Oh The Urbanity!
@ohtheurbanity.bsky.social
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The Best Cycling City No One Talks About
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
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
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
I like living in a place where renting is common and normalized and homeownership culture is not as strong.
Specifically, I dislike the common idea that you’re a “failure” if you rent (or you’re being “exploited”). And the culture that glorifies rising house prices.
Specifically, I dislike the common idea that you’re a “failure” if you rent (or you’re being “exploited”). And the culture that glorifies rising house prices.
December 7, 2025 at 2:14 AM
I like living in a place where renting is common and normalized and homeownership culture is not as strong.
Specifically, I dislike the common idea that you’re a “failure” if you rent (or you’re being “exploited”). And the culture that glorifies rising house prices.
Specifically, I dislike the common idea that you’re a “failure” if you rent (or you’re being “exploited”). And the culture that glorifies rising house prices.
Two years ago, Montreal’s bike share stayed open over winter for the 1st time as a limited pilot project (150 of ~1,000 stations).
Last year it expanded to 200 stations.
This year it’s up to 234 stations, mainly in off-street locations that don’t disturb snow plowing/removal.
See the progression!
Last year it expanded to 200 stations.
This year it’s up to 234 stations, mainly in off-street locations that don’t disturb snow plowing/removal.
See the progression!
December 7, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Two years ago, Montreal’s bike share stayed open over winter for the 1st time as a limited pilot project (150 of ~1,000 stations).
Last year it expanded to 200 stations.
This year it’s up to 234 stations, mainly in off-street locations that don’t disturb snow plowing/removal.
See the progression!
Last year it expanded to 200 stations.
This year it’s up to 234 stations, mainly in off-street locations that don’t disturb snow plowing/removal.
See the progression!
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
My 5 year old came home from kindergarten a couple days ago asking if anyone was going to come to her school and take her, or take other kids.
She wasn't able to articulate where she got this worry or what she'd heard. But many of her fellow students are Somali.
I hate this so much.
She wasn't able to articulate where she got this worry or what she'd heard. But many of her fellow students are Somali.
I hate this so much.
December 5, 2025 at 1:23 AM
My 5 year old came home from kindergarten a couple days ago asking if anyone was going to come to her school and take her, or take other kids.
She wasn't able to articulate where she got this worry or what she'd heard. But many of her fellow students are Somali.
I hate this so much.
She wasn't able to articulate where she got this worry or what she'd heard. But many of her fellow students are Somali.
I hate this so much.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
Tell City Council to make the best of billion-dollar LRT lines by enabling full transit signal priority, including over left-turning vehicles so we can have the fast, reliable, and frequent service that rapid transit promises.
Sign here: www.ttcriders.ca/greenlight
Sign here: www.ttcriders.ca/greenlight
Give Transit the Green Light
www.ttcriders.ca
December 6, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Tell City Council to make the best of billion-dollar LRT lines by enabling full transit signal priority, including over left-turning vehicles so we can have the fast, reliable, and frequent service that rapid transit promises.
Sign here: www.ttcriders.ca/greenlight
Sign here: www.ttcriders.ca/greenlight
Is anyone else noticing the iOS keyboard getting worse?
From stupid recommendations (“ABS” instead of “and”) to automatically adding extra spaces whenever I try to fix its errors.
It reinforces my old person opinion that phones are an awful substitute for real keyboards on a computer.
From stupid recommendations (“ABS” instead of “and”) to automatically adding extra spaces whenever I try to fix its errors.
It reinforces my old person opinion that phones are an awful substitute for real keyboards on a computer.
December 6, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Is anyone else noticing the iOS keyboard getting worse?
From stupid recommendations (“ABS” instead of “and”) to automatically adding extra spaces whenever I try to fix its errors.
It reinforces my old person opinion that phones are an awful substitute for real keyboards on a computer.
From stupid recommendations (“ABS” instead of “and”) to automatically adding extra spaces whenever I try to fix its errors.
It reinforces my old person opinion that phones are an awful substitute for real keyboards on a computer.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
The fact that the US and Russia don't like the EU makes me like it more
December 6, 2025 at 9:29 PM
The fact that the US and Russia don't like the EU makes me like it more
The Washington–Moscow–Budapest Axis
Elon Musk and his Russian friends call for the abolishment of the EU
December 6, 2025 at 8:56 PM
The Washington–Moscow–Budapest Axis
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
What are we doing here? 170m between streetcar stops. It makes the service borderline unusable.
