Elisabeth
@affabletoaster.bsky.social
Knitter, singer, reader, rider of bikes in Hfx, NS. Mum to Pebble & Rex (not their real names.)
🩷💜💙🚲🇨🇦 (she/her)
Reluctant urbanist (I love cities; I just wanna enjoy my life, not fight for it!)
🩷💜💙🚲🇨🇦 (she/her)
Reluctant urbanist (I love cities; I just wanna enjoy my life, not fight for it!)
Pinned
Elisabeth
@affabletoaster.bsky.social
· Jun 24
This has become the refrain I cling to. Planting these saplings with my entire broken heart.
Reposted by Elisabeth
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
December 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
Got our #treebybike yesterday evening! #BikeHfx
December 12, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Got our #treebybike yesterday evening! #BikeHfx
December 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Reposted by Elisabeth
The difference between e-bikes and e-motos in multiples of kitchen appliances:
1 Kitchenaid stand mixer: 500W
e-bike: 0.5-1.5 stand mixers
offroad/dirtbike e-moto: ~25 stand mixers
highway e-moto: ~150 stand mixers
basic family car: ~250 stand mixers
1 Kitchenaid stand mixer: 500W
e-bike: 0.5-1.5 stand mixers
offroad/dirtbike e-moto: ~25 stand mixers
highway e-moto: ~150 stand mixers
basic family car: ~250 stand mixers
December 3, 2025 at 2:10 AM
The difference between e-bikes and e-motos in multiples of kitchen appliances:
1 Kitchenaid stand mixer: 500W
e-bike: 0.5-1.5 stand mixers
offroad/dirtbike e-moto: ~25 stand mixers
highway e-moto: ~150 stand mixers
basic family car: ~250 stand mixers
1 Kitchenaid stand mixer: 500W
e-bike: 0.5-1.5 stand mixers
offroad/dirtbike e-moto: ~25 stand mixers
highway e-moto: ~150 stand mixers
basic family car: ~250 stand mixers
Reposted by Elisabeth
This is a reminder for all cyclists to file your T-7725C with the Canada Revenue Agency to ensure you don't pay any taxes. This is a very real thing, and it is what completely justifies drivers wanting to murder us. Like, it's completely understandable.
See also…
Enforcement of traffic laws is a “cash grab” but also we need to “see some tax contribution” from cyclists because we need more money for roads.
Enforcement of traffic laws is a “cash grab” but also we need to “see some tax contribution” from cyclists because we need more money for roads.
December 2, 2025 at 3:39 PM
This is a reminder for all cyclists to file your T-7725C with the Canada Revenue Agency to ensure you don't pay any taxes. This is a very real thing, and it is what completely justifies drivers wanting to murder us. Like, it's completely understandable.
Do I get points for losing my kid’s snowpants before he does?
December 2, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Do I get points for losing my kid’s snowpants before he does?
Tales from the dashcam NS FB group today: Drivers are up in arms because there could be *checks notes* camera-based enforcement of road laws.
From one genius, “As if life isn’t tough enough for most people…”
Won’t somebody please think of the dangerous drivers. Their lives are very hard.
From one genius, “As if life isn’t tough enough for most people…”
Won’t somebody please think of the dangerous drivers. Their lives are very hard.
December 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Tales from the dashcam NS FB group today: Drivers are up in arms because there could be *checks notes* camera-based enforcement of road laws.
From one genius, “As if life isn’t tough enough for most people…”
Won’t somebody please think of the dangerous drivers. Their lives are very hard.
From one genius, “As if life isn’t tough enough for most people…”
Won’t somebody please think of the dangerous drivers. Their lives are very hard.
Reposted by Elisabeth
Attention #KidicalMassHfx families. Anyone have an e-cargo bike they are looking to sell?!
Hi Halifax bike pals! Just putting this out into the bike universe— we’re looking to buy an e-cargo bike that would fit 2 kids on the back (RadWagon or similar). If your family has outgrown yours, let’s chat!
November 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Attention #KidicalMassHfx families. Anyone have an e-cargo bike they are looking to sell?!
Reposted by Elisabeth
Rex doesn’t enjoy switching modes (relatable), so getting from home to daycare in the morning can be a challenge.
