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Peter Chowla

@pchowla.bsky.social
147 followers 243 following 88 posts

Working @UNDESA on #fin4dev.

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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
This is when Bluesky needs an unlike button.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
This happens basically every summer - some section of 2nd Ave is milled, and then becomes unsafe for cyclists (b/c both vehicles on the left curb and uneven surface). We need protected #bikeNYC lane on 5th Ave, and to reopen East River esplanade! @nyc.streetsblog.org @transalt.org @openplans.org
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Frustrated #bikeNYC cyclist again this summer as @nyc-dot.bsky.social resurfacing work on 2nd Avenue has basically eliminated all safe protect bike access to midtown and downtown from a large swathe of the city. There is no redundancy in the bike network. @nycbikelanes.bsky.social
Map of sections of Manhattan with no safe downtown bike access
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A lot of these are commercial vehicles doing deliveries. But the city lets them off easy with negotiated cheap fines for illegal parking. Instead we need better enforcement with higher or escalating fines to keep our bus lanes free and our buses fast! @nyc-dot.bsky.social @mta.info
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
But @nypdnews.bsky.social is not giving many bus lane tickets or citation. See the coverage from @sammysussman.bsky.social @realgershkuntzman.bsky.social in Streetsblog. Latest from last Friday... nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/08/14/f...
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
As you can see in some of these photos the blockers stack up on each other - meaning that the bus lane cameras, if working, will not even catch many of the drivers since their license plates will not be visible. Plus US Postal Service vehicles don't have license plates.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Amazingly the lane was blocked even more in the afternoon than my usual morning ride into the office. In the mornings when I have counted the bus lane blockages are usually 15-20.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
As a reminder bus lane on 2nd Avenue runs operational from 2 pm! But not the case if you ask these drivers. Who dont care about bus riders. @ridersalliance.org
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A thread of bus lane blockage to again ask @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social @mayor.nyc.gov to save our buses which are constantly blocked by rogue drivers slowing down the bus trip for 1000s. This 🧵is Southbound 2nd Ave at about 3:30 pm on a Tuesday: 25 vehicles blocking the bus! @nyc.streetsblog.org
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
You might ask why I care as I clearly #bikenyc. Of course I don't always bike to work - when the weather is bad I take the bus. And I am just sick of selfish drivers in this city. Where are all the "law and order" people who want to ban e-bikes? Why aren't they up in arms about bus lane violations?
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
And a follow-up by @realgershkuntzman.bsky.social on 11 August. nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/08/11/t.... To answer Gersh's question I could write about about 90 tickets a week just on my way to work!
nyc.streetsblog.org
Tuesday's Headlines: Hot Weather, Sluggish Cops Edition - Streetsblog New York City
How many bus lane tickets could you write in a week? Plus other news.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Got motivated after reading the good @nyc.streetsblog.org work by @sammysussman.bsky.social on how many bus lane violations the whole of NYPD is writing each week from 31 July. Spoiler alert: less than I could spot on a simple 10 minute bike ride to work. nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/07/31/t...
nyc.streetsblog.org
The Few: Cops Wrote Just 32 Tickets to Drivers Blocking Bus And Bike Lanes Last Week - Streetsblog New York City
Across the more than 6,300 miles of roadway throughout New York City, the NYPD's nearly 34,000 officers ticketed only 32 drivers for blocking bus and bike lanes between July 20 andt 26.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
I counted 18 different vehicles blocking the bus lane on 2nd Avenue! This is an insane number given that NYPD wrote just 10 tickets for bus lane blocking in a week! My images are almost all in the 30 blocks between 90th and 60th. No. 18 today between 62nd and 61st St.
Vehicle in a bus lane
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Commercial loading zones are all over city but drivers don't care about using them because the fines are too small and infrequent. The cameras on buses issuing violations are supposed to fix this but I doubt the fines are high enough.
Vehicle in a bus laneVehicle in a bus laneVehicle in a bus laneVehicle in a bus lane
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
I am only posting 4 pictures each time to make this thread. Its clear that the majority are commercial vehicles making deliveries. This is something the city knows how to fix: commercial loading zones.