December 6, 2025 at 5:37 PM
What are we doing here? 170m between streetcar stops. It makes the service borderline unusable.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
One of the biggest drivers of high housing costs is that a small, highly motivated group of incumbent homeowners block new housing in their neighborhoods and almost no one is organized to push back.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
December 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
One of the biggest drivers of high housing costs is that a small, highly motivated group of incumbent homeowners block new housing in their neighborhoods and almost no one is organized to push back.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
Young people bear the brunt of that imbalance.
Be a housing fan.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
They should build them taller. Buildings can be taller than six stories.
December 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
They should build them taller. Buildings can be taller than six stories.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
Honestly think This Hour has 22 Minutes is way better than SNL:
December 6, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Honestly think This Hour has 22 Minutes is way better than SNL:
Snow build-up on the sides of a bike lane (inevitable to some extent) is one of the big reasons Montreal has been preferring wider one-way bike lanes over the two-way designs that used to be standard here.
They’re also better for cargo bikes and higher rush hour volumes.
They’re also better for cargo bikes and higher rush hour volumes.
Because of the snow, I was thinking this was a bi-directional bike lane & when I realized it was just a really wide one way bike lane, I was sad for us in #yycbike with our bi-directional lanes. Don't get me wrong, better than nothing, but this just looks so pleasant.
December 6, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Snow build-up on the sides of a bike lane (inevitable to some extent) is one of the big reasons Montreal has been preferring wider one-way bike lanes over the two-way designs that used to be standard here.
They’re also better for cargo bikes and higher rush hour volumes.
They’re also better for cargo bikes and higher rush hour volumes.
Sidewalk snow plow in Caledon, an outer suburb of Toronto.
December 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Sidewalk snow plow in Caledon, an outer suburb of Toronto.
I wish every single article on gerrymandering would include this disclaimer:
“This is a unique aspect of the American political system. Most other countries don’t allow politicians to draw electoral maps. Many even go further with proportional representation to ensure outcomes match votes.”
“This is a unique aspect of the American political system. Most other countries don’t allow politicians to draw electoral maps. Many even go further with proportional representation to ensure outcomes match votes.”
Indiana state house Republicans just approved a new 9-0 gerrymandered map ousting two US House Democrats, giving Republicans 100% of seats in state where Trump got 58% of vote
December 6, 2025 at 3:06 AM
I wish every single article on gerrymandering would include this disclaimer:
“This is a unique aspect of the American political system. Most other countries don’t allow politicians to draw electoral maps. Many even go further with proportional representation to ensure outcomes match votes.”
“This is a unique aspect of the American political system. Most other countries don’t allow politicians to draw electoral maps. Many even go further with proportional representation to ensure outcomes match votes.”
Danielle Smith and her Transportation Secretary are “demanding” Calgary's cycling numbers. The city is apparently “refusing” to provide them.
But... Calgary’s bike counter data is readily available online: data.eco-counter.com/ParcPublic/?...
But... Calgary’s bike counter data is readily available online: data.eco-counter.com/ParcPublic/?...
Rick Bell is the enemy of active transportation.
He’s the enemy of kids safely biking to school.
He’s the enemy of parents who are tired of driving their kids everywhere.
#Calgary #yycBike
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
He’s the enemy of kids safely biking to school.
He’s the enemy of parents who are tired of driving their kids everywhere.
#Calgary #yycBike
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
Bell: Bike lane crackdown looms, Smith's UCP demands Calgary numbers
Danielle Smith UCP government still looking at a bike lane crackdown while Calgary city hall won't cough up usage numbers.
calgaryherald.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Danielle Smith and her Transportation Secretary are “demanding” Calgary's cycling numbers. The city is apparently “refusing” to provide them.
But... Calgary’s bike counter data is readily available online: data.eco-counter.com/ParcPublic/?...
But... Calgary’s bike counter data is readily available online: data.eco-counter.com/ParcPublic/?...
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
The promise: Subway for the cost of a streetcar
The result: Streetcar for the cost of a subway
The result: Streetcar for the cost of a subway
December 6, 2025 at 12:53 AM
The promise: Subway for the cost of a streetcar
The result: Streetcar for the cost of a subway
The result: Streetcar for the cost of a subway
“The eastbound [bus] departure, leaving Humber College at 12:07 PM, made it to Finch West Station in 44 minutes, two minutes faster than the [soon to open] scheduled LRT trip.”
Waiting for Finch West
Can a brand-new light rail line outrun the local bus it will soon replace? I went out to Finch Avenue West to see for myself.
