Bartek Komorowski
@bicyclebartek.bsky.social
I’m here to talk shop about bike lanes, street design, and urban mobility in Montreal and beyond.
Pinned
Hello friends, it’s been a while. I’ve been hard at work with my team, helping out with different street redesigns around town and creating guidelines for us and our partners in Montreal’s 19 boroughs. See what we have come up with so far here: montreal-amenagement-rues.powerappsportals.com
The east of the avenue Christophe-Christophe reconstruction between Jean-Talon and Jarry is complete. It features wide, raised cycle tracks and advanced stormwater management features that will make the street more “spongy”.
August 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The east of the avenue Christophe-Christophe reconstruction between Jean-Talon and Jarry is complete. It features wide, raised cycle tracks and advanced stormwater management features that will make the street more “spongy”.
Montreal’s BIXI #bikeshare system is introducing cargo trailers! bixi.com/en/trailer?u...
July 21, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Montreal’s BIXI #bikeshare system is introducing cargo trailers! bixi.com/en/trailer?u...
Reposted by Bartek Komorowski
“Vehicles with higher, more vertical front ends pose greater risk to pedestrians. Vehicles with especially tall front ends are most dangerous to pedestrians, but a blunt profile makes medium-height vehicles deadly too.”
Deadly by design. And they know it.
www.iihs.org/news/detail/...
Deadly by design. And they know it.
www.iihs.org/news/detail/...
May 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“Vehicles with higher, more vertical front ends pose greater risk to pedestrians. Vehicles with especially tall front ends are most dangerous to pedestrians, but a blunt profile makes medium-height vehicles deadly too.”
Deadly by design. And they know it.
www.iihs.org/news/detail/...
Deadly by design. And they know it.
www.iihs.org/news/detail/...
Newly released data shows that the bicycle mode share of people residing in the central part of the Montreal region doubled from 4% in 2018 to 8% 2023 (all trips purposes, 24h on weekdays).
March 21, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Newly released data shows that the bicycle mode share of people residing in the central part of the Montreal region doubled from 4% in 2018 to 8% 2023 (all trips purposes, 24h on weekdays).
Montreal has website/app (infoneige.ca/index-en.php) that allows residents to monitor progress of snow removal ops in real time.
The purpose is to warn residents to remove parked cars before the operation starts.
It’s best to remove parked bikes as well so that don’t get dinged by the machines.
The purpose is to warn residents to remove parked cars before the operation starts.
It’s best to remove parked bikes as well so that don’t get dinged by the machines.
February 20, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Montreal has website/app (infoneige.ca/index-en.php) that allows residents to monitor progress of snow removal ops in real time.
The purpose is to warn residents to remove parked cars before the operation starts.
It’s best to remove parked bikes as well so that don’t get dinged by the machines.
The purpose is to warn residents to remove parked cars before the operation starts.
It’s best to remove parked bikes as well so that don’t get dinged by the machines.
After a record 74 cm snow dump, #wintercycling is on hold for a few days. Sidewalks, bike lanes, and local streets are buried in so much snow that plowing is ineffective or simply impossible.
While snow removal operations progress slowly, we’ve been getting around on x-country skis instead.
While snow removal operations progress slowly, we’ve been getting around on x-country skis instead.
February 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
After a record 74 cm snow dump, #wintercycling is on hold for a few days. Sidewalks, bike lanes, and local streets are buried in so much snow that plowing is ineffective or simply impossible.
While snow removal operations progress slowly, we’ve been getting around on x-country skis instead.
While snow removal operations progress slowly, we’ve been getting around on x-country skis instead.
Traffic signs in Quebec are only loosely based on the MUTCD. Pictograms are preferred over to text to allow speakers of any language to understand.
On this windy Monday, a colleague reminded me of traffic sign D-61-1 "Squall", Quebec's finest!
Oddly, I am reminded of a certain other blowhard...
On this windy Monday, a colleague reminded me of traffic sign D-61-1 "Squall", Quebec's finest!
