Doug Baer
@douglasbaer.bsky.social
PhD Sociologist + BES env. studies, urbanist, cyclist, statistics expertise, retired but teaches @ stats pgms Calgary-CCRAM & @ICPSRSummer (& previously GSERM(Switz)).
Trump has halted asylum applications and immigration from 3rd world countries. I do not think Canada should do the same thing: after all, I would not want to prevent Americans trying to flee the U.S. from coming to Canada.
November 29, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Trump has halted asylum applications and immigration from 3rd world countries. I do not think Canada should do the same thing: after all, I would not want to prevent Americans trying to flee the U.S. from coming to Canada.
I have generally been a ABC voter ("anything but Conservative"). Now I probably need to add "L" to that acronym.
Gee, Mark, do you really think this is going to make me more likely to vote Liberal in the next election? Dream on.
Guilbeault Resigns as Smith Declares Crushing Victory www.theenergymix.com/guilbeault-r...
November 29, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I have generally been a ABC voter ("anything but Conservative"). Now I probably need to add "L" to that acronym.
In 2007, I lived in the Netherlands for a few months. Cycling wise, thought I had died and gone to heaven.
Meanwhile I can't do this because 15% of the kids I teach literally have ever ridden a bike before.
Dozens of Dutch school kids gliding past on bikes, headed to a field trip with their teacher. This is what safe cycling infrastructure enables.
November 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
In 2007, I lived in the Netherlands for a few months. Cycling wise, thought I had died and gone to heaven.
I live in the burbs (Saanich). I used to be in favour of amalgamation so a) we pay our fair share of downtown policing costs b) ditto homeless (mostly in city not burbs), c) we get a taste of progressive bike lane policies. But now I must agree: save city from the burbs.
This. Bike and roll lanes are a political problem, not a money problem. Amalgamation means the end of policies that favour walking, cycling and transit, and more investment in cars and parking.
I live in Victoria. Parking fees are used to fund the youth bus pass, not for infrastructure. Bike lanes are a rounding error and are part of broader efforts in C of Victoria to update and upgrade streets. The benefit of being a small muni is being able to ignore suburban political culture.
November 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I live in the burbs (Saanich). I used to be in favour of amalgamation so a) we pay our fair share of downtown policing costs b) ditto homeless (mostly in city not burbs), c) we get a taste of progressive bike lane policies. But now I must agree: save city from the burbs.
Reposted by Doug Baer
Gee, Mark, do you really think this is going to make me more likely to vote Liberal in the next election? Dream on.
Guilbeault Resigns as Smith Declares Crushing Victory www.theenergymix.com/guilbeault-r...
Guilbeault Resigns as Smith Declares Crushing Victory
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith declared victory Thursday with the signing of a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) on energy development with the federal government, saying she had achieved seven of...
www.theenergymix.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Gee, Mark, do you really think this is going to make me more likely to vote Liberal in the next election? Dream on.
Today, I emailed all BC Liberal MPs, telling them that, while I'm an Anything But Conservative voter and might otherwise at least consider voting for Liberals (and have indeed donated in the past half decade [albeit to others too]), my chances of voting Liberal are now zero and no future donations.
I’ll vote for BC secession rather than take this kind of backwards thing.
November 27, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Today, I emailed all BC Liberal MPs, telling them that, while I'm an Anything But Conservative voter and might otherwise at least consider voting for Liberals (and have indeed donated in the past half decade [albeit to others too]), my chances of voting Liberal are now zero and no future donations.
2019 CNR proposed a "puck" system for transporting bitumen safely via rail. Inert pucks don't damage envir if spills occur; easy to clean up. Slightly more expensive operating cost than a pipeline (albeit much lower capital cost). Why no interest? Libs totally abandon env. concerns.
Sigh.
November 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
2019 CNR proposed a "puck" system for transporting bitumen safely via rail. Inert pucks don't damage envir if spills occur; easy to clean up. Slightly more expensive operating cost than a pipeline (albeit much lower capital cost). Why no interest? Libs totally abandon env. concerns.
I saw this video earlier today. I am proud of the City of Victoria, its transportation planners and its politicians. Maybe not perfect but pretty darned good. Then I thought of Saanich, where I live. "Utter disappointment" doesn't even begin to describe.
