Sign in

Grant Olsen

@grantaskswhy.bsky.social
50 followers 128 following 219 posts

traffic psychologist, street design fixer, audio polisher, transit rider, bicycle rider

PostsRepliesMedia
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The batteries in your TV remote are dead? You replace them. What if one of the battery cells in your #ebike battery fails? Gouach achieved repairability with their Infinite Battery. #EasyToRepair #RepairMovement #Sustainability #UserRepairable @gouach.bsky.social #ReduceWaste
031
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Happy #ParkingDay! Comfortable seating and a chat about how pervious concrete can help stormwater management. I met with some friendly folks from Urban Habitat Chicago. Their display is near 5038 N Lincoln Ave. until about 5 p.m.
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Amazing how leaders will provide thousands of tons of hard protection for race spectators from fast drivers, but not for protecting pedestrians from fast everyday drivers. Washington D.C. Freedom 250 Grand Prix #SafeStreets concrete bollard Jersey barrier #TrafficViolence #VisionZero
010
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Everything's fine. #ClimateEmergency #ClimateChange hydropower #HooverDam www.popularmechanics.com/science/ener...
001
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
$5,300,000,000 profit 5 billion dollars profit by BP in just three months. I am considering having this banner made. Forgive the #AIslop
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Need a #BikeJoy song for your #BikeBus playlist? "Amsterdam" song by Dan Abrahams with the truth that safe streets for kids and adults are a policy decision made by mayors and city council members. Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTma... #SafeRoutes #SchoolRun #FamilyCycling Jan Kamensky
010
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
A survey developed by a traffic consultant asked people about changing a four-way stop to either * two-way stop (less safe) * traffic circle (more safe) Of course, people don't want to stop. #UnCivilEngineering for pedestrians and bicycle riders
011
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Video: MetLife Stadium, site of the World Cup final on July 19, almost disappears from view on July 16 due to smoke from climate change wildfires currently consuming Canada. BBC timelapse. #AirQuality #AirPollution #ClimateChange New Jersey soccer New York City PM2.5 particulate matter
021
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Once you look for bollards, you realize how many more non-human items we protect than humans. Meanwhile, street clear zones get breakaway posts because some traffic engineers don't want to hurt drivers. Pedestrians and bicycle riders in the path of the car projectile get injured. #KineticEnergy
Electrical outlets and a water spigot in a parking lot are surrounded by four bollards that have a yellow plastic covering.
010
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
to know what Seth Meyers will say during his 'A Closer Look' segment about the late Senator Lindsey Graham. People are remembered for what they did and said. Like the time Graham asked for legally-cast ballots to be thrown out. @salgentile.bsky.social Roll the tape youtu.be/qgVCQ_jsWQk?...
001
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
If the price of "Women Changing Cities" by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com makes you hesitate, you're not getting a standard book. Over 60% of the pages have a color photo, giving a sense of the vibrant life created by leaders who made progress for human-friendlier cities. urbanism
0121
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
'Very Unhealthy' and 'Unhealthy' air designations in the Fort Lauderdale area after fireworks. [ 200 plus ] particulate matter PM2.5 6 a.m. 7/5/26 includes Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Dania Beach, Boca Raton Declare your freedom from air pollution. #PublicHealth #FLwx
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Unhealthy air in the Omaha, Nebraska metro after fireworks. 180 particulate matter PM2.5 6 a.m. 7/5/26 includes Papillion, Elkhorn, Bellevue, Offutt Air Force Base Declare your freedom from air pollution. #PublicHealth #iawx #newx
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Hi, @trimet.org. Doesn't Red MAX serve Millikan?
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Amazon, one of the largest logistics companies in the U.S., hasn't had a single update on the status of a package in over 120 hours??
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
When almost everything on the radio is anti-local and pumped in from outside the community, it's no wonder fewer and fewer people in that community listen to radio. 📍iHeart Des Moines
At the edge of an empty parking lot, there is a sign that reads iHeart Media Employee Parking Only.
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
My heart goes out to Kansas and Missouri tonight. Straight-line winds caused considerable property damage (every square = storm report) in the dense Kansas City metro tonight. The storms are now approaching Columbia and Jefferson City. Threat tagged Considerable #kswx #mowx #ClimateEmergency
A screenshot of a weather radar image of central Missouri. There are yellow polygons overlayed that indicate the position of severe thunderstorm warnings between Kansas City and Jefferson City. There are green polygons indicating where creeks and rivers have flood warnings.
010
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Cities aren't loud. Gasoline generators emitting exhaust and noise on a main street where city leadership could install more outlets for the farmer's market happening 24 times a year are loud.
020
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Now streaming: The fight over a Greenpoint, Brooklyn bicycle lane / traffic calming project on McGuinness Boulevard. Watch the documentary "Changing Lanes" on Kanopy. Your public library card probably gets you free access. @emilyassembly.bsky.social Emily Gallagher @shabazzstuart.bsky.social
031
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Now streaming: The fight over a bicycle lane / traffic calming project on McGuinness Boulevard. Watch the documentary "Changing Lanes" on Kanopy. Your public library card probably gets you free access. featuring: @henrygrabar.bsky.social @jonorcutt.bsky.social @realgershkuntzman.bsky.social
