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Erik Lowe

@eriklowe.bsky.social
384 followers 298 following 287 posts

Co-Executive Director at SpokaneReimagined.org. linktr.ee/spokanereimagined

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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 22h
Here's your invitation to take the bus for National Week without Driving!
Advertisement: "Until you learn the rope trick to park your car... It's Easier to Go By Bus! To find parking space for your car in downtown Spokane is no joke, of course. So, let's be serious --- and
SENSIBLE! Go by City Lines bus --- quickly, safely, economically ---
when you go downtown to work or to shop ... Avoid parking problems ..cut short the long walk to and from parking place (when and if you find one) .. .take no chances with downtown traffic hazards --- go by bus, with less fuss!"

. . Avoid parking
cut short the long
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Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Pretty cool news on the Spokane Reimagined front...
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
K.H.I. @sheridesabike.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Love this. www.spokanetransit.com/field-trips-...
spokanetransit.com
Field Trips with Spokane Transit - Spokane Transit Authority
Taking your students on a field trip? Spokane Transit is your partner to get there! Let’s make learning beyond the classroom easy and accessible! If you would like to share details of your field trip,...
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Spokane Rising @spokanerising.com · 16/09/2026
News: Spokane is launching a new Emergency Streets program that will rapidly deploy traffic calming within 72 hours of any fatal crash. The program is intended to slow down drivers and increase awareness while crews evaluate whether factors like street design factored into the crash.
spokesman.com
Spokane to begin using traffic calming devices following fatal collisions
On a dark and rainy February night last year, Sarah Rose of Spokane remembered thinking, as cars sped past her, that conditions were creating a high danger for pedestrian and driver conflicts. As her ...
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Kirk Hovenkotter @kirkhovenkotter.com · 29/08/2026
This November, the people of Tacoma & Pierce County have the chance to vote for the bus system they deserve Prop 1 delivers: ➡️47% increase in bus service ➡️No more hourly headways ➡️Buses until at least 10pm on Weekdays ➡️4 new routes. More rapid routes ➡️Free fares for seniors
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Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Spokane Reimagined takes this fully to heart and we’ve been incredibly successful by leading with joy.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Not every pedestrian street will work year-round, at least not yet. Some need to be strengthened/revitalized first. The street has to already be reasonably successful as a sustainable summer people-magnet. Vancouver’s Granville Street isn’t ready yet. Seattle’s Pike Place IS ready to be year-round.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Qagggy! @qagggy.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
What if Pike Place was closed to general traffic even after market hours? What if we just decided having a comfortable place to stroll was a public good?
Pike place after 8:00pm with people strolling. Photo by me last night.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
K.H.I. @sheridesabike.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Fare-free transit is feasible in most transit systems, just not typically in the largest systems (which doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be a goal).
From a 2012 National Academies paper examining fare-free transit in the United States:

“Although they might not carry the majority of passengers in the country, most public transit agencies in the United States tend to be small systems. They will be particularly interested in knowing if a fare-free policy is something they should consider. The report could also be of interest to those individuals and groups that advocate more for fare-free public transit.