Vehicle (an e-bike) in a bus laneVehicle in a bus laneVehicle in a bus laneVehicle in a bus lane
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Blocked bus lanes in commute hours are a major problem in NYC. If @mayor.nyc.gov wants to speed up buses, clear bus lanes are essential. So I started counting number of blocking vehicles I see in my short bike commute to work. In just 10 minutes ride today I counted 18 bus lane blockers.
Truck in a bus laneVehicle in a bus laneVehicle in a bus laneVehicle in a bus lane
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
"The exceptions are Sweden, Uzbekistan and Côte d’Ivoire, who should all probably be watching their backs right now, particularly you, Sweden." Very readable commentary by @barneyronay.bsky.social
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
"World Cup is being contested by 48 nations. At some point in its relentlessly feisty imperial history, England or Britain have either invaded, occupied or taken military action against 44 of them (albeit this requires the broadest definition of all these things). www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Enjoying the World Cup? Well it’s time for England, but this is a team less weighed down by its past | Barney Ronay
Tuchel’s multicultural squad are less burdened by narrative than previous teams and can embrace the chance to live in the moment
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
The BQE and and I95 are literally crumbling... but I'm tempted to say that's progress.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Also not bikeable... Hence the big fight over the $100+ tickets for the dedicate train to the stadium. gothamist.com/news/i-tried...
gothamist.com
I tried cycling to MetLife ahead of the World Cup
It was sketchy!
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Reposted by Peter Chowla
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 29/05/2026
From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City and a long-time supporter of Arsenal, writes about what it means to see Arsenal win the Premier League trophy and his hopes for Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.  nyti.ms/4uFlFzO
Zohran Mamdani speaking to a crowd wearing a long Arsenal-branded garment. Quote from him about how he became an Arsenal fan: “For those of us with African roots, Arsenal represented something larger.”
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Maybe even @tariqpanja.bsky.social would do NYC a solid and report on this failure?
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Wondering if any journalists will follow up on this and ask the mayor? @thecity.nyc ? @gothamist.com ? @clewisreports.bsky.social @katiehonan.bsky.social
reddit.com
From the uppereastside community on Reddit: Tried getting some of the $50 World Cup tickets and our zip code was not allowed to participate
Explore this post and more from the uppereastside community
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Have seen this confirmed in multiple reddit posts: www.reddit.com/r/WorldCup20... www.reddit.com/r/uppereasts...
reddit.com
From the WorldCup2026Tickets community on Reddit: Nyc Residents Tickets
Explore this post and more from the WorldCup2026Tickets community
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Very disappointed in @mayor.nyc.gov implementation of World Cup ticket registration. The website would not let me submit because it did not recognize my very valid Manhattan zip code of 10128. @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social failed.
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Reposted by Peter Chowla
Arsenal FC @arsenalfc.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
The Arsenal. Your Premier League champions.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
🤣 As if NYPD cares about the functionality of the bus lane... 🤣🤣 Have you ever tried to take a bus down 2nd Avenue at rush hour??
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
@mayor.nyc.gov where are you going to watch the Arsenal celebrate being premier league champions on the final match day? Join @arsenalnyc.bsky.social for the final game? @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
📢 Out NOW: The 2026 Financing for Sustainable Development Report! Developing countries face a financing squeeze from combined and increasing shocks. Explore the full report with solutions to close the $4 trillion financing gap. 🔗 financing.desa.un.org/iatf/report/... #FinancingOurFuture
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Reposted by Peter Chowla
Transportation Alternatives @transalt.org · 04/03/2026
Nobody has the right to put millions of other people in danger. Yet that’s exactly what these drivers are doing on a near-daily basis — the top 10 super speeders in New York were caught by school zone speed cameras an average of 179 times each, at least once every other day.
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Reposted by Peter Chowla
Transportation Alternatives @transalt.org · 17/02/2026
"Luxury vehicles accounted for 40% of super speeders last year, despite representing only about 25% of cars on city streets, the analysis found. Among the 1,000 worst offenders, 52% drive luxury vehicles, with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi being the most common brands."
