peter k

peter k

@peterskim.org

Living the car-free dream in Philly. Philly public school parent. Brompton Bicycles are the ultimate urban life hack. I mostly talk about Philly stuff.

849 followers220 following3.4K posts

peter k
@peterskim.org

I wanted to start listening to radio again. But I didn’t want to just stream it over the internet. Apparently I need to get a better antenna for my stereo receiver to get OTA FM radio, so for now I’ll just stream @wxpnfm.bsky.social over my HomePod.

peter k
@peterskim.org

What some Philly principals are doing to limit cell phone use in their schools seems entirely reasonable yet the state government insists on imposing a one-size-fits-all rule on every school and student in the state. 😢

Chalkbeat@chalkbeat.org

Some Philly principals adopted their own versions of the ban, but others allowed students to use cellphones at lunch and for some class assignments. The new state law will end that flexibility.

bit.lyPennsylvania now has a statewide school cellphone ban. Here's what it means for Philly students.Some Philly principals adopted their own versions of the ban, but others allowed students to use cellphones at lunch and for some class assignments. The new state law will end that flexibility.
peter k
@peterskim.org

Somehow we made it work and my wife even stayed at home with the kids. No day care costs but only one income. We saved very little during those years. Life got easier when we moved to Hoboken. Apts had dishwasher and laundry. Free full day pre-k starting at age 3. Nicer parks and playgrounds.

peter k
@peterskim.org

I don’t know if it’s actually harder for 30 somethings in 2026 than it was in 2010 to start a family in NYC. But now that I’ve moved to Philly, I think a lot of middle class 30-somethings in NYC might find life easier if they move to Philly. Lower cost of living, less chaotic environment.

peter k
@peterskim.org

I had my kids in my early 30s in NYC in the early 2010s. It was hard finding bigger apartments for our growing family, competing against 3-4 working singles rooming together. Most apts didn’t have a dishwasher or laundry. I remember going to the laundromat every other day to wash cloth diapers!

peter k
@peterskim.org

I've had shingles for just over 2 weeks and it's brutal. During the worst 3 days of it, I had sharp shooting pains on the side of my body every minute or so. And after that, as soon as I think I'm getting better, something else will come up like swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, and now dry mouth.

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peter k
@peterskim.org

Younger people typically don't get shingles anymore because they came out with a chicken pox vaccine in the mid 90s. Almost everyone born before the 1990s naturally caught chicken pox and are at much higher risk for shingles. If you're 50 and older, get the shingles vaccine if you haven't already.

peter k
@peterskim.org

I'm sad because October is my favorite month of the year. It's the best time of year to ride bikes, do outdoorsy stuff, etc. The weather has been gorgeous in Philly. And I've been stuck inside for most of it. :(

peter k
@peterskim.org

I've had shingles for just over 2 weeks and it's brutal. During the worst 3 days of it, I had sharp shooting pains on the side of my body every minute or so. And after that, as soon as I think I'm getting better, something else will come up like swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, and now dry mouth.

peter k
@peterskim.org

It's such a scary condition. Basically if you've had chicken pox before, the herpes virus lays dormant in your nerve tissue for decades, then can suddenly get reactivated. Usually it's a result of stress or a weakened immune system, but sometimes it's random like in my case.

peter k
@peterskim.org

Sometimes I hear people say they want to live in a walkable neighborhood with good transit and bike infrastructure but they can’t because it’s too expensive. But I don’t think there’s actually that much of a gap when you factor in living in a smaller home and having one or two fewer cars.

peter k
@peterskim.org

If you have the expectation of being able to live in a 2400 square foot home with front and back yards, that’s going to be prohibitively expensive in most walkable neighborhoods. But if you’re willing to live in a smaller apartment or townhouse with less or no outdoor space, that might be doable.

peter k
@peterskim.org

Having at least one less car can save hundreds to over $1000 per month—money that can be put towards rent or mortgage in a more walkable neighborhood.

peter k
@peterskim.org

I thought Sixers tix would be crazy expensive but there are a lot of tix available under $50 for tonight’s game. One of the perks of living just 4 subway stops from the Sports Complex is I can buy last minute resale tix 30 minutes before game time and make it there on time.

