Erik de Vries
@erikwdv.bsky.social
Bikes, dad jokes, urbanism, and cats. Occasionally beer and baseball. Victoria and Ottawa are home.
Reposted by Erik de Vries
Why the city continues to entertain these stupid and obviously bad faith arguments is beyond me.
November 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Why the city continues to entertain these stupid and obviously bad faith arguments is beyond me.
Oh, this is what happened in Ottawa! A single bus route was replaced by an LRT, value-engineered to within an inch of its life, that meant two outdoor transfers to downtown instead.
Seattle used to have a lovely express bus from downtown to the airport and a couple of airlines would even let you check your bags at the bus stop. Then they built a train that took 2x the time and let you out kilometre from the terminal. After that they ended the bus service.
November 15, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Oh, this is what happened in Ottawa! A single bus route was replaced by an LRT, value-engineered to within an inch of its life, that meant two outdoor transfers to downtown instead.
The very predictable and oft-heard answer — that people who can afford to fly are so rich that they don’t need transit — is outdated and irrelevant. Transit is good for everyone: it lowers traffic and reduces greenhouse gases, irrespective of who is using it.
Stop the presses!
Next week, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission will consider the option of creating a one-seat (direct) ride from downtown Victoria to YYJ and on to Swartz Bay. This would be achieved by altering the 72 line and re-routing it to YYJ.
Thoughts? Would you take the bus to YYJ?
Next week, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission will consider the option of creating a one-seat (direct) ride from downtown Victoria to YYJ and on to Swartz Bay. This would be achieved by altering the 72 line and re-routing it to YYJ.
Thoughts? Would you take the bus to YYJ?
November 15, 2025 at 3:27 AM
The very predictable and oft-heard answer — that people who can afford to fly are so rich that they don’t need transit — is outdated and irrelevant. Transit is good for everyone: it lowers traffic and reduces greenhouse gases, irrespective of who is using it.
Reposted by Erik de Vries
This so much!
Parents (usually mothers) in car-centric areas are forced to chauffeur their kids around. It also means they emphasize predictable, scheduled activities (like sports leagues) that cost money.
Youth mobility gives kids freedom, saves money, and reduces the unpaid-labor burden on women
Parents (usually mothers) in car-centric areas are forced to chauffeur their kids around. It also means they emphasize predictable, scheduled activities (like sports leagues) that cost money.
Youth mobility gives kids freedom, saves money, and reduces the unpaid-labor burden on women
Just preaching my message of "wanting to do less more often" we all have our reasons.
November 11, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This so much!
Parents (usually mothers) in car-centric areas are forced to chauffeur their kids around. It also means they emphasize predictable, scheduled activities (like sports leagues) that cost money.
Youth mobility gives kids freedom, saves money, and reduces the unpaid-labor burden on women
Parents (usually mothers) in car-centric areas are forced to chauffeur their kids around. It also means they emphasize predictable, scheduled activities (like sports leagues) that cost money.
Youth mobility gives kids freedom, saves money, and reduces the unpaid-labor burden on women
Ottawa 2.0: there’s still a bit of non-privatized green space you can use for 3.0.
November 9, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Ottawa 2.0: there’s still a bit of non-privatized green space you can use for 3.0.
I’m sure this feels like it matters a lot but I’m just wondering how somebody reading this in 1925 or 1825 or 825 would respond.
November 9, 2025 at 6:40 AM
I’m sure this feels like it matters a lot but I’m just wondering how somebody reading this in 1925 or 1825 or 825 would respond.
Reposted by Erik de Vries
It’s a predictable pattern. Suburban and rural (mainly) voted to spend more, get less, align themselves with private interest to fund a project that doesn’t affect them, delivering lower value at the expense of urban quality of life and wrecking women’s pro hockey in the capital.
How council voted on key amendments to Lansdowne 2.0 ottawacitizen.com/news/how-cou...
November 8, 2025 at 5:39 PM
It’s a predictable pattern. Suburban and rural (mainly) voted to spend more, get less, align themselves with private interest to fund a project that doesn’t affect them, delivering lower value at the expense of urban quality of life and wrecking women’s pro hockey in the capital.
Why I will oppose amalgamation in Victoria, example #296. www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
Council approves $418.8 million plan for new arena, north-side stands at Lansdowne
The multi-million-dollar Lansdowne 2.0 plan passed its final test Friday, as Ottawa City Council voted 15 to 10 in favour of proceeding with the plan to build a new event centre and north-side stands ...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 7, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Why I will oppose amalgamation in Victoria, example #296. www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
On the one hand, I’m glad I was able to get the shingles vax - it’s a very painful disease that is more likely to hit you as you get older. On the other hand, I woke up feeling like I had the worst hangover in history. Hot tip: schedule it before a day you can take off work.
November 7, 2025 at 9:47 PM
On the one hand, I’m glad I was able to get the shingles vax - it’s a very painful disease that is more likely to hit you as you get older. On the other hand, I woke up feeling like I had the worst hangover in history. Hot tip: schedule it before a day you can take off work.
Well, that was a disappointment.
November 2, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Well, that was a disappointment.
Whatever happens tomorrow, on Sunday I will be looking up the reporting day for pitchers and catchers.
November 1, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Whatever happens tomorrow, on Sunday I will be looking up the reporting day for pitchers and catchers.
