Cassie Smith (she/her)
@cassiesmith.bsky.social
Feminist geographer and cargo bike mom.
Volunteer: Bike Ottawa VP, For Our Kids, Kidical Mass championing safe, sustainable, fun, and equitable spaces especially for kids.
Work: Transportation strategy and solutions with EnviroCentre. Views my own.
Volunteer: Bike Ottawa VP, For Our Kids, Kidical Mass championing safe, sustainable, fun, and equitable spaces especially for kids.
Work: Transportation strategy and solutions with EnviroCentre. Views my own.
Pinned
What a week BlueSky! Welcome new followers! 👋🏻 I mostly post about kids, bikes, & kid-carrying bikes along with climate action and local happenings in Ottawa.
This all ramped up 3.5 years ago, when (in the span of ONE month) I:
- had a (2nd) baby
- got a cargo bike
- was accepted into grad school
This all ramped up 3.5 years ago, when (in the span of ONE month) I:
- had a (2nd) baby
- got a cargo bike
- was accepted into grad school
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Ultimately this is a regulatory problem that serious people in transport department offices dismissed because bikes are thought of as a child’s toy, a rich man’s hobby, or a poor man’s last resort. (Gender deliberate, bc women don’t ride bikes). What other problemAtIc unreguted tech is out there?
CPSC urges consumers to immediately remove the battery from the e-bike and dispose of the battery following local hazardous waste disposal procedures. Do not sell or give away these hazardous batteries.
November 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Ultimately this is a regulatory problem that serious people in transport department offices dismissed because bikes are thought of as a child’s toy, a rich man’s hobby, or a poor man’s last resort. (Gender deliberate, bc women don’t ride bikes). What other problemAtIc unreguted tech is out there?
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
I have been pushing OC Transpo to adopt a youth pass, for free transit for 18 and under and compliment the existing U-Pass in Ottawa. A big step in that direction today is before transit commission with free service after 5pm, on weekends and holidays for 18-under. Would love to see summers added.
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I have been pushing OC Transpo to adopt a youth pass, for free transit for 18 and under and compliment the existing U-Pass in Ottawa. A big step in that direction today is before transit commission with free service after 5pm, on weekends and holidays for 18-under. Would love to see summers added.
The sound of a bouncy ball bouncing indoors may be one of the most irritating noises I've ever encountered.
November 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The sound of a bouncy ball bouncing indoors may be one of the most irritating noises I've ever encountered.
I had a kid and it felt like I had to drive everywhere at the same time I really really really didn't want to drive.
November 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I had a kid and it felt like I had to drive everywhere at the same time I really really really didn't want to drive.
I helped with @envirocentre.bsky.social's "extend your cycling season" #OttBike Tour this afternoon. We welcomed cyclists looking to try #WinterBiking for the first time and some new to Ottawa residents with hands-on tips and tricks about year-round cycling and the winter maintained network. 1/2
November 22, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I helped with @envirocentre.bsky.social's "extend your cycling season" #OttBike Tour this afternoon. We welcomed cyclists looking to try #WinterBiking for the first time and some new to Ottawa residents with hands-on tips and tricks about year-round cycling and the winter maintained network. 1/2
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
For centuries, cities have been planned by and for able-bodied, gainfully-employed men.
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
November 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
For centuries, cities have been planned by and for able-bodied, gainfully-employed men.
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Reducing emissions without phasing out fossil fuels is like being full after a big restaurant meal and telling the waiter to keep delivering new dishes to the table with a promise that your kids and your neighbor who is not even at the table will pay the bill.
November 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reducing emissions without phasing out fossil fuels is like being full after a big restaurant meal and telling the waiter to keep delivering new dishes to the table with a promise that your kids and your neighbor who is not even at the table will pay the bill.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Kids know best. Look at these bikes! Front basket, long-tail cargo bike or bike with a bucket out front to carry lots of people. Our politicians would do well to build cities for them.
Yesterday at a Hintonburg community event.
Yesterday at a Hintonburg community event.
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Kids know best. Look at these bikes! Front basket, long-tail cargo bike or bike with a bucket out front to carry lots of people. Our politicians would do well to build cities for them.
Yesterday at a Hintonburg community event.
Yesterday at a Hintonburg community event.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
As I argue in The Language of Climate Politics: we are stuck not because climate politics are polarized, but because they’re UNIFIED (across the right and center-left) on the lie that we can keep using oil and gas but still deal with climate change anyway.
Here’s a good example of that discourse.
Here’s a good example of that discourse.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said today that the fight against climate change was not against the fuels that cause it — only the pollution they emit.
Von der Leyen says EU is not fighting fossil fuels, only emissions
The comment could undermine European countries’ push at COP30 to move away from coal, oil and gas.
www.politico.eu
November 21, 2025 at 7:24 PM
As I argue in The Language of Climate Politics: we are stuck not because climate politics are polarized, but because they’re UNIFIED (across the right and center-left) on the lie that we can keep using oil and gas but still deal with climate change anyway.
Here’s a good example of that discourse.
