James Thomas (www.threads.com/@james_c_thomas)

Now back to Threads. If you are using it too, find me there with the same username.

My post yesterday morning on Threads got well over 500 likes and 35 replies so far. Even though I have many more followers here, It's been a very long time since I've seen that type of engagement on Twitter. Hopefully more people from #biketwitter will make the switch.

Bike trips in the USA rose 37% from 2019 to 2022. link.axios.com/click/33001574…

@davidhalesmith @Surly_Bikes That's a mirror on the left. I have a single chainring, so only one @Gevenalle CX shifter on the front of the right brake lever. I love that set-up on my commuter bike for reliable shifting in all weather conditions.

@james_c_thomas @Surly_Bikes Dig those bar end shifters!

You can’t kill Cross-Check. It lives. It breathes. It feeds. It breeds. It’s a steel cockroach. Cross-Check always finds a way.

@2_Wheeled_Wolf By the way, after a few days not checking Twitter/X, I had 27 notifications. One was a real comment from you, and the rest were all likes from spam bots. It's a shame, because I used to really love Twitter.

@2_Wheeled_Wolf I just followed you on Bluesky. I'm @ jamescthomas.bsky.social there. I'm not completely leaving Twitter either, but just checking it less since I took it off my phone.

I think it is time to remove Twitter/X/whatever this is from my phone. I've met some really great people here over the course of 15 years, and I hope to see many of you over on Threads. Find me there at @james_c_thomas" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">threads.net/@james_c_thomas

A few shots from my #bikecommute... hands down the best way to start, and end, the work day.

@samj_day Protected bike lanes and a network of greenway paths would go a long way toward enticing more Americans to give up their cars. It would alleviate congestion for drivers too if more people were choosing alternatives to a single occupancy vehicle commute.

@samj_day I ride to work regardless of weather conditions too, but I do understand why the majority of Americans fear riding on the roads. In most of the US, car-centric infrastructure is hostile to cyclists and pedestrians, and most drivers are watching their phones more than the road.

@pattyboge It sounds to me like she just wants two bikes.

Morning commute ☀️

@kairyssdal After so many years, it's hard to leave Twitter (or whatever it's called these days). I've been using Threads more too though. I have a Bluesky account too, but Threads is more active...at least for me.

One of the craziest findings in urban planning is that you can reach more jobs faster by car in Dutch cities than American cities — *and* walking, cycling, and transit are faster in Dutch cities. Building cities for cars fails even cars. @BrentToderian nature.com/articles/s4294…

@Henryz_mom We are on the same team, and I TRULY appreciate your perspective. I have lost a couple of close friends and my grandmother to traffic violence, but I can't imagine losing a child. One of my kids rides a bike for transportation, and two drive small cars. I worry about all of them

@james_c_thomas It's ultimately helpful to have these discussions. I believe this. It helps clarify issues and hone messaging. I know we are on the same team here. And that we pissed each other off. I'll delete my retweet in a few minutes.

The notion that pedestrians and cyclists are the primary victims of road violence is alive and well and growing. Friends - many many more people are killed while inside of a vehicle every single day in the US. Road violence is a problem for ALL road users.

@Henryz_mom I am truly sorry for your loss, and I am sorry if I wasn't clear. I have the same goal as you, and I shouldn't argue while I'm still so angry. I will always continue to fight for safe roads for all, and that includes pointing out the vehicle bloat that is hurting drivers too.

@james_c_thomas Ok - and I watched my son die inside of a Suburu Forester. And he didn't stand a chance either. I'm sensing from you and a few others a belief that those who die inside of a vehicle made the choice to drive and so kind-of deserve it.

@Henryz_mom You are twisting my words. I have lost friends and family members on bikes and in cars, and DO NOT value one life over another. I do believe that negligent driver in a big lifted trucks who kill others should be held accountable, and that those vehicles pose a greater danger.

Given that road wear scales with axle weight to the 4th power (RW=kg^4) and these large vehicles are 4 - 8 times more likely to kill other road users, $30 is practically symbolic. These fees should be thousands.

A recipe for great streets: • Buildings close together and close to the street • Narrow lanes • Street trees Anything else?

@Henryz_mom I guess that is the part of your original statement that I don't fully agree with. You said road violence is a problem for ALL road users, but it's not an equal problem. Many people choose to stack the odds in their favor by driving large, heavy vehicles with limited sightlines.

@Henryz_mom A good friend of mine was killed by a driver last week. He was on his bike and didn't stand a chance against the big, heavy truck that hit him. Those who choose to drive oversized 3 ton vehicles are technically at some risk too, but they are making a choice to endanger others.