Author: Pine Salica

Pine Salica

Pine lives in Minneapolis and works in Saint Paul. Pine hasn't owned a car for over a dozen years, and can count on one hand the number of times they've operated one in the last 12 months. Housing is a human right, car storage is not. Member of the Climate Committee.

Risa Hustad took their Malamute, Bandit, on a bike camping trip recently. Here, Bandit looks toward the open road while Risa poses. Author photo.

Taking a Dog Camping … by Bike?

Pine Salica • July 19, 2024

Camping by bike is a challenge by itself. Adding a dog to the mix is even more so. Then try adding a large, friendly Malamute.

Minneapolis Police car on Nicollet Avenue. Photo by Chad Davis on Flickr under CC BY 2.0 DEED.

Every Map Is the Same Map: ShotSpotter Edition

Pine Salica • March 28, 2024

A leaked map of gunshot detection systems in Minneapolis looks disappointingly similar to other city maps, and demonstrates familiar systemic biases.

Cheonggyecheon is a recreation space in the place of a former highway in Seoul. Some advocates envisioned a similar future for I-94, but the release of MNDOT's proposals for the highway has dimmed those hopes. Photo by Jiyoun, used under a Creative Commons license.

Re-imagining the Re-thinking I-94 Proposals

Pine Salica • July 28, 2023

MnDOT has advanced its regressive options for “reimagining” Interstate 94. Our author imagines and explains some more creative, climate-friendly solutions.

Benchmarking: a 3:2:1 Recipe for Success

Pine Salica • November 2, 2022

Streets.mn contributor Pine Salica has a fresh zeal and appreciation for benches, and a pitch for streets that make space for more of them.

Moving a Ladder … With a Furniture Dolly?

Pine Salica • April 25, 2022

How do you move a 13-foot ladder place to place when you don’t have a car? Carefully, creatively — and with a good sense of humor.

Moving a floor lamp… with a bicycle??

Pine Salica • April 7, 2022

Two friends size up their options for moving a tall lamp in light snow, without hailing a car.

Moving a bookcase… with a shopping cart??

Pine Salica • March 17, 2022

Friends brave the cold and skip the car in order to move a piece of furniture with a shopping cart on the Midtown Greenway.

Every Map Is The Same Map: USI Edition

Pine Salica • February 3, 2022

USI has rolled out their 2022 coverage map. This map has a striking resemblance to some other maps I’ve seen around here. Hmm. Someone who has a username “tcarter612” on reddit posted a thread about this rollout, purporting to represent the company. Someone commented, Our thread opener responded. Another response from elsewhere in the thread. […]

He Had Something to Prove

Pine Salica • November 22, 2021

I had a queen-size mattress I didn’t need anymore, but it still had a few good years of life left in it. I asked around, “anyone want this before I get Bridging to come pick it up?” Ian Buck said yes! And, in a move that sparked joy in my heart, he said, “I’ll borrow […]

Click here to save $83 a month on car insurance

Pine Salica • May 1, 2021

There’s a narrative people like to spin about car storage spots being necessary for local businesses to thrive. As someone who doesn’t own a car, it annoys me every time I come across this argument. What not owning a car does is free up so much money to not throw down the car ownership drain. […]