The Overhead Wire
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Jeff Wood is the host of the Talking Headways podcast and the publisher of The Overhead Wire daily newsletter. http://theoverheadwire.com
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How to Use The Overhead Wire Archive
YouTube video by TheOverheadWire
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I put together a video explainer about how to use our news link archive! We've collected and categorized over 100,000 items since 2013 and I hope folks get a chance to check it out. www.youtube.com/watch?v=arUe...
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
You are hereby reminded that Berkeley could have had Pixar. Steve Jobs wanted to specifically place Pixar HQ near the "creative and intellectual center of Berkeley." But at the same time Berkeley created the West Berkeley Plan to maintain little hobbit workshops instead of attracting real business.
Undoubtedly. Pixar, and the others. Look at my assessment density map. Emeryville sticks out for how many huge, valuable parcels they have.
November 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
You are hereby reminded that Berkeley could have had Pixar. Steve Jobs wanted to specifically place Pixar HQ near the "creative and intellectual center of Berkeley." But at the same time Berkeley created the West Berkeley Plan to maintain little hobbit workshops instead of attracting real business.
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
You have to keep giving money to avoid collapse and if there’s collapse you have to give more money. It’s called the free market.
November 24, 2025 at 10:54 PM
You have to keep giving money to avoid collapse and if there’s collapse you have to give more money. It’s called the free market.
"Mayor John Whitmire argued scooters represented "one of our number one security risks in the city right now" due to unsafe operation on sidewalks and streets."
Why are they unsafe on streets and move to sidewalks mayor? Is it because they might get hit by a ...........CAR?
Why are they unsafe on streets and move to sidewalks mayor? Is it because they might get hit by a ...........CAR?
Whitmire in Houston continues to be the worst mayor on transportation issues - link.theoverheadwire.com/njh4c
Houstonians can no longer rent scooters late at night | Houston Public Media
The Houston City Council enacted a nighttime curfew for both electric and foot-powered scooters amid concerns about safety.
link.theoverheadwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:20 PM
"Mayor John Whitmire argued scooters represented "one of our number one security risks in the city right now" due to unsafe operation on sidewalks and streets."
Why are they unsafe on streets and move to sidewalks mayor? Is it because they might get hit by a ...........CAR?
Why are they unsafe on streets and move to sidewalks mayor? Is it because they might get hit by a ...........CAR?
Whitmire in Houston continues to be the worst mayor on transportation issues - link.theoverheadwire.com/njh4c
Houstonians can no longer rent scooters late at night | Houston Public Media
The Houston City Council enacted a nighttime curfew for both electric and foot-powered scooters amid concerns about safety.
link.theoverheadwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Whitmire in Houston continues to be the worst mayor on transportation issues - link.theoverheadwire.com/njh4c
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
The fact that 4-way stops and 2-way stops are the same sign is EXTREME negligence. Insane traffic engineering.
You literally have to look for the back of the cross-street's sign at an angle to find out if you're supposed to wait.
(That said, 4-way stops are horrible and should be abolished.)
You literally have to look for the back of the cross-street's sign at an angle to find out if you're supposed to wait.
(That said, 4-way stops are horrible and should be abolished.)
November 24, 2025 at 4:47 AM
The fact that 4-way stops and 2-way stops are the same sign is EXTREME negligence. Insane traffic engineering.
You literally have to look for the back of the cross-street's sign at an angle to find out if you're supposed to wait.
(That said, 4-way stops are horrible and should be abolished.)
You literally have to look for the back of the cross-street's sign at an angle to find out if you're supposed to wait.
(That said, 4-way stops are horrible and should be abolished.)
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
Couldn't turn down some free block party chairs -- and pretty impressed that even without bungees, the @ternbicycles.com and @theoverheadwire.com
scarf got them 3mi to home. Those scarves are surprisingly stretchy!
scarf got them 3mi to home. Those scarves are surprisingly stretchy!