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Reposted by Peter Chowla
Transportation Alternatives @transalt.org · 05/01/2026
Today in the New York Times: "One year after the start of congestion pricing, traffic jams are less severe, streets are safer, and commute times are improving for travelers from well beyond Manhattan."
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
In @nytimes.com: Convert free street parking to a paid system to pay for free buses. As an economist, taxing things that cause social harm is sound policy. This is not radical either... I remember you could even charge for parking in early 90s versions of SimCity! www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | This Is How Mamdani Can Pay for Free Buses
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
When I was a tourist in Barcelona I had to use Lime bikes, which were too expensive. For Netherlands - the trick is to preorder a swapfiets 1-month subscription and then cancel it on the day you collect the bike. Cost €19.90 for up to 1 month. This is a good deal even for a 3-4 day stay.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
As new lines with hopefully state of the art signaling, headways could be <2min. I don't think interlining would really be a problem.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
Long run gain to have Midtown East connected (2nd Ave subway afterall) to Upper Manhattan. And very long term to the entire East Side of Manhattan. Plus current demand is not the upper limit. Many more large apartments buildings will be built in East Harlem as the area becomes better connected.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
Ultimately the "Q" is not meant for Midtown West. Medium term there is cross town in Harlem volume; East Side going to Columbia/ Barnard or other places on the upper west, and all upper Manhattan that may want to go to east side.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Yes please! Q needs to go all the way Broadway & 125th. Please let us have nice things…
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
The candidates for these posts should have in-depth substantive knowledge of international tax cooperation and deep technical experience related to the topic(s) of their instrument. #hiring #internationaltax #taxcooperation
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
The UN Framework Convention and its protocols will shape international tax for decades to come and these people in each of these posts will lead the technical work for the specific instrument listed. These are exciting jobs that will have real impact.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
A third posting for a Senior Economic Affairs Officer is going live soon: • careers.un.org/jobSearchDes... (Protocol on the prevention and resolution of tax disputes)
careers.un.org
UN Careers
United Nations
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
The Senior Economic Affairs Officer posts are: • careers.un.org/jobSearchDes... (Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation) • careers.un.org/jobSearchDes... (Protocol on the taxation of income derived from the provision of cross-border services) Deadline for both posts is 10 March!
careers.un.org
UN Careers
United Nations
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
My office at the United Nations continues to build the secretariat team to support the critical global work to negotiate a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation. We have three senior level jobs open now (and more junior posts also online). #hiring #internationaltax
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Really good to see more mainstream media such as @theguardian.com covering global geopolitics combined with looking at the economic implications! Diplomacy is getting harder, but the UN's work on a new international convention on tax is really important! www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on a tax war: the world must unite against American obstruction | Editorial
Editorial: Donald Trump’s threats to global tax reform have backfired, leaving the US isolated as nations push ahead with a new UN tax convention
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Full house this morning for the opening of the third PrepCom for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development! Follow online at: webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1j... #FFD4 #financing4development #SDGs
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Principle Economic Affairs Officer Deadline: 13 February 2025 careers.un.org/jobSearchDes... #hiring #internationaltax #taxcooperation
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
This is an exciting opportunity to have real impact on the world to bring more fairness to the economic system. Job is open to economists, lawyers, tax cooperation practitioners, and others who should have a vision for the work and a feel for how to work with countries to achieve sound agreements.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
This work, mandated and funded by the UN General Assembly, seeks to develop a fully inclusive and effective international tax system. If successful, the Framework Convention and is protocols will shape international tax for decades to come.
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
The biggest & most important job in international tax was just opened. The UN is looking to hire a senior leader to head up the Secretariat to the negotiations on the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation. #hiring #internationaltax #taxcooperation careers.un.org/jobSearchDes...
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Peter Chowla @pchowla.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Remember: Unless your organization is in consultative status with ECOSOC or has been previously accredited to FFD Conferences (Monterrey, Doha, or Addis Ababa), your organization must apply for special accreditation for FFD4. Accreditation for other UN Conf (e.g., COP) does not transfer to FFD4.
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