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
Montreal’s BIXI bike share is closing in on another record year, likely reaching 14.5 million trips in 2025.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
December 9, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Montreal’s BIXI bike share is closing in on another record year, likely reaching 14.5 million trips in 2025.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
Toronto is not the only city failing to provide strong signal priority for its transit projects!
@ontariotrafficman.bsky.social is working his way through documents on transit signal priority on Montreal’s Pie-IX BRT, recently obtained by @tovarischmark.bsky.social in a request for information.
@ontariotrafficman.bsky.social is working his way through documents on transit signal priority on Montreal’s Pie-IX BRT, recently obtained by @tovarischmark.bsky.social in a request for information.
Oh my god. If I'm reading this correctly the TSP basically does nothing at all.
It seems the TSP only allows the green to be extended by 5 seconds. I really hope I'm misreading this. But it seems to indicate the green time for the bus phase (8) is minimum 82s (normal), maximum 87s (TSP)
It seems the TSP only allows the green to be extended by 5 seconds. I really hope I'm misreading this. But it seems to indicate the green time for the bus phase (8) is minimum 82s (normal), maximum 87s (TSP)
December 9, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Toronto is not the only city failing to provide strong signal priority for its transit projects!
@ontariotrafficman.bsky.social is working his way through documents on transit signal priority on Montreal’s Pie-IX BRT, recently obtained by @tovarischmark.bsky.social in a request for information.
@ontariotrafficman.bsky.social is working his way through documents on transit signal priority on Montreal’s Pie-IX BRT, recently obtained by @tovarischmark.bsky.social in a request for information.
What a coincidence, the map of higher-income areas of Toronto lines up with the map of shorter commutes.
And the lower-income areas (Scarborough and northern Etobicoke) have longer commutes!
Someone should do something about this.
And the lower-income areas (Scarborough and northern Etobicoke) have longer commutes!
Someone should do something about this.
December 9, 2025 at 2:27 AM
What a coincidence, the map of higher-income areas of Toronto lines up with the map of shorter commutes.
And the lower-income areas (Scarborough and northern Etobicoke) have longer commutes!
Someone should do something about this.
And the lower-income areas (Scarborough and northern Etobicoke) have longer commutes!
Someone should do something about this.
Today I learned that the first modern car sharing services in North America were started in Quebec City in 1994 (Auto-Com, which seems to no longer exist) and Montreal in 1995 (Communauto, which does still exist).
December 8, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Today I learned that the first modern car sharing services in North America were started in Quebec City in 1994 (Auto-Com, which seems to no longer exist) and Montreal in 1995 (Communauto, which does still exist).
The east end of Montreal has some of the longest commute times in the region. Longer than many off-island suburbs!
And yet I continue to hear people downplay the importance of transit speed when debating a REM versus a tram here.
The other priority for transit based on this? LaSalle and Lachine.
And yet I continue to hear people downplay the importance of transit speed when debating a REM versus a tram here.
The other priority for transit based on this? LaSalle and Lachine.
December 8, 2025 at 9:05 PM
The east end of Montreal has some of the longest commute times in the region. Longer than many off-island suburbs!
And yet I continue to hear people downplay the importance of transit speed when debating a REM versus a tram here.
The other priority for transit based on this? LaSalle and Lachine.
And yet I continue to hear people downplay the importance of transit speed when debating a REM versus a tram here.
The other priority for transit based on this? LaSalle and Lachine.
Wait, the Finch West LRT includes bike lanes for the whole corridor?
I‘ve change my mind. Great project. Worth every penny.
I‘ve change my mind. Great project. Worth every penny.
December 8, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Wait, the Finch West LRT includes bike lanes for the whole corridor?
I‘ve change my mind. Great project. Worth every penny.
I‘ve change my mind. Great project. Worth every penny.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
Inclusionary zoning is a way of transfering the cost of social housing from the general public to new condo buyers.
In some circumstances it might just be the cost of doing business. But it's not especially progressive.
In some circumstances it might just be the cost of doing business. But it's not especially progressive.
Inclusionary zoning* is a tax on new housing that worsens the housing shortage and drives up housing prices. It’s bad policy and we should stop doing it.
The city of Los Altos charges an inclusionary fee $255,000 per unit for 1500 sq ft townhouses.
December 8, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Inclusionary zoning is a way of transfering the cost of social housing from the general public to new condo buyers.
In some circumstances it might just be the cost of doing business. But it's not especially progressive.
In some circumstances it might just be the cost of doing business. But it's not especially progressive.
I’m sure I’m biased by having a YouTube channel.
But I watch substantially more YT than any other streaming platform. Paying for YouTube Premium just seems like a no-brainer.
Especially when it includes music access.
But I watch substantially more YT than any other streaming platform. Paying for YouTube Premium just seems like a no-brainer.
Especially when it includes music access.