I'm not just saying this because I'm biased towards Victoria - I genuinely think this is one of their best videos yet. Very polished, a good number of interviews with relevant voices, a good visual diversity of what you explored.
Worth a watch. #yyjbike
Worth a watch. #yyjbike
The Best Cycling City No One Talks About
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 5:05 AM
I saw this video earlier today. I am proud of the City of Victoria, its transportation planners and its politicians. Maybe not perfect but pretty darned good. Then I thought of Saanich, where I live. "Utter disappointment" doesn't even begin to describe.
BC NDP's excuse is "the Active Transportation Grants were funded by the carbon tax so now we don't have money for ATG's" Me: accepting this excuse assumes I buy into the "we needed to kill the carbon tax" logic.. just because Carney did it doesn't mean BC had to follow.
What do premiers Doug Ford (Ontario) and David Eby (BC) have in common? 'Bikelash' - political attacks on walking, rolling and cycling! (I understand Ford's motivations, but Eby's are a mystery.)
Support @velocanadabikes.bsky.social! Click here to donate: mailchi.mp/velocanadabi... #bcpoli
Support @velocanadabikes.bsky.social! Click here to donate: mailchi.mp/velocanadabi... #bcpoli
November 26, 2025 at 12:03 AM
BC NDP's excuse is "the Active Transportation Grants were funded by the carbon tax so now we don't have money for ATG's" Me: accepting this excuse assumes I buy into the "we needed to kill the carbon tax" logic.. just because Carney did it doesn't mean BC had to follow.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
No kidding: Russian resistance to peace plan. Donald Trump once again played by Putin as the fool. Except fools have a humorous side, whereas Trump is just plain thick & stupid.
No kidding: Russian resistance to peace plan. Donald Trump once again played by Putin as the fool. Except fools have a humorous side, whereas Trump is just plain thick & stupid.
Russia Strikes Ukraine and Signals Resistance to Amended Peace Plan
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:13 PM
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
No kidding: Russian resistance to peace plan. Donald Trump once again played by Putin as the fool. Except fools have a humorous side, whereas Trump is just plain thick & stupid.
No kidding: Russian resistance to peace plan. Donald Trump once again played by Putin as the fool. Except fools have a humorous side, whereas Trump is just plain thick & stupid.
PHEV makes sense for me whenever I replace my non plug in hybrid (2014, very low mileage, might be awhile) since the # of times either of the car's drivers exceeds 50km per trip is about 2 per year. Almost all gas consumed will be the semi-annual "auto burn" to prevent gas from going stale.
The mistake here is thinking the European data generalizes to Canada. People didn’t plug in their company cars because there was no financial incentive. Meanwhile anyone I know with a PHEV here prides themselves on how little gas they used (on the same tank for 6 months!)
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
Drivers aren't charging their plug-in hybrid cars, research suggests | CBC Climate Change News
Plug-in hybrid cars are a compromise for people wanting range with electric capability. But new research finds they’re less green than you think — so how should they fit into a zero-emissions future?
www.cbc.ca
November 24, 2025 at 10:31 PM
PHEV makes sense for me whenever I replace my non plug in hybrid (2014, very low mileage, might be awhile) since the # of times either of the car's drivers exceeds 50km per trip is about 2 per year. Almost all gas consumed will be the semi-annual "auto burn" to prevent gas from going stale.
Sad. My first ebike was BionX (remember them)? Post bankruptcy, I sourced replacement controller unit (accidentally dropped it) then defective throttle online, had to rewire brake-triggers-regen function which was defective, but bike not useful now due to almost dead battery.
This is the big part - Rad cannot afford to do a recall soooo all their bikes they’ve sold are now junk. I have been shouting this from the rooftops for at least eight years and it’s sad it’s finally come to this.
The importer, Rad Power Bikes Inc., of Seattle, Washington has refused to agree to an acceptable recall. Given its financial situation, Rad Power Bikes has indicated to CPSC that it is unable to offer replacement batteries or refunds to all consumers.
November 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Sad. My first ebike was BionX (remember them)? Post bankruptcy, I sourced replacement controller unit (accidentally dropped it) then defective throttle online, had to rewire brake-triggers-regen function which was defective, but bike not useful now due to almost dead battery.