Today we was trying to distract me so we didn’t walk into the centre. Then he suddenly said “Oh no, they’re coming, we have to get in!!!” and dashed in the door.
1/
Today we was trying to distract me so we didn’t walk into the centre. Then he suddenly said “Oh no, they’re coming, we have to get in!!!” and dashed in the door.
1/
December 1, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Rex doesn’t enjoy switching modes (relatable), so getting from home to daycare in the morning can be a challenge.
Today we was trying to distract me so we didn’t walk into the centre. Then he suddenly said “Oh no, they’re coming, we have to get in!!!” and dashed in the door.
1/
Today we was trying to distract me so we didn’t walk into the centre. Then he suddenly said “Oh no, they’re coming, we have to get in!!!” and dashed in the door.
1/
We were driving yesterday in that awful rush hour. Spent 15+ min on two blocks of Joe Howe. Commuters’ frustration is real and understandable, and the (lack of) solutions being offered to them is inexcusable.
The response seems to be 1) Scapegoat active transportation, or 2) 🤷🏼♀️.
The response seems to be 1) Scapegoat active transportation, or 2) 🤷🏼♀️.
November 28, 2025 at 7:11 PM
We were driving yesterday in that awful rush hour. Spent 15+ min on two blocks of Joe Howe. Commuters’ frustration is real and understandable, and the (lack of) solutions being offered to them is inexcusable.
The response seems to be 1) Scapegoat active transportation, or 2) 🤷🏼♀️.
The response seems to be 1) Scapegoat active transportation, or 2) 🤷🏼♀️.
I am always tickled at how easily little old me, a 5’2” frumpy mom with a cargo bike, can trigger panic and discomfort in other road users when I point out a transgression (even very gently).
If you don’t want someone to notice you endangering lives, endanger fewer lives.
If you don’t want someone to notice you endangering lives, endanger fewer lives.
He ignored me for the rest of the red light, then sped off during the leading pedestrian interval to get away from me lol.
3/
3/
November 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I am always tickled at how easily little old me, a 5’2” frumpy mom with a cargo bike, can trigger panic and discomfort in other road users when I point out a transgression (even very gently).
If you don’t want someone to notice you endangering lives, endanger fewer lives.
If you don’t want someone to notice you endangering lives, endanger fewer lives.
Not-so-fun #BikeHfx interaction today…
Dude in camo on bike: *close-passes a ~10yo pedestrian on a park path, on right without warning*
Me: *behind him about 50 ft, comes up and checks in verbally with the kid, who says he’s fine. I catch up with the other cyclist at the next red light*
1/
Dude in camo on bike: *close-passes a ~10yo pedestrian on a park path, on right without warning*
Me: *behind him about 50 ft, comes up and checks in verbally with the kid, who says he’s fine. I catch up with the other cyclist at the next red light*
1/
November 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Not-so-fun #BikeHfx interaction today…
Dude in camo on bike: *close-passes a ~10yo pedestrian on a park path, on right without warning*
Me: *behind him about 50 ft, comes up and checks in verbally with the kid, who says he’s fine. I catch up with the other cyclist at the next red light*
1/
Dude in camo on bike: *close-passes a ~10yo pedestrian on a park path, on right without warning*
Me: *behind him about 50 ft, comes up and checks in verbally with the kid, who says he’s fine. I catch up with the other cyclist at the next red light*
1/
I interrupt this #BikeSky content with some knitting content: I wanted to wear a newly-knitted cowl today but it didn’t dry all the way overnight, so now it’s draped over my office space heater and my office smells like wet sheep.
November 21, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I interrupt this #BikeSky content with some knitting content: I wanted to wear a newly-knitted cowl today but it didn’t dry all the way overnight, so now it’s draped over my office space heater and my office smells like wet sheep.
If you see this, post your getaway vehicle.
(Nice try, cop.)
(Nice try, cop.)
November 20, 2025 at 12:24 AM
If you see this, post your getaway vehicle.
(Nice try, cop.)
(Nice try, cop.)
Reposted by Elisabeth
It's critically important that communities make distinctions between e-bikes and e-motos when implementing regulations, and that starts with a solid definition of an e-moto. Lumping both into the same regulatory bucket will hinder the expansion of e-bikes as a powerful mobility tool.
