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Patrick Johnstone

@pjnewwest.bsky.social

1.6K followers 320 following 1.5K posts

Former Citizen of the Year, current Mayor of New Westminster, though nothing here is Official City Communications. Every step from wrenches to ichnofacies to peristaltic pumps to rabble rousing to Public Policy made sense at the time... Go Dumples!

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · Nov 15

Hey new followers. I’m an Environmental Geologist who became Mayor of a really cool city. Historic (by Canadian west coast standards), young & diverse (in demographics), dense, transit-oriented, compassionate, and punching above our weight on climate, housing, & reconciliation. It’s called #NewWest

A crowd of people viewed from the stage at a street festival.

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 7h

Why make 1 pie when you can make 10?

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 1d

London street has been a conversation in the community for a few months, here is where #NewWest Council landed on Monday regarding safety improvements and addressing community feedback: www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/10/lond...

London Street

If you follow Council (and if you don’t, what are you doing reading this!?) you have probably seen the saga of the London Street bikeway project. Before I report on all of Monday’s Council me…

www.patrickjohnstone.ca

Reposted by Patrick Johnstone

Tony Jordan @tonyjordan.bsky.social · 3d

Imagine if a water pipe broke and the water department had to ask city council whether to fix it and then spend 12 months asking everyone on the street their opinion of how to fix it before they could start work.

That's how cities manage curbs.

Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · 3d

This is the process chart for the City of Bellevue's potential plan to add parking meters.

Fourteen steps completed over the course of one year

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 4d

👀

Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com · 4d

When newly-elected Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson started converting car lanes to bike lanes in 2009, pundits claimed it was political suicide. In 2018, he stepped down after three terms as the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. So what can this tale teach us about so-called "bikelash"?🧵

People of all ages and abilities ride bicycles on protected cycling infrastructure on the streets of Downtown Vancouver.

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 4d

finally had time to write up my report on #UBCM2025. #NewWest was there, had some good meetings, some good learnings, and engaged in great debate with our colleagues across the province on resolutions. Here's a summary: www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/10/ubcm...

UBCM 2025

If you follow my social media, you might note I was at UBCM last week. The Union of BC Municipalities is the annual conference/convention for local government leaders from across the province, and …

www.patrickjohnstone.ca

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 4d

...a fresh take on the Golgafrinchan approach.

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 5d

Hey #Newwest! There is an open house at Glenbrook Fire Hall today until 2:00. Drop by! Fun activities for all ages, Hot Dogs, fire safety info, and more!

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 6d

My dad.

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 6d

Part 3 of my video series on housing. We are starting to fill the affordable housing need in #NewWest, and are getting hurdles out of the way, but need significant senior gov't investment to meet our need and our real target: a time when everyone in #NewWest can afford a secure home.

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 7d

And the 104. And the 410. And a half dozen SkyTrain rides. It was a very #GoByTransit day.

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 7d

It’s #GoByTransitWeek! @movementyvr.bsky.social
Take a bus this week, you’ll never know what friends you’ll meet.

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 7d

It seems the the existing intersection cameras are reaching end-of-life. ICBC will need to make some decisions soon, so it is important we keep pressure on them and MOTT to remind them that our communities are asking for more safety and enforcement, not less.

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 7d

I continue to be disappointed that the Province hasn't moved on this. www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/02/mcbr...

McBride

Last night, another New Westminster pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on McBride Boulevard, and died of their injuries. My heart aches for the person who died, their bereaved family, and the drive…

www.patrickjohnstone.ca

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 7d

...well, "friends" actually. Including Ambulance Paramedics of B.C., Family Practice doctors, the Medical Health Officer, transportation advocates and police, and anyone who has crossed McBride at a crosswalk... www.vancouverisawesome.com/new-west-rec...

Improving road safety: New Westminster calls for more cameras

New Westminster looks to boost safety with more intersection cameras

www.vancouverisawesome.com

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 7d

How much would it cost to ship a dozen surplus speed cameras from Ontario to #NewWest?
Asking for a friend.

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 8d

“You don’t win friends with salad!” sang conga-line style every time I am asked if I would like salad.

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 9d

not even the most controversial disagreement I had with the Music Man.

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 9d

We had a #NewWest Council meeting yesterday, here's an (relatively unbiased) rundown of what went down: www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/09/coun...

Council – Sept 29, 2025

Back for the UBCM (report soon) and back to your regular Council schedule. Our Monday meeting had a fairly light Agenda, though we first had a presentation from TICorp on progress on the Pattullo B…

www.patrickjohnstone.ca

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 9d

TODAY! Join Spirit of the Children, Qayqayt First Nation, and New Westminster in marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Queens Park South Field. 11:00 - 4:00.

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 10d

I mean LA is gross, but nowhere as unpleasant as Phoenix.
Johannesburg was challenging for any non-local.
Gary Indiana is dismal to be even driving near.
But Sihanoukville, Cambodia wins for wildly unplanned overdevelopment, dirty, discordant, disconnected, and chaotic only in bad and unfun ways.

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 10d

…and I was going to say “rolling in his grave”, but considering Shoup’s respect for fair allocation of public space, I can’t imagine him allowing his family to purchase some just for the long-term storage of his mortal vessel.

I might be overthinking this

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 10d

I’m not a religious person but I imagine the late Donald Shoup looking down on this #NewWest council meeting as parking policy is made up on the fly…

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 11d

Its a different world but Pogi will need to keep this pace for another 6-7 years to match Eddy's palmares. Grand tour wins 11-5; Grand tour stages 64-30; Monuments 19-9. I can't believe I'm saying this, but he might do it.

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Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 11d

must be lonely out there on those 66km solo breaks.

Patrick Johnstone @pjnewwest.bsky.social · 12d

To fix the headline: First Canadian Rainbow Jersey winner in Road Race. Our first rainbow was Cindy Devine (downhill Mountain Bike 1990), followed by Tania Dubnicoff (Track Sprint in 1993), Alison Sydor (Cross Country Mountain bike 1994). But Elite Road Race is the premier event. This is huge.