A green graphic with the Lime scootershare and bikeshare logo says

Yearly Archives: 2025

Cleveland hold the microphone on the floor and has blond hair and glasses. On the Annette Cleveland desk behind her is a bouquet of flowers.

Washington Senate OKs Rent Stabilization Bill After Gutting It

On Thursday, the Washington State Senate took the leap and approved a rent stabilization bill, but first senators gutted it with provisions that quickly earned the ire of tenant advocates. An original 7% cap on annual rent increases could instead rise to 20% or more.
A dozen people gather in the courtyard plaza between the buildings that compose El Centro de La Raza complex.

Tickets Going Fast for Seattle Housing Panel and Other Urbanist Events

We've expanded capacity to our "Future of Seattle Housing" panel at El Centro de la Raza. RSVP soon to save your ticket before we run out. And check out our other April events.
Two riders push off to accelerate on their Lime scooters on the Second Avenue protected bike lane in Belltown.

Seattle’s Scooter and Bikeshare Boom Reaches New Heights

Seattle bikeshare and scootershare companies clocked 6.3 million rides in 2024, up 28% over 2023 and a record high. The momentum has continued in the first quarter of 2025, with ridership up 76% over the first quarter of 2024. If this pace is maintained, Seattle is on track to exceed 10 million rides in 2025.
Five people on bike wait in a green bike lane at a major intersection with car whizzing by and pedestrians waiting on the corner.

Op-Ed: Anti-Speeding Technology Could Have Saved My Son

Lori Markovitz shares how House Bill 1596 could have saved her son by requiring anti-speeding technology for motorists with records of reckless driving. The bill needs to pass the state Senate by Wednesday to avoid a cutoff and become law in Washington state.

Five Things to Watch at Sound Transit Under CEO Dow Constantine

Expectations are high for longtime board member Dow Constantine's new job as Sound Transit CEO. Here's what The Urbanist's newsroom has at top-of-mind in the months ahead.

Sunday Video: How Big Box Retailers Are Bankrupting Cities

Big box stores are hollowing out North American cities, reinforcing sprawl and driving, destroying local businesses, and financially draining communities. Jason Slaughter of Not Just Bikes explains all that and more in his latest video.

City of Seattle Prevails Against Housing Growth Plan Appeals

Hearing Examiner Ryan Vancil dismissed all appeals of Seattle's growth plan. Despite a myriad of issues raised by six appellants, the proposal will move forward thanks to a recently passed state law intended to prevent predatory delay of housing plans.
A handful of passenger wait or deboard a MAX light rail train on Morrison Street in Downtown Portland.

Op-Ed: Clark County Rallies Against Republican Plan to Block Light Rail

After the last attempt to replace the I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver stalled out due to Clark County Republicans’ opposition to bringing MAX light rail across the river, proponents hoped to have better luck, but a similar debate is erupting. The C-Tran board is set to vote Tuesday on funding MAX operations.