Oddly, I am reminded of a certain other blowhard...
January 27, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Traffic signs in Quebec are only loosely based on the MUTCD. Pictograms are preferred over to text to allow speakers of any language to understand.
On this windy Monday, a colleague reminded me of traffic sign D-61-1 "Squall", Quebec's finest!
Oddly, I am reminded of a certain other blowhard...
On this windy Monday, a colleague reminded me of traffic sign D-61-1 "Squall", Quebec's finest!
Oddly, I am reminded of a certain other blowhard...
Reposted by Bartek Komorowski
mainstream narrative.
January 7, 2025 at 1:21 PM
mainstream narrative.
Reposted by Bartek Komorowski
"The bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created...a triangle-framed bike can easily carry 10x its own weight—capacity no automobile, airplane or bridge can match.”
—Bill Strickland.
—Bill Strickland.
December 29, 2024 at 6:01 PM
"The bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created...a triangle-framed bike can easily carry 10x its own weight—capacity no automobile, airplane or bridge can match.”
—Bill Strickland.
—Bill Strickland.
A shared street is essentially a pedestrian street that cars are allowed to use. The street must be designed to make motorists feel like they are invading the pedestrian realm. Any visual distinction between roadway and sidewalk must be avoided.
Video: de la Gauchetière Est in Montreal.
Video: de la Gauchetière Est in Montreal.
December 17, 2024 at 9:52 PM
A shared street is essentially a pedestrian street that cars are allowed to use. The street must be designed to make motorists feel like they are invading the pedestrian realm. Any visual distinction between roadway and sidewalk must be avoided.
Video: de la Gauchetière Est in Montreal.
Video: de la Gauchetière Est in Montreal.
Reposted by Bartek Komorowski
Taking the whole lane ✔️
Distracted (singing) ✔️
No helmets ✔️
No lights ✔️
No reflective vests ✔️
Riding in a pack ✔️
The textbook radical anti-car cyclists our culture despises
Distracted (singing) ✔️
No helmets ✔️
No lights ✔️
No reflective vests ✔️
Riding in a pack ✔️
The textbook radical anti-car cyclists our culture despises
October 9, 2024 at 12:43 PM
Taking the whole lane ✔️
Distracted (singing) ✔️
No helmets ✔️
No lights ✔️
No reflective vests ✔️
Riding in a pack ✔️
The textbook radical anti-car cyclists our culture despises
Distracted (singing) ✔️
No helmets ✔️
No lights ✔️
No reflective vests ✔️
Riding in a pack ✔️
The textbook radical anti-car cyclists our culture despises
English version of the document here: designmontreal.com/s3fs-public/...
Montreal's summertime street pedestrianizations and other tactical street retrofits have been successful in part due to careful layout and design.
The City's Design Bureau has drawn on these experiences to compile this great guide for temporary on-street spaces.
designmontreal.com/s3fs-public/...
The City's Design Bureau has drawn on these experiences to compile this great guide for temporary on-street spaces.
designmontreal.com/s3fs-public/...
December 17, 2024 at 5:41 AM
English version of the document here: designmontreal.com/s3fs-public/...
Montreal's summertime street pedestrianizations and other tactical street retrofits have been successful in part due to careful layout and design.
The City's Design Bureau has drawn on these experiences to compile this great guide for temporary on-street spaces.
designmontreal.com/s3fs-public/...
The City's Design Bureau has drawn on these experiences to compile this great guide for temporary on-street spaces.
designmontreal.com/s3fs-public/...
December 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Montreal's summertime street pedestrianizations and other tactical street retrofits have been successful in part due to careful layout and design.
The City's Design Bureau has drawn on these experiences to compile this great guide for temporary on-street spaces.
designmontreal.com/s3fs-public/...
The City's Design Bureau has drawn on these experiences to compile this great guide for temporary on-street spaces.
designmontreal.com/s3fs-public/...