November 13, 2025 at 11:06 PM
It's critically important that communities make distinctions between e-bikes and e-motos when implementing regulations, and that starts with a solid definition of an e-moto. Lumping both into the same regulatory bucket will hinder the expansion of e-bikes as a powerful mobility tool.
Reposted by Elisabeth
Wishing a very merry “Mom, can you eat this? I don’t like caramel.” 2-weeks-after-Halloween to all who celebrate.
November 12, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Wishing a very merry “Mom, can you eat this? I don’t like caramel.” 2-weeks-after-Halloween to all who celebrate.
Reposted by Elisabeth
"Remember the reasons why Canada has gone to war in the first place, not who they sent. Remember, and prevent it from happening again". Spot on @landofsticks.bsky.social
If you go to a ceremony today, please remember why you're there.
Remembering to forget
Editor’s Note: Matt Stickland has been in the military for 10 years and deployed to Libya in 2011 on HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN. On November 11, as a country we will gather and remember…
dalgazette.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:17 PM
"Remember the reasons why Canada has gone to war in the first place, not who they sent. Remember, and prevent it from happening again". Spot on @landofsticks.bsky.social
Saw so many parents and their kids on bikes this morning in the downpour, in many cases supported by separated bike infrastructure that makes biking in the rain safer.
I pointed two families out to Pebble, only to realize we know both of them! I love people who bike in Halifax! #BikeHfx
I pointed two families out to Pebble, only to realize we know both of them! I love people who bike in Halifax! #BikeHfx
November 10, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Saw so many parents and their kids on bikes this morning in the downpour, in many cases supported by separated bike infrastructure that makes biking in the rain safer.
I pointed two families out to Pebble, only to realize we know both of them! I love people who bike in Halifax! #BikeHfx
I pointed two families out to Pebble, only to realize we know both of them! I love people who bike in Halifax! #BikeHfx
When the I Light Hfx ride came to the Oval yesterday, and for a couple laps the street noise faded away and it was just a ring of peaceful, glowing bikes and #BikeJoy, I felt my shoulders relax for the first time in a long time.
November 9, 2025 at 2:51 PM
When the I Light Hfx ride came to the Oval yesterday, and for a couple laps the street noise faded away and it was just a ring of peaceful, glowing bikes and #BikeJoy, I felt my shoulders relax for the first time in a long time.
Reposted by Elisabeth
The #BikeHFX community is amazing. So many people showing up in the rain, great music, bright lights, and lots of skilled marshals. Thanks everyone!
November 9, 2025 at 2:29 AM
The #BikeHFX community is amazing. So many people showing up in the rain, great music, bright lights, and lots of skilled marshals. Thanks everyone!
Absolutely delightful I Light Hfx tonight. A little dampness can’t keep Haligonian cyclists from a shiny party.
It was lovely to see so many #BikeHfx people tonight! I managed to chat with more folks than usual tonight but I still missed a bunch of you. Hi!!!
It was lovely to see so many #BikeHfx people tonight! I managed to chat with more folks than usual tonight but I still missed a bunch of you. Hi!!!
November 9, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Absolutely delightful I Light Hfx tonight. A little dampness can’t keep Haligonian cyclists from a shiny party.
It was lovely to see so many #BikeHfx people tonight! I managed to chat with more folks than usual tonight but I still missed a bunch of you. Hi!!!
It was lovely to see so many #BikeHfx people tonight! I managed to chat with more folks than usual tonight but I still missed a bunch of you. Hi!!!
On the way home from the shop I promptly laid the bike down on a turn. Only time I’ve ever done that while in motion (typically I’ve overbalanced while standing still).
I was crossing a high curb cut with a lot of wet leaves on it (Windsor into the cemetery) and I hit it at an angle. Bad idea!
I was crossing a high curb cut with a lot of wet leaves on it (Windsor into the cemetery) and I hit it at an angle. Bad idea!
November 8, 2025 at 6:37 PM
On the way home from the shop I promptly laid the bike down on a turn. Only time I’ve ever done that while in motion (typically I’ve overbalanced while standing still).
I was crossing a high curb cut with a lot of wet leaves on it (Windsor into the cemetery) and I hit it at an angle. Bad idea!
I was crossing a high curb cut with a lot of wet leaves on it (Windsor into the cemetery) and I hit it at an angle. Bad idea!