Here’s a good example of that discourse.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Science will often take you to unexpected and delightful places. In this study, researchers hypothesized that riders in a crowded subway car would be more likely to offer their seat to a pregnant person if there were someone in the subway car dressed as Batman 🧪🦇
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
November 21, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Science will often take you to unexpected and delightful places. In this study, researchers hypothesized that riders in a crowded subway car would be more likely to offer their seat to a pregnant person if there were someone in the subway car dressed as Batman 🧪🦇
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
I had a fun time playing bike tour guide with @bikehfxlobby.bsky.social in a special #KidicalMassHfx meets #KidicalMassOttawa mash-up today 🎉.
Jillian (& @envirojen.bsky.social) really ignited my spark for doing this movement building here. It was so nice to chat and share wins & challenges.
Jillian (& @envirojen.bsky.social) really ignited my spark for doing this movement building here. It was so nice to chat and share wins & challenges.
November 21, 2025 at 2:11 AM
I had a fun time playing bike tour guide with @bikehfxlobby.bsky.social in a special #KidicalMassHfx meets #KidicalMassOttawa mash-up today 🎉.
Jillian (& @envirojen.bsky.social) really ignited my spark for doing this movement building here. It was so nice to chat and share wins & challenges.
Jillian (& @envirojen.bsky.social) really ignited my spark for doing this movement building here. It was so nice to chat and share wins & challenges.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Oh, so they can act decisively in the case of emergency afterall?
BREAKING: The UN climate talks COP30 have been evacuated due to a fire breaking out inside the venue in Belém, Brazil.
November 21, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Oh, so they can act decisively in the case of emergency afterall?
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
What ever happened to Ottawa's self-cleaning public toilets? ottawacitizen.com/news/local-n...
November 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
What ever happened to Ottawa's self-cleaning public toilets? ottawacitizen.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
🚨No loss of life or serious injury on our roads is acceptable.
📣 We want those who govern our transportation systems to fully embrace Vision Zero
👇Join the Vision Zero Ottawa project!
📅 December 2nd 6:30-8:30pm
For details on Day Zero of Vision Zero
schoolstreetsottawa.ca/day-zero-of-...
📣 We want those who govern our transportation systems to fully embrace Vision Zero
👇Join the Vision Zero Ottawa project!
📅 December 2nd 6:30-8:30pm
For details on Day Zero of Vision Zero
schoolstreetsottawa.ca/day-zero-of-...
Day Zero of Vision Zero Ottawa
We are reaching out to ask for your support in starting a Vision Zero Team for Ottawa. This will be our Day Zero—the first step toward building a safer city for everyone. What is Vision Zero?Vision…
schoolstreetsottawa.ca
November 18, 2025 at 12:05 PM
🚨No loss of life or serious injury on our roads is acceptable.
📣 We want those who govern our transportation systems to fully embrace Vision Zero
👇Join the Vision Zero Ottawa project!
📅 December 2nd 6:30-8:30pm
For details on Day Zero of Vision Zero
schoolstreetsottawa.ca/day-zero-of-...
📣 We want those who govern our transportation systems to fully embrace Vision Zero
👇Join the Vision Zero Ottawa project!
📅 December 2nd 6:30-8:30pm
For details on Day Zero of Vision Zero
schoolstreetsottawa.ca/day-zero-of-...
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
My good friend Jess reading out names of innocent ppl who have a lost their lives to road violence.
Candles represent lives lost.
It’s so wrong when our elected reps place the convenience of drivers over prioritizing the safety of vulnerable road users.
via @ffsafestreets.bsky.social #WDoR2025
Candles represent lives lost.
It’s so wrong when our elected reps place the convenience of drivers over prioritizing the safety of vulnerable road users.
via @ffsafestreets.bsky.social #WDoR2025
November 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
My good friend Jess reading out names of innocent ppl who have a lost their lives to road violence.
Candles represent lives lost.
It’s so wrong when our elected reps place the convenience of drivers over prioritizing the safety of vulnerable road users.
via @ffsafestreets.bsky.social #WDoR2025
Candles represent lives lost.
It’s so wrong when our elected reps place the convenience of drivers over prioritizing the safety of vulnerable road users.
via @ffsafestreets.bsky.social #WDoR2025
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Almost everywhere in the City of Toronto has fewer people that it did 50 years ago
November 15, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Almost everywhere in the City of Toronto has fewer people that it did 50 years ago
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Drivers: I know you think you’re doing cyclists a favour by stopping & waving us through an intersection while you’ve got right of way, but you really aren’t. You’re being unpredictable and screwing up the flow of traffic for everyone and just causing further delays for us to safely cross. Stop it.
November 13, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Drivers: I know you think you’re doing cyclists a favour by stopping & waving us through an intersection while you’ve got right of way, but you really aren’t. You’re being unpredictable and screwing up the flow of traffic for everyone and just causing further delays for us to safely cross. Stop it.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
We need to legislate full-sized dump trucks OFF urban streets. Get them out of here. NOW.