Public transit managers and policy boards often grapple with the conflicting goals of increasing ridership to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, etc., and maximizing operating revenues to reduce the amount of taxes needed to support the system. This report provides evidence that certain communities have found that fare-free public transit service can sometimes be implemented in ways that result in increased ridership and no higher costs to local taxpayers, whereas others have found that the benefits their communities enjoy from fare-free public transit are worth the cost of foregone farebox revenues. The few larger public transit systems that have explored the feasibility of providing fare-free transit have found that, absent a source of local revenue to replace the loss of substantial farebox revenue, fare-free public transit is not a likely option in their community in the near future.”
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Jarrett Walker @humantransit.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Lots of transit funding elections coming up in the US! Here's one you can learn a lot from: a very narrow and hard-fought win in "purple" Spokane, Washington. humantransit.org/2026/08/an-i...
humantransit.org
An Instructive Win for Transit in Spokane — Human Transit
In many US cities, voters will soon be asked to invest in public transit, if only to sustain services as operating costs rise.  So it might be useful to look closely at the just-completed battle in a ...
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Ed Burmila @edburmila.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
You don’t have to like this guy‘s politics to recognize that everyone who has insisted for decades that The Issues are almost all too complicated and too nuanced to explain to voters let alone address was lying to you.
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Spokane Rising @spokanerising.com · 10/08/2026
We are extraordinarily grateful for @transpochoices.bsky.social’s work on the Yes for Buses campaign. Spokane Transit now has stable ongoing funding for the next 20 years, unlocking: 🚏 added frequency and amenities, 🚌 another new BRT line, 🎫 new fare programs, and 🛞 investments in operators.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Kirk Hovenkotter @kirkhovenkotter.com · 10/08/2026
Thanks to Spokane voters for 2 decades of better buses. This campaign won in face of the largest anti-transit campaign in a primary in state history.
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Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
When it's all said and done, the "No" campaign will have outspent the "Yes" campaign nearly 3 to 1.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Kirk Hovenkotter @kirkhovenkotter.com · 08/08/2026
I’ve seen enough
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Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
The "No" campaign financed by Larry Stone and Gerry Dicker was the third largest anti-transit election campaign in state history. On a opposition campaign dollar per NO vote: ST2: $0.28 ST3: $1.11 Yes for Buses is trending over $5 per NO vote...
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Good morning. The past 42 hours have been something. Spokane Transit has been assisting with evacuations, from the VA Hospital to assisted living and retirement centers as recent as this AM. Multiple employees have lost their homes. I appreciate the thoughts and prayers for Spokane.
Bus on Spokane Transit Route 4 approaches bus stop in a noticeable haze of wildfire smoke
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Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The "Yes" campaign was outspent by the "No" campaign nearly 4 to 1. Over $200k was spent by just two people, Larry Stone and Gerry Dicker.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Oran โอม @oranv.com · 05/08/2026
It’s still too early but would be interested how the map changes after Spokane’s housing and parking reforms have a couple years to bear fruit.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Jarrett Walker @humantransit.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
When you ask voters to approve taxes for public transit, what you mostly get is a map of residential density. Here's the latest from Spokane, WA where the measure narrowly leads at the moment.
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A. Zivarts @nondriver.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Happy primary day! We're officially launching Nondriver Action, a c4 that works at the intersections of transportation, housing & climate justice. Tomorrow, we'll send out questionnaires for our general election endorsements to all city and county council candidates on the ballot in WA ndaction.org
Nondriver Action fights for the rights of Washingtonians who can’t drive so that no one is left isolated and without a voice.

We work at the intersections of transportation, housing and climate justice to build communities and systems where everyone has the freedom to get to their school, work, healthcare, errands, and friends.

A third of Washington residents are nondrivers. Nondrivers are people with disabilities, people who can’t afford driving, people without valid driver’s licenses, children and youth, and people aging out of driving. 