peter k
@peterskim.org

The Trump administration gave companies a free pass to pollute with cancer causing gases. This article lets you see if one of those sites are near you. There’s one in Philly in the Bridesburg neighborhood owned by AdvanSix. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/24/c...

peter k
@peterskim.org

That’s the only one in the Philly metro area but this would be an interesting local deep dive to get from the @inquirer.com on what the impact of the emissions exemption is on Philly and the folks who live in and around Bridesburg. I’d be pissed to know this was happening in my neighborhood.

peter k reposted

Alex Schieferdecker
@alexschief.bsky.social

Replying to @alexschief.bsky.social

A week or so late to this, but here it is! This fall, Minneapolis Public Works crews are constructing dozens of treatments like this, as well as median islands, as a part of our Neighborhood Traffic Calming, Vision Zero, and other related programs.

peter k
@peterskim.org

Public schools in cities, including Philadelphia.

Michael Druker 🇨🇦@mdruker.app

Social media loves talking about how everything is getting worse. But what’s something that you’ve seen get _better_ in your lifetime?

peter k
@peterskim.org

It’s insulated pizza bag season! I never order food delivery. When you live in a dense, walkable, neighborhood like Passyunk Sq in Philly, there’s really no need to get food delivered. I can get good pizza, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, and more by walking. Tonight, it’s Mexican pizza from Rosario’s!

peter k
@peterskim.org

I bought a record player just over a year ago and I now have almost 40 records in my collection. They’re almost all from lesser known independent artists. One of my main reasons I wanted to get into records because it’s a way to support artists. I didn’t want to keep buying tshirts. 😁

peter k
@peterskim.org

Some of my faves: - Over the Rhine, Good Dog Bad Dog. My favorite album of all time. Found it used at a record shop in Philly! - Rachel Bobbitt, Swimming Through the Sand. A random show I saw at Milkboy. Canadian indie folk artist who should be a star. - The Innocence Mission, Small Planes.

peter k
@peterskim.org

I'm not opposed to getting kids off of cell phones in schools but enforcing it via state law feels a bit heavy handed. Local school districts should be allowed to set their own policies. It's a sad reflection of politics that this is what gets bipartisan support. www.inquirer.com/education/pe...

inquirer.comPa. students soon won’t be able to use cell phones in school. Here’s what to know about the ban.Gov. Shapiro is expected to sign a bill banning cell phones from the start of the school day to the end. A number of area high schools currently allow kids to use phones at lunch and in hallways.
peter k
@peterskim.org

I worry certain parents unhappy with their local schools' implementation of the law will try to get some form of state enforcement involved and cause unnecessary drama. Or that the state law is too prescriptive in how these full-day bans are implemented and make it a pain for schools to implement.

peter k
@peterskim.org

This feels like politicians eager to "get a win" by tapping into parents' unease about the impact of phones, AI, and technology in general in the classroom. Maybe some of them should ask whether the state should be involved or leave it to local communities, but the political win is too tempting.

peter k
@peterskim.org

It’s tragic that there’s so much car traffic in my neighborhood between 8-9am. I live just 1 mile from the heart of Center City so many of these drivers are probably commuting to jobs in the suburbs. It doesn’t have to be this way. BIRT is largely to blame. Bring jobs back to the city.

peter k
@peterskim.org

It’s easy to judge “helicopter parenting” but I’d argue we’d see a lot less of it if we had: 1) safer streets so kids can play outside without fear of getting hit by cars 2) common sense gun control 3) universal health care so a serious injury doesn’t mean bankrupting the family

peter k reposted

The War on Cars
@thewaroncars.bsky.social

"In 2025, 1.185 million people on the island of Montreal cycled, including 941,000 adults and 244,000 children. The report shows 58 percent of the adult population cycled – 68 percent in the central area of Montreal."

montreal.citynews.caReport: More than half of Montreal adults' cycleOver a million Montrealers are choosing to cycle, according to the 2025 “State of Cycling” report by cycling advocacy group Vélo Québec. In 2025, 1.185 million people on the island of Montreal cycled,...

peter k reposted

Pass the BIRT fix
@bradwilhelm.bsky.social

We have the highest city biz taxes in the nation and that inhibits progress on every single urbanist priority

peter k@peterskim.org

Until we reform BIRT and the wage tax, it’s going to be hard to argue that people who’d move into new apartments buildings wouldn’t need a car to get to their job in Malvern or Conshy.

peter k
@peterskim.org

Until we reform BIRT and the wage tax, it’s going to be hard to argue that people who’d move into new apartments buildings wouldn’t need a car to get to their job in Malvern or Conshy.