November 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Couldn't turn down some free block party chairs -- and pretty impressed that even without bungees, the @ternbicycles.com and @theoverheadwire.com
scarf got them 3mi to home. Those scarves are surprisingly stretchy!
scarf got them 3mi to home. Those scarves are surprisingly stretchy!
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
Talking Headways Podcast: Emotional Consumption in China - usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/20/t... via @usa.streetsblog.org and @theoverheadwire.com
Talking Headways Podcast: Emotional Consumption in China — Streetsblog USA
High-speed rail has completely transformed the country. Think about that sentence: "High-speed rail has completely transformed the country." When was the last time something positive like that happene...
usa.streetsblog.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Talking Headways Podcast: Emotional Consumption in China - usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/20/t... via @usa.streetsblog.org and @theoverheadwire.com
I put together a video explainer about how to use our news link archive! We've collected and categorized over 100,000 items since 2013 and I hope folks get a chance to check it out. www.youtube.com/watch?v=arUe...
How to Use The Overhead Wire Archive
YouTube video by TheOverheadWire
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:05 PM
I put together a video explainer about how to use our news link archive! We've collected and categorized over 100,000 items since 2013 and I hope folks get a chance to check it out. www.youtube.com/watch?v=arUe...
New #TalkingHeadways podcast! Olivia Plotnick of Wai Social in Shanghai China joins the show to talk about her trip to 32 mid-sized cities in 60 days, mostly on high speed rail! Hope folks get a chance to listen to this one! link.theoverheadwire.com/nygv8 @usa.streetsblog.org
Talking Headways Podcast: Emotional Consumption in China — Streetsblog USA
High-speed rail has completely transformed the country. Think about that sentence: "High-speed rail has completely transformed the country." When was the last time something positive like that happene...
link.theoverheadwire.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
New #TalkingHeadways podcast! Olivia Plotnick of Wai Social in Shanghai China joins the show to talk about her trip to 32 mid-sized cities in 60 days, mostly on high speed rail! Hope folks get a chance to listen to this one! link.theoverheadwire.com/nygv8 @usa.streetsblog.org
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
This is rich. Connie Chan says she “built real affordable housing, not the Sacramento version that destroys our neighborhoods.”
She points to new affordable housing on Geary: housing that she didn’t build but that *was* built using “Sacramento version” housing laws & $52M in state funds. 🧵
She points to new affordable housing on Geary: housing that she didn’t build but that *was* built using “Sacramento version” housing laws & $52M in state funds. 🧵
November 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This is rich. Connie Chan says she “built real affordable housing, not the Sacramento version that destroys our neighborhoods.”
She points to new affordable housing on Geary: housing that she didn’t build but that *was* built using “Sacramento version” housing laws & $52M in state funds. 🧵
She points to new affordable housing on Geary: housing that she didn’t build but that *was* built using “Sacramento version” housing laws & $52M in state funds. 🧵
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
Rocked my @theoverheadwire.com bus lane scarf for a bus lane ribbon cutting!
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Rocked my @theoverheadwire.com bus lane scarf for a bus lane ribbon cutting!
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
❤️🚌
Rocked my @theoverheadwire.com bus lane scarf for a bus lane ribbon cutting!
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
Full video: www.king5.com/article/news...
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
❤️🚌
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
Not a reboot. Not a reunion show. But set in same universe and continuity as the various original series. Bunch of original writers onboard.
If they stick to that principle, it'll be fascinating. I'm WAY more likely to watch a show done this way than yet another reboot of a beloved thing.
If they stick to that principle, it'll be fascinating. I'm WAY more likely to watch a show done this way than yet another reboot of a beloved thing.
Amazon Greenlights A New Stargate Series
www.gateworld.net/news/2025/11...
FIRST ON GATEWORLD: A new #Stargate series is now in pre-production for Prime Video, with veteran writer and producer Martin Gero at the helm. @primevideo.bsky.social
www.gateworld.net/news/2025/11...