All in all, it’s just another
November 1, 2025 at 3:41 AM
All in all, it’s just another
The finalists for Most Dramatic Wall Moment From The Last 40 Years award
November 1, 2025 at 3:38 AM
The finalists for Most Dramatic Wall Moment From The Last 40 Years award
Not running over kids on Hallowe’en: yet another woke salvo in the war on cars.
once again posting The Chart
October 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Not running over kids on Hallowe’en: yet another woke salvo in the war on cars.
The most disappointing thing for online Dodgers fans today is that they can’t blame Springer “cheating” for their loss.
October 30, 2025 at 3:16 AM
The most disappointing thing for online Dodgers fans today is that they can’t blame Springer “cheating” for their loss.
Reposted by Erik de Vries
There's never been a better time to bike or take public transit.
Average new-vehicle manufacturer’s suggested retail prices hit an all-time high last month, reaching $52k, up 4.2% from last year.
(The best selling vehicle in the U.S. is a ford truck that sells for more than 65k)
All that “freedom” to be stuck in car dependency & traffic sure sounds expensive.
(The best selling vehicle in the U.S. is a ford truck that sells for more than 65k)
All that “freedom” to be stuck in car dependency & traffic sure sounds expensive.
Average U.S. New Car Prices Top $50,000 For The First Time Ever
Prices for new vehicles have risen steadily in the last year as the pace of price increases has sped up in recent months, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book.
www.forbes.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
There's never been a better time to bike or take public transit.
I’m not one to celebrate the misfortunes of others. But in the case of the New York Yankees, I make an exception.
October 9, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I’m not one to celebrate the misfortunes of others. But in the case of the New York Yankees, I make an exception.
I don’t post about sports much here, but the Jays crushing the smug, confident, presumptuous Yankees is pretty satisfying. Vladimir Guerrero laughing and yelling, “Daaaaaa Yankees Lose!” was especially fun tonight.
October 9, 2025 at 5:48 AM
I don’t post about sports much here, but the Jays crushing the smug, confident, presumptuous Yankees is pretty satisfying. Vladimir Guerrero laughing and yelling, “Daaaaaa Yankees Lose!” was especially fun tonight.
Kids being separated from their parents in the middle of the night, toddlers being zip-tied by masked government employees. How much more will it take before Americans have had enough and take action?
Adults and children alike were pulled from their Chicago apartments, crying and screaming, during a large overnight raid that has left tenants and neighbors shaken. https://cnn.it/4pPCXIt
37 people arrested and American kids separated from parents after ICE raid at Chicago apartments | CNN
Adults and children alike were pulled from their Chicago apartments, crying and screaming, during a large overnight raid that has left tenants and neighbors shaken.
www.cnn.com
October 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Kids being separated from their parents in the middle of the night, toddlers being zip-tied by masked government employees. How much more will it take before Americans have had enough and take action?
This is one of those mornings when I read the news and am flooded anew with relief at having left Ontario.
October 3, 2025 at 3:56 PM
This is one of those mornings when I read the news and am flooded anew with relief at having left Ontario.
Vancouver is SO melodramatic once fall starts.
October 1, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Vancouver is SO melodramatic once fall starts.
I took my daughter to downtown LA in March for a week: our goal was to enjoy the city itself. Disney and studios were not on the list. DTLA is a little rundown, but it did not seem dangerous. But it took forever to get anywhere. Transit is underdeveloped, and driving is a nightmare.
It would be a snap to spend a week in LA, just visiting neighborhoods you’ve seen, heard or read about in popular media & history - IF there was a plan and non-corrupt administrators.
Take BIDs back & install real local urban planning teams. If the existing biz knew how to spend it, they failed.
Take BIDs back & install real local urban planning teams. If the existing biz knew how to spend it, they failed.
September 29, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I took my daughter to downtown LA in March for a week: our goal was to enjoy the city itself. Disney and studios were not on the list. DTLA is a little rundown, but it did not seem dangerous. But it took forever to get anywhere. Transit is underdeveloped, and driving is a nightmare.
This argument reminds me of having to clean my plate when I was a kid because there were children starving in other countries.
September 29, 2025 at 6:34 PM
This argument reminds me of having to clean my plate when I was a kid because there were children starving in other countries.
Oh, this new path along Ross Bay is just a delight. I had seem some complaining on the Oak Bay FB group that there isn’t enough room for cars, but they did just fine when they slowed down - which I suspect is part of the point. Amazing work by @victoria.ca.
September 20, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Oh, this new path along Ross Bay is just a delight. I had seem some complaining on the Oak Bay FB group that there isn’t enough room for cars, but they did just fine when they slowed down - which I suspect is part of the point. Amazing work by @victoria.ca.
This can’t be right. I have heard repeatedly that housing prices don’t respond to supply, and that the real problem is stone countertops in condos. Why are they hiding the research on stone countertops? /s
I am shocked -- shocked! -- to learn that housing prices fell the most in metros where inventory of homes increased by a lot. via @harvard-jchs.bsky.social
www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/home-pr...
www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/home-pr...
September 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
This can’t be right. I have heard repeatedly that housing prices don’t respond to supply, and that the real problem is stone countertops in condos. Why are they hiding the research on stone countertops? /s