This excellent @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social video about Laval, Montreal’s neighbour to the north, shows how a car-oriented suburb can rapidly expand and improve cycling infrastructure to create a workable network. Laval might be a more salient example for many North American communities than Montreal.
Does Biking in the Suburbs Have to Suck?
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
December 15, 2024 at 7:37 AM
This excellent @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social video about Laval, Montreal’s neighbour to the north, shows how a car-oriented suburb can rapidly expand and improve cycling infrastructure to create a workable network. Laval might be a more salient example for many North American communities than Montreal.
Last winter, Montreal's BIXI #bikeshare system stayed open for the first time.
Though only 1 in 8 stations remained open from mid-November to April, 93,000 people used the system to make about 1-million trips.
65% of them were #wintercycling for the first time.
81% said they'll do it again.
Though only 1 in 8 stations remained open from mid-November to April, 93,000 people used the system to make about 1-million trips.
65% of them were #wintercycling for the first time.
81% said they'll do it again.
Le facteur humain | Difficile à apprivoiser, le vélo d’hiver ?
« J’adore faire du vélo l’été, mais l’hiver, j’ai peur de glisser, d’abîmer mon vélo, d’avoir froid… Auriez-vous des conseils pour bien débuter ? », demande Laurence.
www.lapresse.ca
December 13, 2024 at 6:08 PM
Last winter, Montreal's BIXI #bikeshare system stayed open for the first time.
Though only 1 in 8 stations remained open from mid-November to April, 93,000 people used the system to make about 1-million trips.
65% of them were #wintercycling for the first time.
81% said they'll do it again.
Though only 1 in 8 stations remained open from mid-November to April, 93,000 people used the system to make about 1-million trips.
65% of them were #wintercycling for the first time.
81% said they'll do it again.
Reposted by Bartek Komorowski
Good news. Because I have a picture of a street with no cars in it, we don’t need streets for cars.
I know that because of all the helpful people who have told me over the years that because they have a picture of a bike-lane with no bikes in it, we don’t need bike-lanes.
Sounds reasonable, right?
I know that because of all the helpful people who have told me over the years that because they have a picture of a bike-lane with no bikes in it, we don’t need bike-lanes.
Sounds reasonable, right?
December 12, 2024 at 5:16 AM
Good news. Because I have a picture of a street with no cars in it, we don’t need streets for cars.
I know that because of all the helpful people who have told me over the years that because they have a picture of a bike-lane with no bikes in it, we don’t need bike-lanes.
Sounds reasonable, right?
I know that because of all the helpful people who have told me over the years that because they have a picture of a bike-lane with no bikes in it, we don’t need bike-lanes.
Sounds reasonable, right?
Yesterday I biked:
- from home in Villeray to the office in Old Montreal (7.1 km)
- from the office to a work party in the Olympic Park (8.6 km)
- from the Olympic Park back home (8.1 km)
100% of my journey was on separated, winter-maintained infrastructure.
We have come a long way, my friends.
- from home in Villeray to the office in Old Montreal (7.1 km)
- from the office to a work party in the Olympic Park (8.6 km)
- from the Olympic Park back home (8.1 km)
100% of my journey was on separated, winter-maintained infrastructure.
We have come a long way, my friends.
December 12, 2024 at 6:06 PM
Yesterday I biked:
- from home in Villeray to the office in Old Montreal (7.1 km)
- from the office to a work party in the Olympic Park (8.6 km)
- from the Olympic Park back home (8.1 km)
100% of my journey was on separated, winter-maintained infrastructure.
We have come a long way, my friends.
- from home in Villeray to the office in Old Montreal (7.1 km)
- from the office to a work party in the Olympic Park (8.6 km)
- from the Olympic Park back home (8.1 km)
100% of my journey was on separated, winter-maintained infrastructure.
We have come a long way, my friends.
Build it and they will come.
Plow it and they will come in the winter.
Plow it and they will come in the winter.
