glue' bonds fractures in minutes
A new oyster-inspired Bone-02 adhesive can revolutionize bone repair without metal fasteners.
interestingengineering.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
I wish I could deny this…but it’s true. It’s who we are.
I’m at a @moreneighbors.org fundraiser that’s organized as a fun Mpls vs St. Paul comedy roast. It’s fun because the Mpls folks roast St Paul, and the St Paul people… also roast St Paul.
September 25, 2025 at 11:57 PM
I wish I could deny this…but it’s true. It’s who we are.
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
149 homes 😍
Next to CTA 🚇
Only 21 parking spots 🚗
Replaces a surface parking lot 🥳
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Next to CTA 🚇
Only 21 parking spots 🚗
Replaces a surface parking lot 🥳
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
River North parking lot to be replaced with nearly 150 new apartments
Chicago's Zoning Board of Appeals also approved the construction of a new sports facility by the Illinois Basketball Academy.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 20, 2025 at 5:42 PM
149 homes 😍
Next to CTA 🚇
Only 21 parking spots 🚗
Replaces a surface parking lot 🥳
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Next to CTA 🚇
Only 21 parking spots 🚗
Replaces a surface parking lot 🥳
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Daniel Herriges
A study in an utter lack of political courage and governing on instinct, vibes, and paranoia all around.
Friday night @ginnymonk.bsky.social housing drop?!?!
Must-read, as always
ctmirror.org/2025/09/19/c...
Must-read, as always
ctmirror.org/2025/09/19/c...
Political challenges of CT HB 5002 depicted in Ned Lamont’s texts
The texts show how affordable housing has become a political quagmire for Democrats, with some urging him to sign it despite voting no.
ctmirror.org
September 19, 2025 at 9:51 PM
A study in an utter lack of political courage and governing on instinct, vibes, and paranoia all around.
My earliest Dad's Car memories are of bouncing happily to Dire Straits' "Walk of Life" on the way to the farmers' market, and I'll be honest, that song still brings a huge grin to my face for that reason.
September 19, 2025 at 11:11 PM
My earliest Dad's Car memories are of bouncing happily to Dire Straits' "Walk of Life" on the way to the farmers' market, and I'll be honest, that song still brings a huge grin to my face for that reason.
The play here, if you're trying for political reasons to mollify homeowners afraid of losing their street parking, is to grandfather existing residents in with subsidized permits, while new arrivals (tenants + owners) are eligible but pay market rate. Eventually you'll just have market rate parking.
It's now common that residents of new developments be excluded from applying for on-street parking. I understand this is as a path to appease local NIMBYs but it strikes me as horribly unfair. Granting more special privileges to wealthy homeowners.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
September 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The play here, if you're trying for political reasons to mollify homeowners afraid of losing their street parking, is to grandfather existing residents in with subsidized permits, while new arrivals (tenants + owners) are eligible but pay market rate. Eventually you'll just have market rate parking.
Happy Park(ing) Day to those who celebrate! bsky.app/profile/stro...
Every September, communities across the country celebrate Park(ing) Day by transforming ordinary parking spaces into temporary public places. At first glance, it can look like a one-day street festival.
September 19, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Happy Park(ing) Day to those who celebrate! bsky.app/profile/stro...