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David Zipper

David Zipper

Contributing Writer

David Zipper is a senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative, where he examines the interplay between transportation policy and technology. His work has been published in the Atlantic, Slate, Bloomberg, the Washington Post, and elsewhere.

David led economic development strategy under two mayors of Washington, DC, and served in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration in New York. After working in city government, he became a venture capital investor and startup adviser focusing on smart cities and mobility.

He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, an M.Phil in land economy (urban planning) from the University of Cambridge, and a BA from Swarthmore College.

Latest articles by David Zipper

Business owners are buying into a bogus myth about drivingBusiness owners are buying into a bogus myth about driving
Future Perfect

NYC’s very good plan to fix traffic fell victim to a very bad argument. And it's not just New York.

By David Zipper
The misleading, wasteful way we measure gas mileage, explainedThe misleading, wasteful way we measure gas mileage, explained
Future Perfect

And how to measure fuel economy better.

By David Zipper
The reckless policies that helped fill our streets with ridiculously large cars
Future Perfect

Dangerous, polluting SUVs and pickups took over America. Lawmakers are partly to blame.

By David Zipper
Driving at ridiculous speeds should be physically impossibleDriving at ridiculous speeds should be physically impossible
Future Perfect

Reckless speeding is epidemic in the US. This simple technology could save tens of thousands of lives.

By David Zipper
Why Norway — the poster child for electric cars — is having second thoughts
Future Perfect

Electric cars are crucial, but not enough to solve climate change. We can’t let them crowd out car-free transit options.

By David Zipper
How to save America’s public transit systems from a doom spiralHow to save America’s public transit systems from a doom spiral
Future Perfect

Don’t let buses and subways become another casualty of the pandemic.

By David Zipper