I'm off all of those as well. Since YouTube makes up most of what I watch, I do pay for premium because I can't do ads.
December 7, 2025 at 11:50 PM
I’m sure I’m biased by having a YouTube channel.
But I watch substantially more YT than any other streaming platform. Paying for YouTube Premium just seems like a no-brainer.
Especially when it includes music access.
But I watch substantially more YT than any other streaming platform. Paying for YouTube Premium just seems like a no-brainer.
Especially when it includes music access.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
Metrolinx promised 33-34 min
TTC runs it at 54 min
Doesn’t bode well for Eglinton either
TTC runs it at 54 min
Doesn’t bode well for Eglinton either
Sharing this out from the Metrolinx website re: Finch W LRT
33-34 minutes from end to end, average speed of 20-21 km/hr.
33-34 minutes from end to end, average speed of 20-21 km/hr.
December 7, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Metrolinx promised 33-34 min
TTC runs it at 54 min
Doesn’t bode well for Eglinton either
TTC runs it at 54 min
Doesn’t bode well for Eglinton either
“There is limited signal priority permitted by the City of Toronto.” - Metrolinx
Not just months. It's been decided since at least 2020.
December 7, 2025 at 9:09 PM
“There is limited signal priority permitted by the City of Toronto.” - Metrolinx
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
It’s insane that within just a few weeks, two of Canada’s major cities opened polar opposite transit systems.
REM - An extension to a high frequency, fast, fully automated metro system
Finch West - A many years late, over budget, disastrously slow light rail line
REM - An extension to a high frequency, fast, fully automated metro system
Finch West - A many years late, over budget, disastrously slow light rail line
December 7, 2025 at 7:27 PM
It’s insane that within just a few weeks, two of Canada’s major cities opened polar opposite transit systems.
REM - An extension to a high frequency, fast, fully automated metro system
Finch West - A many years late, over budget, disastrously slow light rail line
REM - An extension to a high frequency, fast, fully automated metro system
Finch West - A many years late, over budget, disastrously slow light rail line
Not sure if the US is similar, but in Canada there’s an interesting split.
Soccer/football is the #1 organized sport for kids to play. Adults often play too.
But then it’s far behind hockey in terms of sports people watch.
(Rugby is another game that seems more common to play than to watch here.)
Soccer/football is the #1 organized sport for kids to play. Adults often play too.
But then it’s far behind hockey in terms of sports people watch.
(Rugby is another game that seems more common to play than to watch here.)
Americans don't even like football. From what I read and heard, the only Americans who managed to build an authentic and genuine football club culture, are the African American fans of a club in Atlanta.
December 7, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Not sure if the US is similar, but in Canada there’s an interesting split.
Soccer/football is the #1 organized sport for kids to play. Adults often play too.
But then it’s far behind hockey in terms of sports people watch.
(Rugby is another game that seems more common to play than to watch here.)
Soccer/football is the #1 organized sport for kids to play. Adults often play too.
But then it’s far behind hockey in terms of sports people watch.
(Rugby is another game that seems more common to play than to watch here.)
Montreal uses a white bar to give an advanced signal to buses.
When I first moved here, I actually didn’t realize what they meant (until I thought about it for five seconds).
When I first moved here, I actually didn’t realize what they meant (until I thought about it for five seconds).
December 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Montreal uses a white bar to give an advanced signal to buses.
When I first moved here, I actually didn’t realize what they meant (until I thought about it for five seconds).
When I first moved here, I actually didn’t realize what they meant (until I thought about it for five seconds).
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
The reason I'm very pessimistic about aggressive TSP in North America is that we have an engineering profession that is stuck in outdated practices and very entrenched. It's not just the car lobby. It's the very isolated professional world that fear innovation like it's cholera.
December 7, 2025 at 3:51 AM
The reason I'm very pessimistic about aggressive TSP in North America is that we have an engineering profession that is stuck in outdated practices and very entrenched. It's not just the car lobby. It's the very isolated professional world that fear innovation like it's cholera.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
Toronto making their new light rail signals look identical to traffic signals is deranged, and it's not even universally a Canadian thing. Check out these very MUTCD-lookin' signals in Edmonton (left) compared to the standard variety on SEPTA (right).
December 7, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Toronto making their new light rail signals look identical to traffic signals is deranged, and it's not even universally a Canadian thing. Check out these very MUTCD-lookin' signals in Edmonton (left) compared to the standard variety on SEPTA (right).
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
#PlowTheSidewalks field trip to Montreal.
December 7, 2025 at 5:35 AM
#PlowTheSidewalks field trip to Montreal.
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
Montréal plows it sidewalks
Sidewalk snow plow in Montréal
This is "Sidewalk snow plow in Montréal" by Steven Vance on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Montréal plows it sidewalks
Reposted by Oh The Urbanity!
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!
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.