FIRST ON GATEWORLD: A new #Stargate series is now in pre-production for Prime Video, with veteran writer and producer Martin Gero at the helm. @primevideo.bsky.social
Amazon Greenlights A New Stargate Series » GateWorld
FIRST ON GATEWORLD: A new Stargate series is now in pre-production for Prime Video, with veteran writer and producer Martin Gero at the helm.
www.gateworld.net
November 20, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Not a reboot. Not a reunion show. But set in same universe and continuity as the various original series. Bunch of original writers onboard.
If they stick to that principle, it'll be fascinating. I'm WAY more likely to watch a show done this way than yet another reboot of a beloved thing.
If they stick to that principle, it'll be fascinating. I'm WAY more likely to watch a show done this way than yet another reboot of a beloved thing.
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
It's true that "you can't justify a bridge by the number of people swimming across the river."
Unless you're Amtrak.
It's not a good rail service, but Americans keep buying tickets. Latent demand is so high, people have started swimming the river.
Good work from @kait.bsky.social
Unless you're Amtrak.
It's not a good rail service, but Americans keep buying tickets. Latent demand is so high, people have started swimming the river.
Good work from @kait.bsky.social
Airports are in chaos as the holiday travel season approaches—and the railroad is looking pretty good by comparison, Kaitlyn Tiffany writes. theatln.tc/rSbDzame
November 20, 2025 at 12:38 AM
It's true that "you can't justify a bridge by the number of people swimming across the river."
Unless you're Amtrak.
It's not a good rail service, but Americans keep buying tickets. Latent demand is so high, people have started swimming the river.
Good work from @kait.bsky.social
Unless you're Amtrak.
It's not a good rail service, but Americans keep buying tickets. Latent demand is so high, people have started swimming the river.
Good work from @kait.bsky.social
Wednesday's Most Read # 1 - Scott Wiener Defeated California’s NIMBYs. Can He Fix America’s Housing Crisis? link.theoverheadwire.com/4mdfv Mother Jones @scottwiener.bsky.social
link.theoverheadwire.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Wednesday's Most Read # 1 - Scott Wiener Defeated California’s NIMBYs. Can He Fix America’s Housing Crisis? link.theoverheadwire.com/4mdfv Mother Jones @scottwiener.bsky.social
Wednesday's Most Read # 2 - Baltimore’s Rebooted Transit Project Can’t Come Soon Enough link.theoverheadwire.com/f3gmj Bloomberg CityLab
Baltimore’s Rebooted Transit Project Can’t Come Soon Enough
The Red Line, a rail plan with a troubled past, emerged as a transportation priority for Maryland Governor Wes Moore in 2024. But progress has been slow.
link.theoverheadwire.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Wednesday's Most Read # 2 - Baltimore’s Rebooted Transit Project Can’t Come Soon Enough link.theoverheadwire.com/f3gmj Bloomberg CityLab
Wednesday's Most Read # 3 - California Forever - A City Is Broke. Can Billionaires’ Urbanist Dream Offer It a Last Chance? link.theoverheadwire.com/ruqef New York Times @conordougherty.bsky.social
link.theoverheadwire.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Wednesday's Most Read # 3 - California Forever - A City Is Broke. Can Billionaires’ Urbanist Dream Offer It a Last Chance? link.theoverheadwire.com/ruqef New York Times @conordougherty.bsky.social
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
New report from @NRDC and @EDF on funding voluntary buyouts.
Buyouts not only allow high-risk property owners to move somewhere safer but also the newly acquired properties can become part of the community’s longer-term climate resilience plans.
www.nrdc.org/press-releas...
Buyouts not only allow high-risk property owners to move somewhere safer but also the newly acquired properties can become part of the community’s longer-term climate resilience plans.
www.nrdc.org/press-releas...