Winter rush hour in Montreal / L’heure de pointe hivernale à Montréal
December 5, 2024 at 5:33 PM
Build it and they will come.
Plow it and they will come in the winter.
Plow it and they will come in the winter.
First significant snowfall in Montreal. Maintenance operations on the cycling network completed overnight. Smooth sailing for people heading to work and school on their bikes this morning. #véloMTL
December 5, 2024 at 4:34 PM
First significant snowfall in Montreal. Maintenance operations on the cycling network completed overnight. Smooth sailing for people heading to work and school on their bikes this morning. #véloMTL
Reposted by Bartek Komorowski
Les pistes cyclables n'occupent que 1% de la voie publique à Montréal, contre 75% pour l'automobile. Elles ne reçoivent que 7% du financement routier à Montréal. Il y a 1,1 million de cyclistes à Montréal et... 983 000 automobilistes.
Mon texte dans @lactualite.com : lactualite.com/societe/pist...
Mon texte dans @lactualite.com : lactualite.com/societe/pist...
Pistes cyclables : remettons les pendules à l’heure
Les voies cyclables réduisent la congestion, diminuent les dépenses publiques et stimulent le commerce local.
lactualite.com
November 29, 2024 at 1:21 PM
Les pistes cyclables n'occupent que 1% de la voie publique à Montréal, contre 75% pour l'automobile. Elles ne reçoivent que 7% du financement routier à Montréal. Il y a 1,1 million de cyclistes à Montréal et... 983 000 automobilistes.
Mon texte dans @lactualite.com : lactualite.com/societe/pist...
Mon texte dans @lactualite.com : lactualite.com/societe/pist...
“Motonormativity” or “car brain” - cultural inability to think objectively and dispassionately about how we use cars. www.theverge.com/2023/1/31/23...
Cars are rewiring our brains to ignore all the bad stuff about driving
We tend to turn a blind eye to the social ills of driving.
www.theverge.com
November 27, 2024 at 8:07 PM
“Motonormativity” or “car brain” - cultural inability to think objectively and dispassionately about how we use cars. www.theverge.com/2023/1/31/23...
Reposted by Bartek Komorowski
If you want fast response of emergency services - build wide bike lanes…
November 22, 2024 at 8:40 PM
If you want fast response of emergency services - build wide bike lanes…
Reposted by Bartek Komorowski
BREAKING: “Removing bike -lanes from busy city streets will increase traffic congestion, according to a government document leaked amid a furious row over urban infrastructure.
The findings undercut claims that the dedicated routes contribute to urban gridlock.” www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
The findings undercut claims that the dedicated routes contribute to urban gridlock.” www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
Removing Toronto bike lanes will make traffic worse, official document shows
In preparation for plan, Ontario has indemnified itself from liability if cyclists are killed on streets that once had bike lanes
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2024 at 10:10 PM
BREAKING: “Removing bike -lanes from busy city streets will increase traffic congestion, according to a government document leaked amid a furious row over urban infrastructure.
The findings undercut claims that the dedicated routes contribute to urban gridlock.” www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
The findings undercut claims that the dedicated routes contribute to urban gridlock.” www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
Reposted by Bartek Komorowski
The Toronto “bikelash” is negligible in Toronto itself, where city council voted 21-4 in favor of keeping its bike lanes.
It’s due to angry suburbanites who want to overrule city residents’ transportation decisions.
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
It’s due to angry suburbanites who want to overrule city residents’ transportation decisions.
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
Bikes v cars: backlash after Ontario premier threatens to tear up cycling lanes in Toronto
Doug Ford plans to rip out bike lanes on busy streets, citing ‘insanity’ of gridlock he says they contribute to
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2024 at 2:59 PM
The Toronto “bikelash” is negligible in Toronto itself, where city council voted 21-4 in favor of keeping its bike lanes.
It’s due to angry suburbanites who want to overrule city residents’ transportation decisions.
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
It’s due to angry suburbanites who want to overrule city residents’ transportation decisions.
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...