Can a brand-new light rail line outrun the local bus it will soon replace? I went out to Finch Avenue West to see for myself.
Waiting for Finch West
Can a brand-new light rail line outrun the local bus it will soon replace? I went out to Finch Avenue West to see for myself.
seanmarshall.ca
December 6, 2025 at 1:57 AM
“The eastbound [bus] departure, leaving Humber College at 12:07 PM, made it to Finch West Station in 44 minutes, two minutes faster than the [soon to open] scheduled LRT trip.”
A three year old recently: “can I go ride my [balance] bike outside?”
Parents: “no, this isn’t Montreal, we don’t bike in the winter here”
Parents: “no, this isn’t Montreal, we don’t bike in the winter here”
December 5, 2025 at 11:58 PM
A three year old recently: “can I go ride my [balance] bike outside?”
Parents: “no, this isn’t Montreal, we don’t bike in the winter here”
Parents: “no, this isn’t Montreal, we don’t bike in the winter here”
I distinctly remember the consensus in Toronto 10+ years ago that subways were about wasting money to preserve more surface space for cars.
LRTs were the sensible progressive option, providing almost as good service for much less money.
It turns out the service is... not so great after all.
LRTs were the sensible progressive option, providing almost as good service for much less money.
It turns out the service is... not so great after all.
The opening of the Finch Light Rail is very exciting, but….
Read my latest in the Toronto Star www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Read my latest in the Toronto Star www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Huzzah! The Finch LRT is finally opening! Now here’s the bad news
Years of waiting and billions spent. Shouldn't it be faster than the bus it replaces?
www.thestar.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:33 PM
I distinctly remember the consensus in Toronto 10+ years ago that subways were about wasting money to preserve more surface space for cars.
LRTs were the sensible progressive option, providing almost as good service for much less money.
It turns out the service is... not so great after all.
LRTs were the sensible progressive option, providing almost as good service for much less money.
It turns out the service is... not so great after all.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
You love to see it: police enforcing the new bus lanes!
Although it would be even more effective if the buses just had cameras that could semi-automatically ticket people.
Although it would be even more effective if the buses just had cameras that could semi-automatically ticket people.
December 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
You love to see it: police enforcing the new bus lanes!
Although it would be even more effective if the buses just had cameras that could semi-automatically ticket people.
Although it would be even more effective if the buses just had cameras that could semi-automatically ticket people.
You love to see it: police enforcing the new bus lanes!
Although it would be even more effective if the buses just had cameras that could semi-automatically ticket people.
Although it would be even more effective if the buses just had cameras that could semi-automatically ticket people.
December 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
You love to see it: police enforcing the new bus lanes!
Although it would be even more effective if the buses just had cameras that could semi-automatically ticket people.
Although it would be even more effective if the buses just had cameras that could semi-automatically ticket people.
In response to Ontario’s legislation banning bike lanes that remove car lanes, Toronto is trying to find space for new bike lanes by narrowing (rather than removing) car lanes.
I feel for any active transportation professionals in Ontario right now, having to work around this boneheaded law.
I feel for any active transportation professionals in Ontario right now, having to work around this boneheaded law.
Toronto proposes 20 km of new bike lanes for city's east end
YouTube video by CBC News Toronto
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
In response to Ontario’s legislation banning bike lanes that remove car lanes, Toronto is trying to find space for new bike lanes by narrowing (rather than removing) car lanes.
I feel for any active transportation professionals in Ontario right now, having to work around this boneheaded law.
I feel for any active transportation professionals in Ontario right now, having to work around this boneheaded law.
Ok, let’s all move to Victoria.
December 5, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Ok, let’s all move to Victoria.
Every time we visit people in a more suburban environment I’m reminded how much less active the lifestyle is.
It’s not even the worst suburbs. There are sidewalks and some things nearby. Walking is mostly not dangerous.
But it’s not a default or natural option. You have to force yourself out.
It’s not even the worst suburbs. There are sidewalks and some things nearby. Walking is mostly not dangerous.
But it’s not a default or natural option. You have to force yourself out.
December 4, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Every time we visit people in a more suburban environment I’m reminded how much less active the lifestyle is.
It’s not even the worst suburbs. There are sidewalks and some things nearby. Walking is mostly not dangerous.
But it’s not a default or natural option. You have to force yourself out.
It’s not even the worst suburbs. There are sidewalks and some things nearby. Walking is mostly not dangerous.
But it’s not a default or natural option. You have to force yourself out.