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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 2d

You know someone’s really discovered biking when they say things like “It feels like I'm flying,” and they refer to their “physical and mental health” and commuting time as being “invaluable” rather than “angry and wasteful.” 🙌 #OttBike

Laine Johnson @lainejohnson.bsky.social · 2d

I've been up to something. For many, it's not worth making a big deal of it. But for me, it's been a goal for a long time. I started commuter cycling from #collegeward. I think it makes sense to share this as my entry into the #weekwithoutdriving challenge.

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 2d

Brava!

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 5d

a man with glasses and a mustache sitting in a crowd

ALT: a man with glasses and a mustache sitting in a crowd

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by William van Geest

APTN News @aptnnews.bsky.social · 6d

While the Nova Scotia government works to pass its controversial law that would make it illegal to block forest roads in the province, Mi’kmaw land protectors say they’re not going anywhere.

Mi’kmaw land protectors vow to hold their ground in face of new law

Mi'kmaw land protectors in Cape Breton say they're not going anywhere even if Nova Scotia passes law controversial law.

www.aptnnews.ca

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 6d

Pretty sweet to ride a biking facility so new, the paint’s still drying.

Feels like every time I return to Toronto, they’re installing new—and excellent—infrastructure. In this iteration (Harbord near Grace), they’ve installed beds within the new curbs—top notch. #CycleTO

Photo of a newly paved cycle track, with a pylon on top of apparently fresh paint.

Photo of a newly paved cycle track, with a c. 2’-wide bed with recently planted shrubs within the curbed area protecting cyclists from cars.

Photo of a newly paved cycle track, with a wider bed within the curbed area protecting cyclists from cars.

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Reposted by William van Geest

Families for Safe Streets @familiesforsafestreets.org · 6d

Who are non drivers?

@nrdc.org repport finds:

-34 million disabled people
-47 million young people (over 10 who don't own cars)
-5.6 million people who are 75+
-Millions of others who don't own their own vehicle

#WeekWithoutDriving

www.nrdc.org/resources/wh...

Who Doesn’t Have a Car?

A new NRDC map shows car-free living and the factors affecting car usage in United States.

www.nrdc.org

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 7d

a man in a red shirt says " make it so " in blue letters

ALT: a man in a red shirt says " make it so " in blue letters

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by William van Geest

BeijingPalmer @beijingpalmer.bsky.social · 9d

This is my regular reminder to everyone that jstor is open to the general public now; a free account there will give you access to 100 papers a year.

Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 9d

regrettably if you try to point this out online you'll get yelled out by 79208 journalists going OH SO YOU WANT JOURNALISTS TO STARVE??? even if you're, say, a journalist yourself, and point out that while there are clearly no easy answers, the status quo isn't exactly working for society

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

Also, a fun detail for #OttBike: game day at Lansdowne? Sorry, either walk or go around—or take a car, like a serious person. #OttBike #Autowa

Photo of a roll plan indicating that a cycle track is closed during events.

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

The lack of consideration for those biking to the meeting—i e., zero bike parking—should’ve been the first hint of where the project team’s mind was at. #OttBike #Autowa

Photo of a large number of bikes locked to a railing next to a street.

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“Why are you prioritizing the storage of private property over the safety and mobility for everyone?”

“We’re making improvements for all modes.” 🫤

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“Have you considered impact on accessibility on where bus can’t make it to the curb? Shouldn’t allow cars here.”

“We met with Accessibility Council, and this proposal improves on accessibility. We’re also adding TWSIs.” 🥴

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

Union rep: “Bus lanes make for safer streets. We’d like to make them 24/7.”

Also: “Will there be more enforcement? Signs won’t prevent illegal parking.”

No rep from enforcement. 🤷‍♂️

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“We would be remiss to not pursue the option with the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people. Could we not explore side streets for deliveries?”

No answer.

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“These improvements reduce bus travel times by 60 seconds. How much would travel times be improved by making bus lanes 24/7?”

“It’s not possible to study every single hour of the day.”

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“Bank St is the busiest transit corridor in the city. What needs to be done to have bus lanes?”

“60 seconds is the standard improvement. By adding bus lanes during peak hours, this will improve service.” Umm…thanks?

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“Studies elsewhere have shown that business owner exaggerate the importance of car parking and underestimate access by bike. What studies went into to prioritizing car parking over bus lanes?”

Don’t want parking increases on residential streets or limiting delivery options in front of businesses.

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“I’m a cyclist, and green paint isn’t going to protect me from a car.”

“It will improve the visibility a lot.“ 🙇

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“We spoke with numerous businesses, and without exception every worker supported bus lanes.”

“Not everyone think that this [dedicated bus lanes] is what we should do. We’re taking an important first step here.” 🙄

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“There are 140 [car-]parking spaces and 6,000 people who ride the bus in the corridor. How do you justify this?”

“We have to support our local businesses and the economy at this time.” 🤦‍♂️

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“It’s important for local businesses that cars be able to park.” Never mind that there’s a perpetually half-empty parking garage a block away; it’s not parking if it’s not directly in front of my destination! 😱

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 14d

“Cars have to be able to travel in the middle lanes, and that leaves the outside lanes for other things. Choices have to be made.”

Sooooo #Autowa. #BankStreet #OttCity

Strong Towns Ottawa @strongtownsottawa.ca · Sep 6

If you want to see a better Bank Street with a pilot project of 24/7 bus lanes instead of on-street parking, come to the open house the city is going to be holding and let them know!

September 24th, 6:30 pm, at Blessed Sacrament Parish (194 Fourth Avenue)!

Info : engage.ottawa.ca/bank-street-...

Bank Street Active Transportation and Transit Priority Feasibility Study

Open House Wednesday, September 24, 2025 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Presentation at 7pm Blessed Sacrament Parish, 194 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, K1S 2L6 The City of Ottawa will host an open house for the Bank Stree...

engage.ottawa.ca

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Reposted by William van Geest

Grist @grist.org · 19d

Defending the Earth is deadly work. A new report illuminates how much.

Nearly 150 land and environment defenders were killed or disappeared last year, most for standing up to mining and logging

grist.org/global-indig...

#Indigenous #climate #Mining #Logging #Environment #Tribes #Landback

Defending the Earth is deadly work. A new report illuminates how much.

Nearly 150 land and environment defenders were killed or disappeared last year, most for standing up to mining and logging.

grist.org

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 19d

How could I not??

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William van Geest @wvangeest.bsky.social · 19d

It’s not a 15-minute neighbourhood unless it has a jazz cafe. #Centretown #Ottawa #JazzAt248

Photo of a small jazz venue with an attentive crowd.

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