Alina Rehkopf
@arehkopf.bsky.social
Anti-capitalist leftist, powerlifter, environmentalist, recovering overachiever, ebike commuter, KI grad, trying to figure out how to apply urbanism in rural Ontario.
I stick needles in people for a living.
Ontario 🇨🇦
I stick needles in people for a living.
Ontario 🇨🇦
Pinned
Alina Rehkopf
@arehkopf.bsky.social
· Nov 13
New people, hi! ✧\(>o<)ﾉ✧
My day job is Acupuncturist + Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner so feel free to ask questions abt acu, cupping, herbal meds, moxa, etc.
I train as a powerlifter + advocate for MOAR bike lanes, killing your lawn, and better housing policy too.
My day job is Acupuncturist + Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner so feel free to ask questions abt acu, cupping, herbal meds, moxa, etc.
I train as a powerlifter + advocate for MOAR bike lanes, killing your lawn, and better housing policy too.
Seeing Superman go on a rampage against car culture was very satisfying lol.
I loved that. Immediately went on ebay to find that issue (not that I would be able to afford it) but seems like there are very few in existence as you'd expect. At least you can read it online. tombrevoort.com/2021/06/20/t...
The Greatest Superman Story Ever Told
Superman has been with us for more that 80 years at this point. He’s become an icon, he was the flash-point for the success of an entire industry and he set the standard and the style for the…
tombrevoort.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Seeing Superman go on a rampage against car culture was very satisfying lol.
As they should.
Everyone booed at Don Valley Station and chanted "Science Centre"
February 8, 2026 at 4:17 PM
As they should.
Reposted by Alina Rehkopf
spent all of today designing+putting together line 5 bingo cards for tomorrow!
my reservations about L5 aside, this is going to be a very exciting day, and the biggest transit expansion I've seen in my whole life living here :)
my reservations about L5 aside, this is going to be a very exciting day, and the biggest transit expansion I've seen in my whole life living here :)
February 8, 2026 at 3:46 AM
spent all of today designing+putting together line 5 bingo cards for tomorrow!
my reservations about L5 aside, this is going to be a very exciting day, and the biggest transit expansion I've seen in my whole life living here :)
my reservations about L5 aside, this is going to be a very exciting day, and the biggest transit expansion I've seen in my whole life living here :)
🙄
And yet the Ford government will take over multiple school boards on the premise that they have mismanaged their finances.
February 8, 2026 at 4:14 PM
🙄
Racing the bus on the Eglinton LRT.
It seems to move pretty quickly, let's hope the end-to-end times only get faster.
#EglintonLRT #EglintonLine #TTC
It seems to move pretty quickly, let's hope the end-to-end times only get faster.
#EglintonLRT #EglintonLine #TTC
February 8, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Racing the bus on the Eglinton LRT.
It seems to move pretty quickly, let's hope the end-to-end times only get faster.
#EglintonLRT #EglintonLine #TTC
It seems to move pretty quickly, let's hope the end-to-end times only get faster.
#EglintonLRT #EglintonLine #TTC
All-in-all it's about what I expected and I'm mostly mad that for the 7 years I lived in Toronto I was hoping this would be part of my regular transiting and it got delayed so FU*KING LONG that the pandemic pushed me out of the city before that.
But it's running now. Hooray. 🎉
But it's running now. Hooray. 🎉
February 8, 2026 at 4:05 PM
All-in-all it's about what I expected and I'm mostly mad that for the 7 years I lived in Toronto I was hoping this would be part of my regular transiting and it got delayed so FU*KING LONG that the pandemic pushed me out of the city before that.
But it's running now. Hooray. 🎉
But it's running now. Hooray. 🎉
More bad:
- LONG walks to get to the LRT platform at some stations. I get it, it's hard to build around existing infrastructure. I would like to see how that plays out for ppl with physical limitations/disabilities.
- So white everywhere, there IS art but can we be less colour adverse?
- LONG walks to get to the LRT platform at some stations. I get it, it's hard to build around existing infrastructure. I would like to see how that plays out for ppl with physical limitations/disabilities.