We care about transportation accessibility because it can make the difference between getting to do the things that connect us to our communities, like running errands, seeing a friend, or getting to an appointment — or being stuck at home and isolated. We need reliable and frequent transit in every community, accessible and safe sidewalks and crossings, and bike lanes and multi-use paths connected to every destination.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Spokane Rising @spokanerising.com · 04/08/2026
There’s still time to return your ballot! Please vote Yes for Buses!
spokanerising.substack.com
Yes for Buses
Proposition 1 protects and expands Spokane Transit for another 20 years.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Lauren @lpangborn.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Gavin Cooley and Larry Stone purport to care about economic development. So why are they shooting themselves in the foot fighting against proven ways of spurring economic development (BUSES AND ROAD DIETS)?
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Kirk Hovenkotter @kirkhovenkotter.com · 30/07/2026
Open up @transit.app in Spokane? You’ll get a nice reminder to vote Yes for Buses on Tuesday!
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
A. Zivarts @nondriver.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Right next to the library where we held our nondriver storytelling event to fight for more Spokane transit funding...this multi-million dollar new and totally unnecessary urban highway construction project. Because Washington State is still stuck in 1953 when it comes to transportation priorities.
Me in front of highway
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Kirk Hovenkotter @kirkhovenkotter.com · 15/07/2026
If you want to prevent them from winning and cutting bus service in Spokane, please donate or sign up to volunteer for the Yes for Buses campaign! www.yesforbuses.org
yesforbuses.org
Yes for Buses! | Support Transit Solutions – Get Involved Now
Support STA Prop #1 with Yes for Buses! Stay informed about local transit projects and initiatives. Get involved or contact us today to make a difference.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Kirk Hovenkotter @kirkhovenkotter.com · 15/07/2026
Just 3 business donors have raised $125k to cut bus service for Spokane’s seniors, youth, & working families. Compare that to the $60k the Yes for Buses campaign has raised. Spokane needs your help
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A. Zivarts @nondriver.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Sidewalks now, dammit.
Person on side of road with walker, no sidewalks
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A. Zivarts @nondriver.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Today!!!
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Spokane Reimagined @spokanereimagined.org · 09/07/2026
We're so excited to be joined by acclaimed author and activist, @nondriver.bsky.social, next week to discuss the experiences of nondrivers. Please join us at The Hive on July 14th from 6:30-7:30 PM!
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A. Zivarts @nondriver.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Transit is Freedom! If you live in the Spokane region, come join me, @spokanereimagined.org and @transpochoices.bsky.social for an event July 14 where I lead a discussion about how reliable, frequent and accessible transit shapes the lives of nondrivers. RSVP bit.ly/transitfreedom
event flyer
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Lauren @lpangborn.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Walking on the Centennial in Kendall Yards has been much more pleasant this week with the Maple St Bridge closed. It’s easy to forget how loud and polluting roads like this are until they’re suddenly quiet
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Lauren @lpangborn.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
The most wholesome event of the summer, Summer Parkways, is TONIGHT from 6-9pm. Come ride/run/walk/roll four miles of closed streets on the south hill! Visit me at 24th and Post. summerparkways.com
summerparkways.com
Spokane Summer Parkways
Taking fitness to the streets!
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Lauren @lpangborn.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Let’s get the word out! LVT reform makes property tax more progressive, and encourages development right where we need it by punishing speculators sitting on urban vacant land. www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
spokesman.com
Most Spokane homeowners would pay less tax under reform proposal. Here's who would pay more
Some Spokane politicians want to replace the existing property tax system with one that shifts tax burden from homes, apartments and many commercial properties and place it instead onto parking lots ...
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
Lauren @lpangborn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
What if Spokane’s existing trail network was branded with signage and maps so that someday the network as a whole could be listed as an amenity on Zillow listings and job descriptions? Starting a new side project to do just that. Hit me up if you want to help! www.rangemedia.co/spokane-trai...
rangemedia.co
Why the greater Spokane area needs a branded regional trail network
What the region can learn about economic development from the Methow Valley and Bentonville
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Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Presented without comment.
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Reposted by Erik Lowe
The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 09/05/2026
NEW OP-ED// Op-Ed: Urging Transit Officials to Join the 2026 Week Without Driving By Anna Zivarts via @theurbanist.org
theurbanist.org
Op-Ed: Urging Transit Officials to Join the 2026 Week Without Driving
Riding the bus regularly can help officials make better policy decisions. Nondrivers Alliance wants your help to invite them to participate in the annual Week Without Driving this fall.
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David Roberts @volts.wtf · 03/05/2026
This take is inarguably correct and people say truly, truly insane things in response.
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Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
I'm so honored to be on the pro-committee!
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James Medlock @jdcmedlock.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Comic panel of Donald Duck and a wide-eyed young Mickey Mouse. Donald's speech bubble: "Democrats should do a huge middle class tax cut to address affordability." Mickey's speech bubble: "Fool that you are, for you treat taxation as a burden rather than the means by which our burdens are eased. Behold a civilization rich in private wealth yet starved of public provision, where every man owns what his grandfathers could not imagine and yet trembles at the thought of how he will weather an illness or loss of livelihood. Will you fight for an affirmative vision of broad contribution and universal benefit? Or will you perish like a dog?"
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Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
media.tenor.com
a man in a white tank top and hat is standing on a boat in the ocean .
ALT: a man in a white tank top and hat is standing on a boat in the ocean .
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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 30/04/2026
If you were asking the question, "who will win, one private business group or almost 100 public commenters?" the answer is the private business group...but it's a "compromise" because some business groups like SBA didn't want to support transit at all
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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 30/04/2026
(if you've ever wondered about the outsized power of business organizations, this is the PRIME example. They swooped in at the eleventh hour, refused to air a position publicly, had a private meeting and have now got the board contemplating adding a sunset.)
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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 30/04/2026
"The public wants to know that their input matters," Cathcart said, and once you pass a tax renewal without a sunset, public input won't matter. (So far all public input - including more than 80 emails - was unanimously in favor of the tax renewal without a sunset.)
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Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Fix this accountability loophole with one neat trick (members of the transit-riding public as voting members).
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Spokane Rising @spokanerising.com · 16/04/2026
The politicians on the STA Board are considering delaying a sales tax reauthorization to (ugh) create space for a jail ballot measure. Please use this tool to send them a note urging them to move forward with reauthorization today. Only takes 30 seconds!
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Spokane Reimagined @spokanereimagined.org · 15/04/2026
Tell Spokane Transit's Board "Don't Delay the STA Reauthorization Vote!" actionnetwork.org/letters/dont...
actionnetwork.org
Don't Delay the STA Reauthorization Vote
Even after receiving hundreds of emails and in-person testimony from over a dozen individuals at their March meeting, the Spokane Transit Authority Board of Directors is still not committed to present...
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K.H.I. @sheridesabike.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
This. Every state or federal highway should be served with frequent transit 7 days a week.
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Mike Eliason @holz-bau.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
shade is good folks
trellis with greenery shading a window on a warm day
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Daniel Warwick @danielmwarwick.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Electric bendy boi and a double tall. Spokane has it all!
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