New Report Shows How States Can Fund Home Buyouts as Federal Resources Shrink
As costs for damages from climate-fueled disasters continue to mount, a new report from NRDC and EDF shows how states and local governments can pay for voluntary home buyouts and relocation assistance...
www.nrdc.org
November 18, 2025 at 10:10 PM
New report from @NRDC and @EDF on funding voluntary buyouts.
Buyouts not only allow high-risk property owners to move somewhere safer but also the newly acquired properties can become part of the community’s longer-term climate resilience plans.
www.nrdc.org/press-releas...
Buyouts not only allow high-risk property owners to move somewhere safer but also the newly acquired properties can become part of the community’s longer-term climate resilience plans.
www.nrdc.org/press-releas...
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
The amazing folks at the WSDOT Active Transportation Division have released their 'quick build guide' - which includes at least a dozen quick-build projects as case studies across Washington State. This is great reading for sickos and local governments alike!
wsdot.wa.gov/sites/defaul...
wsdot.wa.gov/sites/defaul...
wsdot.wa.gov
November 4, 2025 at 12:56 AM
The amazing folks at the WSDOT Active Transportation Division have released their 'quick build guide' - which includes at least a dozen quick-build projects as case studies across Washington State. This is great reading for sickos and local governments alike!
wsdot.wa.gov/sites/defaul...
wsdot.wa.gov/sites/defaul...
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
“As pickups transitioned from farm/ranch workhorses to lifestyle vehicles, their design shifted accordingly: Cabs expanded to accommodate more passengers, while beds shrank. The first generation of F-150s were 36% cab & 64% bed by length. By 2021, the ratio had flipped.
www.axios.com/local/housto...
www.axios.com/local/housto...
November 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
“As pickups transitioned from farm/ranch workhorses to lifestyle vehicles, their design shifted accordingly: Cabs expanded to accommodate more passengers, while beds shrank. The first generation of F-150s were 36% cab & 64% bed by length. By 2021, the ratio had flipped.
www.axios.com/local/housto...
www.axios.com/local/housto...
Also when you can count truly urban places on two hands that isn’t choice.
It’s almost impossible to measure what people prefer in an environment where all kinds of factors influence where and how people live. There’s also an obvious absence of choice in most of the country. I’d warn against saying any evidence is all-caps overwhelming one way or the other.
Right, this is true, but the OVERWHELMING evidence of the past 100 years of American life is that vastly more people want space and a car than a smaller unit and a car-free lifestyle. This is mostly why the suburban share of US population has grown relentlessly for the entire 20th and 21st century
November 19, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Also when you can count truly urban places on two hands that isn’t choice.
A great group of folks!
ICYMI, this STARTER PACK is my team-up with celebrated climate scientist @katharinehayhoe.com, and it’s full of people & organizations that specifically embrace the overlap between better cities and climate action! Please follow them, and help spread the pack around! #ClimateAction #UrbanistShoutOut
November 19, 2025 at 12:44 AM
A great group of folks!
Reposted by The Overhead Wire
ICYMI, this STARTER PACK is my team-up with celebrated climate scientist @katharinehayhoe.com, and it’s full of people & organizations that specifically embrace the overlap between better cities and climate action! Please follow them, and help spread the pack around! #ClimateAction #UrbanistShoutOut
November 18, 2025 at 7:57 PM
ICYMI, this STARTER PACK is my team-up with celebrated climate scientist @katharinehayhoe.com, and it’s full of people & organizations that specifically embrace the overlap between better cities and climate action! Please follow them, and help spread the pack around! #ClimateAction #UrbanistShoutOut
Tuesday's Most Read # 1 - What Will Replace DART if Cities End Their Contracts? link.theoverheadwire.com/by6pr @dallasobserver.com
What Will Replace DART if Cities End Their Contracts?
Two cities allowing voters to elect to leave DART in May have offered microtransit systems as an alternative. They're flawed.
link.theoverheadwire.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Tuesday's Most Read # 1 - What Will Replace DART if Cities End Their Contracts? link.theoverheadwire.com/by6pr @dallasobserver.com