- So white everywhere, there IS art but can we be less colour adverse?
February 8, 2026 at 4:05 PM
More bad:
- LONG walks to get to the LRT platform at some stations. I get it, it's hard to build around existing infrastructure. I would like to see how that plays out for ppl with physical limitations/disabilities.
- So white everywhere, there IS art but can we be less colour adverse?
- LONG walks to get to the LRT platform at some stations. I get it, it's hard to build around existing infrastructure. I would like to see how that plays out for ppl with physical limitations/disabilities.
- So white everywhere, there IS art but can we be less colour adverse?
The bad:
- Too many stops. In some spots we barely got up to speed before slowing down and sometimes spent more time waiting at a light than moving
- A few LONG waits at lights. 30 sec to 1 min. The car wasn't packed and there were almost 100 ppl on it. Should absolutely have signal priority.
- Too many stops. In some spots we barely got up to speed before slowing down and sometimes spent more time waiting at a light than moving
- A few LONG waits at lights. 30 sec to 1 min. The car wasn't packed and there were almost 100 ppl on it. Should absolutely have signal priority.
February 8, 2026 at 4:05 PM
The bad:
- Too many stops. In some spots we barely got up to speed before slowing down and sometimes spent more time waiting at a light than moving
- A few LONG waits at lights. 30 sec to 1 min. The car wasn't packed and there were almost 100 ppl on it. Should absolutely have signal priority.
- Too many stops. In some spots we barely got up to speed before slowing down and sometimes spent more time waiting at a light than moving
- A few LONG waits at lights. 30 sec to 1 min. The car wasn't packed and there were almost 100 ppl on it. Should absolutely have signal priority.
More good:
- English and French stop announcements makes it feel like we're a serious city lol
- Lit underground tunnels, doesn't feel as cave-like as the subway
- English and French stop announcements makes it feel like we're a serious city lol
- Lit underground tunnels, doesn't feel as cave-like as the subway
February 8, 2026 at 4:05 PM
More good:
- English and French stop announcements makes it feel like we're a serious city lol
- Lit underground tunnels, doesn't feel as cave-like as the subway
- English and French stop announcements makes it feel like we're a serious city lol
- Lit underground tunnels, doesn't feel as cave-like as the subway
The good:
- Clear signage, wayfinding wasn't difficult (I got out @ Cedarvale, that station is a maze of underground paths)
- Smooth ride, felt less jerky than streetcars
- Top speed somewhere b/t 50-60kmph? I'm guessing but a group of ppl was tracking it between stops and I was trying to eavesdrop
- Clear signage, wayfinding wasn't difficult (I got out @ Cedarvale, that station is a maze of underground paths)
- Smooth ride, felt less jerky than streetcars
- Top speed somewhere b/t 50-60kmph? I'm guessing but a group of ppl was tracking it between stops and I was trying to eavesdrop
February 8, 2026 at 4:05 PM
The good:
- Clear signage, wayfinding wasn't difficult (I got out @ Cedarvale, that station is a maze of underground paths)
- Smooth ride, felt less jerky than streetcars
- Top speed somewhere b/t 50-60kmph? I'm guessing but a group of ppl was tracking it between stops and I was trying to eavesdrop
- Clear signage, wayfinding wasn't difficult (I got out @ Cedarvale, that station is a maze of underground paths)
- Smooth ride, felt less jerky than streetcars
- Top speed somewhere b/t 50-60kmph? I'm guessing but a group of ppl was tracking it between stops and I was trying to eavesdrop
Heading home later, but first I HAD to ride the Eglinton LRT for opening day. They're handing out route maps and little magnets!
Everything is very shiny and new and seems to be running well. Lots of people who are literally just out here to ride it end-to-end.
Here's my non-expert review:
Everything is very shiny and new and seems to be running well. Lots of people who are literally just out here to ride it end-to-end.
Here's my non-expert review:
February 8, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Heading home later, but first I HAD to ride the Eglinton LRT for opening day. They're handing out route maps and little magnets!
Everything is very shiny and new and seems to be running well. Lots of people who are literally just out here to ride it end-to-end.