Philadelphia Inquirer@inquirer.com

The project contains an unusual amount of parking for an apartment building in this part of the city, but some neighbors want more.

inquirer.comA 68-unit apartment building is planned for the South Broad Street surface parking lot flanked by Mario Lanza mural
peter k
@peterskim.org

I went to Forsythia last year and it was so disappointing. Wasn't planning on going back anyways but definitely not after learning their chef is an asshole.

Philadelphia Inquirer@inquirer.com

Kearse faces charges of simple assault and harassment after a former manager at Forsythia, his Michelin-recommended French restaurant in Old City, said the chef grabbed him and tried to trip him in an incident in July.

inquirer.comForsythia restaurant owner Christopher Kearse will stand trial, accused of assaulting a former manager
peter k
@peterskim.org

I got a minor chip in a tooth recently and it made me realize that I've been chewing primarily with the left side of my mouth. It's so weird to realize you've unknowingly done things a certain way your whole life. I'm now trying to chew with both side of my mouth and it's hard!

peter k
@peterskim.org

I came back from Mexico recently. I had to go to Cancun for a work offsite. Not a fan of Cancun because everything is geared towards tourists. I will never understand traveling to another country and not experiencing local culture. Anyway, I added on a 3 day trip to Valladolid which was incredible!

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peter k
@peterskim.org

Minor correction--technically the Tren Maya is not a "high-speed" train. But in practice, its average speed is just a little slower than the new Acela due to flat terrain, gentler curves, less congestion.

peter k
@peterskim.org

I came back from Mexico recently. I had to go to Cancun for a work offsite. Not a fan of Cancun because everything is geared towards tourists. I will never understand traveling to another country and not experiencing local culture. Anyway, I added on a 3 day trip to Valladolid which was incredible!

View full thread
peter k
@peterskim.org

I came back from Mexico recently. I had to go to Cancun for a work offsite. Not a fan of Cancun because everything is geared towards tourists. I will never understand traveling to another country and not experiencing local culture. Anyway, I added on a 3 day trip to Valladolid which was incredible!

peter k
@peterskim.org

I took the Tren Maya to get from Cancun to Valladolid. It's a controversial new high-speed train around the Yucatan Peninsula. Ridership is much lower than projected--the stations are overbuilt with lots of empty retail spaces. The stations and the trains are still gorgeous though.

peter k
@peterskim.org

It’s funny seeing suburbanites and people from further-out neighborhoods in Philly threaten to not come to Center City to eat or shop because of parking. Good! Stay in your neighborhood and support your own local businesses and restaurants! I’m sure they’d appreciate the support!

peter k
@peterskim.org

It’s been a while since I’ve flown on a Sunday but it’s kinda ridiculous how many people travel with their favorite football team’s jerseys just to wear it on game day. I guess we all want to express our identity in some way and for a lot of people, that’s through their football fandom.

peter k
@peterskim.org

When I travel, I actually try not to stand out more than I do. Especially when traveling in other countries. I leave all my sports paraphernalia at home and bring clothing where I can blend in as much as possible.

peter k
@peterskim.org

I’ve been traveling all day and it’s so easy to take for granted how privileged we are to be able to travel and experience different cultures so easily. Airports are portals to other worlds. I can’t even imagine going to Guyana or Ecuador but it’d be amazing to go someday.

peter k
@peterskim.org

One thing I don’t understand is traveling to other countries just to stay at a tourist-oriented resort the whole time. I flew out of Cancun this morning and I’d guess at least half the Americans there stayed in the “hotel zone” the whole time.