So Canada will see the "clean coal" slogan and raise it with "clean oil that's good for everyone & will end all disease & will be used to strengthen other industries as opposed to sucking oxygen from the effort to develop a low carbon future economy" right? Argh!
And just like that, Carney puts the nail in the coffin of the question "is he just an oil industry plant."
The Carney government wants to pare back aspects of Canada’s anti-greenwashing law, telling @meyer.bsky.social it prevents the fossil fuel industry and other groups from sharing their environmental claims. Critics say the law might be working as intended. thenarwhal.ca/greenwashing...
November 22, 2025 at 2:51 AM
So Canada will see the "clean coal" slogan and raise it with "clean oil that's good for everyone & will end all disease & will be used to strengthen other industries as opposed to sucking oxygen from the effort to develop a low carbon future economy" right? Argh!
Thank you BC Transit Victoria Region for not raising teenager & seniors' fares for monthly passes. The seniors fare is admittedly too low for full-time workers or wealthier ppl. but much too high for lower-income retirees, who might make 5-7 daily return trips per month (hence pass = worthless).
November 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Thank you BC Transit Victoria Region for not raising teenager & seniors' fares for monthly passes. The seniors fare is admittedly too low for full-time workers or wealthier ppl. but much too high for lower-income retirees, who might make 5-7 daily return trips per month (hence pass = worthless).
Could an ardent NDP supporter please explain to me why Bill 216 isn't totally awful? I generally support NDP efforts to push municipalities to endorse needed residential construction BUT prohibiting them from getting a 2nd profess. opinion when a developer uses a rogue "expert" seems over the top.
November 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Could an ardent NDP supporter please explain to me why Bill 216 isn't totally awful? I generally support NDP efforts to push municipalities to endorse needed residential construction BUT prohibiting them from getting a 2nd profess. opinion when a developer uses a rogue "expert" seems over the top.
It's tricky: for long distances (> 3 hrs. flying time), the break-even point (flying emits less(!) Co2 than driving) is <3 people in the car or a gas guzzling car, airplane fairly full. E-cars will do better. Short distances: ground transport always better. Train = always better.
This dunk bothers me. I haven't flown in ten years. I don't believe it's ethical to be doing it all the time. But two points:
1) rail travel in Canada is actually ecologically on-par with flying because it's so outdated
2) most people can't take an extra full day on the ends of their time off
1) rail travel in Canada is actually ecologically on-par with flying because it's so outdated
2) most people can't take an extra full day on the ends of their time off
"sure flying destroys the planet. But it's much faster and I'm a busy guy"
November 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It's tricky: for long distances (> 3 hrs. flying time), the break-even point (flying emits less(!) Co2 than driving) is <3 people in the car or a gas guzzling car, airplane fairly full. E-cars will do better. Short distances: ground transport always better. Train = always better.
Reposted by Doug Baer
Thank you so much Amber Wright for articulating what many of us think: the Save Our Saanich bozo brigade is largely a bunch of self-interested narrow-minded entitled a-holes who are incapable of listening to rational argumentation. 1/2
I'm happy to see that the Times Colonist published this letter. I was at this meeting and the behaviour there was appalling. The level of racism, conspiracy promotion, fear-mongering, and selfishness was disheartening to witness. www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...
Comment: Save Our Saanich encourages mob behaviour that silences voices
Change is coming. Will we face it with courage and compassion — or let the loudest voices decide our future for us?
www.timescolonist.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Thank you so much Amber Wright for articulating what many of us think: the Save Our Saanich bozo brigade is largely a bunch of self-interested narrow-minded entitled a-holes who are incapable of listening to rational argumentation. 1/2
Don't forget that the BC NDP has killed the not-really-that-large-or-significant Active Transportation Grant program which provided municipalities with much of the $ used to build bike and safe pedestrian infrastructure.
November 14, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Don't forget that the BC NDP has killed the not-really-that-large-or-significant Active Transportation Grant program which provided municipalities with much of the $ used to build bike and safe pedestrian infrastructure.