021
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Now streaming: The fight over a bicycle lane / traffic calming project on McGuinness Boulevard. Watch the documentary "Changing Lanes" on Kanopy. Your public library card probably gets you free access. featuring: Janette Sadik-Khan @jessiesinger.bsky.social @familiesforsafestreets.org
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Now streaming: The story of the fight over a bicycle lane / traffic calming project on McGuinness Boulevard. Watch the documentary "Changing Lanes" on Kanopy. Your public library card probably gets you free access. featuring Janette Sadik-Khan @jskstreet.bsky.social #SafeStreets #VisionZero
020
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
If you don't want to give $ to Amaz0n, maybe your public library card gets you free access to watch the Ben Wolf documentary "Changing Lanes" on Kanopy. featuring David Byrne and Janette Sadik-Khan The story of the fight over a bicycle lane / traffic calming project on McGuinness Boulevard.
010
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
If you don't want to give $ to Amaz0n, maybe your public library card gets you free access to watch the Ben Wolf documentary "Changing Lanes" on Kanopy. featuring David Byrne and Janette Sadik-Khan The story of the fight over a bicycle lane / traffic calming project on McGuinness Boulevard.
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
If you don't want to give $ to Amaz0n, maybe your public library card gets you free access to watch the Ben Wolf documentary "Changing Lanes" on Kanopy. featuring David Byrne and Janette Sadik-Khan The story of the fight over a bicycle lane / traffic calming project on McGuinness Boulevard.
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
If you don't want to give $ to Amaz0n, maybe your public library card gets you free access to watch the Ben Wolf documentary "Changing Lanes" on Kanopy. featuring David Byrne and Janette Sadik-Khan The story of the fight over a bicycle lane / traffic calming project on McGuinness Boulevard.
051
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
If you see this, quote post with a picture of the longest item you moved with a bicycle or tricycle.
0121
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Bollards or anything of significant weight help prevent projectile vehicles from causing physical injuries to people. The #KineticEnergy for this instance is a car driver and police chase in the Omaha metro that ended at a roof support and pile of lumber at a Home Depot. #SiteProtection
100
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
The Urban Bicycle Design Guide is about $12 cheaper direct from @princetonupress.bsky.social than Amazon if you use promo code SPRING50 by 6/9/2026 at midnight ET Should work on all pre-2026 Island Press books including Walkable City Rules @jeffspeck.bsky.social #NACTO26
195
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
"Honey, would you please move the car into the backyard? I want to project the recording of the joint @thewaroncars.bsky.social and @modacitylife.com lecture in Florida." #TongueInCheek
010
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Closing a bridge for shooting a car commercial to advertise conditions ... that don't exist. #FalseAdvertising #BridgeClosure motonormativity
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
A car driver injured at least four people when they crashed into Mama's Pizza restaurant this evening in Omaha, Nebraska, per Facebook page Sarpy Scanner. Code Trauma for some of the people seriously injured in the collision. #DriverDamage #KineticEnergy #TrafficViolence
The aftermath of a car driver crash into a restaurant. The car is fully inside the building. The first room damaged is labeled Game Room by a neon sign. A firefighter in turnout gear standing next to the driver's door which is open. One of the TVs is showing a March Madness NCAA tournament game. One of the TVs is showing a hockey game. Tables and chairs are tipped over or upside down.
011
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
A nudge. Reducing trips and falls caused by luggage on escalators is the aim of D.C. WMATA transit. The video post-install of the bollard would be fascinating. How many will lift their bag over this squeeze point? How many bollard collision injuries? How often will the elevator be unavailable?
A bollard front and centered near the entrance to an escalator which goes up. The photo is taken from the height of the top of the bollard. There are symbols on the bollard which direct people with large luggage, child strollers, scooters, or bicycles to use the nearby elevator instead of the escalator. The photo was taken at the Dulles International Airport subway station in Virginia for Washington D.C. area transit provider WMATA.
010
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
To the sinkhole that swallowed two vehicles in Omaha today near 67th and Pacific Street ... ... welcome to @thewaroncars.bsky.social
020
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
These aren't powered by solar or wind. Fossil fuels power these snow-melting hot tubs in NYC, Boston, Baltimore. #ClimateEmergency DSNY snow melter
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
We have a visibility problem in regards to vehicle emissions. If exhaust was required to be visible all the time, our GHG problem would be more apparent and we might take faster action.
021
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
I sigh every time a truck trailer drags snow into pavement previously clear.
010
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Recommend a good duffel bag. Or these insulated reusable bags are available on Amazon item B06XJNKMGW
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
City of Oxford, MS Sunday 3:51 a.m. "Utilities has made the difficult decision to pull our crews ... The situation is currently too dangerous ... Trees are actively snapping and falling ... cannot clear the lines faster than the limbs are falling." #WinterStorm outage #IceStorm #OleMiss
Screenshot of a Facebook post from the City of Oxford, Mississippi on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 3:51 a.m.