There are smaller dump, garbage, delivery, and salting trucks available; many municipalities use and mandate them successfully. The problem isn't that we can't do anything: it's that we just can't be bothered.
There are smaller dump, garbage, delivery, and salting trucks available; many municipalities use and mandate them successfully. The problem isn't that we can't do anything: it's that we just can't be bothered.
Horrifying news from Hamilton about a crossing guard killed by a dump truck driver.
But not surprising. I see dangerous driving of dump trucks regularly. At least 3 of the road fatalities in Ottawa this year involve dump trucks.
We need more housing and intensification but it has to be safer.
But not surprising. I see dangerous driving of dump trucks regularly. At least 3 of the road fatalities in Ottawa this year involve dump trucks.
We need more housing and intensification but it has to be safer.
November 14, 2025 at 4:02 PM
We need to legislate full-sized dump trucks OFF urban streets. Get them out of here. NOW.
There are smaller dump, garbage, delivery, and salting trucks available; many municipalities use and mandate them successfully. The problem isn't that we can't do anything: it's that we just can't be bothered.
There are smaller dump, garbage, delivery, and salting trucks available; many municipalities use and mandate them successfully. The problem isn't that we can't do anything: it's that we just can't be bothered.
Horrifying news from Hamilton about a crossing guard killed by a dump truck driver.
But not surprising. I see dangerous driving of dump trucks regularly. At least 3 of the road fatalities in Ottawa this year involve dump trucks.
We need more housing and intensification but it has to be safer.
But not surprising. I see dangerous driving of dump trucks regularly. At least 3 of the road fatalities in Ottawa this year involve dump trucks.
We need more housing and intensification but it has to be safer.
November 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Horrifying news from Hamilton about a crossing guard killed by a dump truck driver.
But not surprising. I see dangerous driving of dump trucks regularly. At least 3 of the road fatalities in Ottawa this year involve dump trucks.
We need more housing and intensification but it has to be safer.
But not surprising. I see dangerous driving of dump trucks regularly. At least 3 of the road fatalities in Ottawa this year involve dump trucks.
We need more housing and intensification but it has to be safer.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
A group of Ontario advocates who have lost loved ones in car accidents are warning of the dangers of removing speed cameras ahead of the province’s ban, which takes effect on Friday. #Ontario #SpeedCameras
nowtoronto.com/news/its-hor...
nowtoronto.com/news/its-hor...
‘It’s horrifying,’ Speed camera ban sparks safety concerns from families of crash victims - NOW Toronto
A group of Ontario advocates who have lost loved ones in car accidents are warning of the dangers of removing speed cameras.
nowtoronto.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:05 PM
A group of Ontario advocates who have lost loved ones in car accidents are warning of the dangers of removing speed cameras ahead of the province’s ban, which takes effect on Friday. #Ontario #SpeedCameras
nowtoronto.com/news/its-hor...
nowtoronto.com/news/its-hor...
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
When a vulnerable road user is killed, saying ‘everyone has a role in safety’ is just code for dodging responsibility. People walking aren’t the ones killing anyone. Drivers and the city need to step up - full stop.
Turn your thoughts in to action and keep vulnerable road users safe.
Turn your thoughts in to action and keep vulnerable road users safe.
#HamOnt Please see my Statement regarding the tragic incident regarding a City of Hamilton Crossing Guard today.
November 14, 2025 at 11:43 AM
When a vulnerable road user is killed, saying ‘everyone has a role in safety’ is just code for dodging responsibility. People walking aren’t the ones killing anyone. Drivers and the city need to step up - full stop.
Turn your thoughts in to action and keep vulnerable road users safe.
Turn your thoughts in to action and keep vulnerable road users safe.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
a crossing guard being killed by a driver the day before we yank speed cameras out of school zones is super on the nose
November 13, 2025 at 10:49 PM
a crossing guard being killed by a driver the day before we yank speed cameras out of school zones is super on the nose
Only 8 yo finished and I was proud to bring it to the rally this morning. Brava to this other hilarious sign and everyone who came out in the chilly drizzle to support safe streets, climate action and local decision-making.
Thanks @bikeottawa.bsky.social for organizing!
Thanks @bikeottawa.bsky.social for organizing!
November 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Only 8 yo finished and I was proud to bring it to the rally this morning. Brava to this other hilarious sign and everyone who came out in the chilly drizzle to support safe streets, climate action and local decision-making.
Thanks @bikeottawa.bsky.social for organizing!
Thanks @bikeottawa.bsky.social for organizing!
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
surprising to me still that it’s not considered discrimination to deny bathroom facilities to people on the basis of age, but you can in fact refuse to provide them for infants and toddlers and even — apparently — claw them back too
Listening to Vancouver Council budget discussion in the background this morning. In response to a question from @seanorr.bsky.social about where they'll be retracting from the city just said they're planning to REMOVE baby changing tables and menstrual product dispensers to save costs. Shameful.
November 13, 2025 at 1:15 AM
surprising to me still that it’s not considered discrimination to deny bathroom facilities to people on the basis of age, but you can in fact refuse to provide them for infants and toddlers and even — apparently — claw them back too