Yesterday, the Lochside Trail was blocked at a new development near Royal Oak. Flag person told me, "it'll be a few minutes". After waiting a minute, I asked, "why the wait?" Him: "I'm just doing my job". Roller + dump truck in pic sat there not moving. I gave up and re-routed via Douglas.
November 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Yesterday, the Lochside Trail was blocked at a new development near Royal Oak. Flag person told me, "it'll be a few minutes". After waiting a minute, I asked, "why the wait?" Him: "I'm just doing my job". Roller + dump truck in pic sat there not moving. I gave up and re-routed via Douglas.
Reposted by Doug Baer
After publishing all sorts of "news" articles articulating the Save Our Saanich anti-development anti-bike cut-taxes & screw the idea of better public services view and then SOS opinion pieces we finally see an anti-SOS opinion piece in Saanich News Today. BUT they invited SOS to publish a "reply".
November 11, 2025 at 7:34 PM
After publishing all sorts of "news" articles articulating the Save Our Saanich anti-development anti-bike cut-taxes & screw the idea of better public services view and then SOS opinion pieces we finally see an anti-SOS opinion piece in Saanich News Today. BUT they invited SOS to publish a "reply".
Restoring the Bc carbon tax alone would restore $2 billion to the bc budget and at least be mildly redistribution (rich pay more + rebate to lowest income group).
November 1, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Restoring the Bc carbon tax alone would restore $2 billion to the bc budget and at least be mildly redistribution (rich pay more + rebate to lowest income group).
No excuse for not getting started. Esp since low cost option available with E&N corridor (bonus: can extend now or in future tp provide Malahat alternative). Hello BC MOTT, BC Trans, BC NDP... anyone home?
Kitchener-Waterloo extending their LRT to Cambridge, population 140k.
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Calgary opened its LRT in 1981 when its population was ~550k.
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Victoria should open its LRT in 2028 with population ~450k (And way more density than Calgary in ‘81, or ever)
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Calgary opened its LRT in 1981 when its population was ~550k.
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Victoria should open its LRT in 2028 with population ~450k (And way more density than Calgary in ‘81, or ever)
Region of Waterloo staff are recommending that council pursue a full ION light rail extension to downtown Cambridge!
Full report and committee agenda for November 4 here: pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
Full report and committee agenda for November 4 here: pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
October 29, 2025 at 11:04 PM
No excuse for not getting started. Esp since low cost option available with E&N corridor (bonus: can extend now or in future tp provide Malahat alternative). Hello BC MOTT, BC Trans, BC NDP... anyone home?
Reposted by Doug Baer
"Sometimes, a shop owner claims his business was ruined because the city removed 4 parking spaces. With surveys, our mayor can say: ‘6,000 more people pass your shop a day thanks to a new bike lane. Are you sure you’re a good businessman?’”
— Jan Gehl of #Copenhagen, quoted in #Straphanger.
— Jan Gehl of #Copenhagen, quoted in #Straphanger.
October 29, 2025 at 5:41 PM
"Sometimes, a shop owner claims his business was ruined because the city removed 4 parking spaces. With surveys, our mayor can say: ‘6,000 more people pass your shop a day thanks to a new bike lane. Are you sure you’re a good businessman?’”
— Jan Gehl of #Copenhagen, quoted in #Straphanger.
— Jan Gehl of #Copenhagen, quoted in #Straphanger.
I suppose I should be strongly supportive of Comey in his fight to fight off the Nazi-like Trump prosecution. But Comey is the dude who arguably handed Trump an electoral victory over Clinton, so my sympathy is limited. Still, I hope the jury acquits & one or more jurors publicly express outrage.
October 28, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I suppose I should be strongly supportive of Comey in his fight to fight off the Nazi-like Trump prosecution. But Comey is the dude who arguably handed Trump an electoral victory over Clinton, so my sympathy is limited. Still, I hope the jury acquits & one or more jurors publicly express outrage.
Car industry: or do we plug our noses and say FU to Trump by dropping tariffs on Chinese EVs (human rights violations notwithstanding) + tariff US made cars heavily, killing most US vehicle sales in Canada.
October 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Car industry: or do we plug our noses and say FU to Trump by dropping tariffs on Chinese EVs (human rights violations notwithstanding) + tariff US made cars heavily, killing most US vehicle sales in Canada.