The text reads Due to life-threatening conditions, Oxford Utilities has made the difficult decision to pull our crews off the road for the night.
The situation is currently too dangerous to continue. Trees are actively snapping and falling around our linemen while they are in the bucket trucks. We simply cannot clear the lines faster than the limbs are falling.
We will resume full operations at first light. Please stay safe and stay inside.
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
For clearing snow from back-of-curb sidewalks, Metal Pless offers a sidewalk option for their MaxxPro blade. [ public works #PedestrianDignity ]
010
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
If I were a public works operations manager, I would test the effectiveness / speed of clearing snow from bus stops with a wheeled excavator that has a dozer blade. Try two different arm attachments. Model pictured (Hyundai HW100A has top speed of 24 mph / 38 kph. [ windrow #PedestrianDignity ]
100
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
If you're having a bicycle event where you want some connectedness with your snacks, GoGo squeeZ has some pedal-themed pouches. 6 'Pedal Peach' in a 12-count organic pack. UPC 48860 04932 #BikeJoy
100
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
The common disembodied "Car Hits Pedestrian" came to mind when I saw this headline.
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
What states are people moving to? - a booming bicycle culture (2 in 5 people moving to Arkansas pick Bentonville) - a state where bicycle riders can yield at stop signs (Idaho) Are people choosing #BikeJoy? www.axios.com/2025/12/15/m...
021
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
The three largest sources of heavy crude oil are Venezuela, Canada, and Russia. If you were a bully who wanted oil, you would target the weakest kid on the school yard. [ Nicolas Madura ]
A world map with text labels on Canada, Venezuela, and Russia.
012
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
If you ever have someone mention that a quick-build traffic chicane is ugly, it's because they envision flex posts. If they say they're too expensive and slow to deploy: a chicane can be created for under $800 with American-made materials. Deployed in about an hour.
Two images. The top image is a typical suburban residential street in North America. The bottom image is the top image plus four flower planter wood boxes on the pavement. The position of the planter boxes requires drivers to weave left and right.
020
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Safety-minded municipalities place their traffic signals very close to the stop line to discourage drivers from stopping too far forward.
000
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Two kids killed by school bus drivers in Maine about four weeks apart. There are many contributing factors in vehicle crashes. Front blind spots caused by hoods are easy to fix with policies favoring better design choices. #VisionZero NTSB
Illustration compares the front blind spot between a rear engine flat front bus and the traditional front engine hood.
020
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
#BlackFriday at Walmart in Ames, Iowa Our minimum parking requirements are unnecessary. #BlackFridayParking
0273
Grant Olsen @grantaskswhy.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
#BlackFriday at Target in Ames, Iowa Our minimum parking requirements are unnecessary. #BlackFridayParking
1356