Here's my non-expert review:
Everything is very shiny and new and seems to be running well. Lots of people who are literally just out here to ride it end-to-end.
Here's my non-expert review:
Okay, so I need to know how we can get these to every elementary school in the province stat.
February 7, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Okay, so I need to know how we can get these to every elementary school in the province stat.
That might also stop the local residents from complaining about how many people drive through our area without spending money at the local businesses.
Turn some of those car trips into cycle touring ppl and all of a sudden you have stops at local coffee shops, restaurants, and B&B instead.
Turn some of those car trips into cycle touring ppl and all of a sudden you have stops at local coffee shops, restaurants, and B&B instead.
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 PM
That might also stop the local residents from complaining about how many people drive through our area without spending money at the local businesses.
Turn some of those car trips into cycle touring ppl and all of a sudden you have stops at local coffee shops, restaurants, and B&B instead.
Turn some of those car trips into cycle touring ppl and all of a sudden you have stops at local coffee shops, restaurants, and B&B instead.
But @mbonsma.bsky.social had the idea that just like the Bruce Trail Conservancy raises money to acquire land and then section off the parts that they want to add to the trail network, so could a different organization do that for a rural cycling network.
Think of the tourism opportunities.
Think of the tourism opportunities.
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 PM
But @mbonsma.bsky.social had the idea that just like the Bruce Trail Conservancy raises money to acquire land and then section off the parts that they want to add to the trail network, so could a different organization do that for a rural cycling network.
Think of the tourism opportunities.
Think of the tourism opportunities.
The absence of a trail-based cycle tourism network in Grey-Bruce also got brought up. We still have lots of overgrown rail lines that could be the start of that by connecting it in with existing town community walking trails.
Some sections are lots, they've been blended with farm fields...
Some sections are lots, they've been blended with farm fields...
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 PM
The absence of a trail-based cycle tourism network in Grey-Bruce also got brought up. We still have lots of overgrown rail lines that could be the start of that by connecting it in with existing town community walking trails.
Some sections are lots, they've been blended with farm fields...
Some sections are lots, they've been blended with farm fields...
I think the rural challenge is changing the "owning a car is a necessary part of adulthood" assumption so ppl can even *start* to consider cycling as a viable option for day-to-day errands and in-town commuting.
I should go on the hunt for a parent(s) who'd be willing to start a bike bus...
I should go on the hunt for a parent(s) who'd be willing to start a bike bus...
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 PM
I think the rural challenge is changing the "owning a car is a necessary part of adulthood" assumption so ppl can even *start* to consider cycling as a viable option for day-to-day errands and in-town commuting.
I should go on the hunt for a parent(s) who'd be willing to start a bike bus...
I should go on the hunt for a parent(s) who'd be willing to start a bike bus...
Layer into that truck culture. The ego boost, the ability to intimidate or feel like you're safer, the ticket it gets you into social circles. Enough people want these things that the thought of cycling for errands is actively considered childish, immature, or effeminate.
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Layer into that truck culture. The ego boost, the ability to intimidate or feel like you're safer, the ticket it gets you into social circles. Enough people want these things that the thought of cycling for errands is actively considered childish, immature, or effeminate.
Biking for function is perceived as something that only certain groups of people do. "Oh they must have lost their driver's license (DUI)", "They must be too poor to own a car" etc. It's not 100% that... But to be an "adult" means owning a vehicle. Teenagers are taught it's a right of passage.
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Biking for function is perceived as something that only certain groups of people do. "Oh they must have lost their driver's license (DUI)", "They must be too poor to own a car" etc. It's not 100% that... But to be an "adult" means owning a vehicle. Teenagers are taught it's a right of passage.
One audience Q mentioned the frequent divide b/t ppl cycling for function vs. recreation + how we should remember that we're all on the same team.
Where I live, people rarely bike for function, it's almost all for recreation. There's a sort of hm you must not have a choice vibe for the former.
Where I live, people rarely bike for function, it's almost all for recreation. There's a sort of hm you must not have a choice vibe for the former.
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 PM
One audience Q mentioned the frequent divide b/t ppl cycling for function vs. recreation + how we should remember that we're all on the same team.
Where I live, people rarely bike for function, it's almost all for recreation. There's a sort of hm you must not have a choice vibe for the former.
Where I live, people rarely bike for function, it's almost all for recreation. There's a sort of hm you must not have a choice vibe for the former.
It was also really nice to meet/chat with Sarah & Doug, along w/ other cycling ppl that up until now I've only interacted with on here 👋🏼 @mdruker.app @shawnmicallef.bsky.social
If you saw me and didn't say hi, come chat next time - especially if you're a rural cyclist like me!
If you saw me and didn't say hi, come chat next time - especially if you're a rural cyclist like me!
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 PM
It was also really nice to meet/chat with Sarah & Doug, along w/ other cycling ppl that up until now I've only interacted with on here 👋🏼 @mdruker.app @shawnmicallef.bsky.social
If you saw me and didn't say hi, come chat next time - especially if you're a rural cyclist like me!
If you saw me and didn't say hi, come chat next time - especially if you're a rural cyclist like me!
Being in a room full of people who boo and cheer for the same things as me was so refreshing at last night's @thewaroncars.bsky.social book tour event hosted by @cycletoronto.bsky.social
Advocating for cycling in rural Ontario, I often feel like an island of one. Thanks for the morale boost!
Advocating for cycling in rural Ontario, I often feel like an island of one. Thanks for the morale boost!
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Being in a room full of people who boo and cheer for the same things as me was so refreshing at last night's @thewaroncars.bsky.social book tour event hosted by @cycletoronto.bsky.social
Advocating for cycling in rural Ontario, I often feel like an island of one. Thanks for the morale boost!
Advocating for cycling in rural Ontario, I often feel like an island of one. Thanks for the morale boost!
Every time I visit Toronto I get to enjoy one of my favourite things about getting around on transit: The down time where I don't have to pay attention to where I'm going.
I hate driving places b/c that time is stolen away while I stare at a strip of pavement.
I hate driving places b/c that time is stolen away while I stare at a strip of pavement.
February 6, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Every time I visit Toronto I get to enjoy one of my favourite things about getting around on transit: The down time where I don't have to pay attention to where I'm going.
I hate driving places b/c that time is stolen away while I stare at a strip of pavement.
I hate driving places b/c that time is stolen away while I stare at a strip of pavement.
Winter cycling *can* be rough but that's usually on the same days that it's bad for drivers too.
The rest of the time I'm out here, dressed like I'm about to go snowboarding, enjoying the fresh air (and sometimes sunshine). I'd rather be doing this than brushing snow off a car.
The rest of the time I'm out here, dressed like I'm about to go snowboarding, enjoying the fresh air (and sometimes sunshine). I'd rather be doing this than brushing snow off a car.
February 6, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Winter cycling *can* be rough but that's usually on the same days that it's bad for drivers too.
The rest of the time I'm out here, dressed like I'm about to go snowboarding, enjoying the fresh air (and sometimes sunshine). I'd rather be doing this than brushing snow off a car.
The rest of the time I'm out here, dressed like I'm about to go snowboarding, enjoying the fresh air (and sometimes sunshine). I'd rather be doing this than brushing snow off a car.
Reposted by Alina Rehkopf
City of Toronto Excited To Offer Mountain Biking Lanes To Cyclists This Winter.
February 5, 2026 at 9:08 PM
City of Toronto Excited To Offer Mountain Biking Lanes To Cyclists This Winter.
Reposted by Alina Rehkopf
Hello from the Harbord bike lanes this morning. Anyone from U of T, lower annex, to Dufferin Grove getting delivery have humans negotiating this. As @brooklynspoke.bsky.social said, some behaviour is annoying but they aren’t the enemy & we should push back on the villainizing.
February 6, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Hello from the Harbord bike lanes this morning. Anyone from U of T, lower annex, to Dufferin Grove getting delivery have humans negotiating this. As @brooklynspoke.bsky.social said, some behaviour is annoying but they aren’t the enemy & we should push back on the villainizing.