Braden MacDonald
@bradenmacdonald.com
Software developer in Vancouver. 🇨🇦🏳️🌈 CTO @ OpenCraft. Into urbanism and a bit of politics, tech, & science. Latest project is cycling map at www.transitopia.org/cycling
Pinned
Braden MacDonald
@bradenmacdonald.com
· Aug 5
🚴The Transitopia Cycling Map now gets updated automatically from the latest OpenStreetMap data every day 😎 You can see the brand new Granville Connector, St. George Rainway, and more. www.transitopia.org/cycling?z=14...
One of the most annoying laws of all time is the EU's cookie consent law, which _could_ have mandated that people set a preference in their browser once and then all websites must respect it, but instead gave birth to endless popups that are all slightly different in how they work.
August 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
One of the most annoying laws of all time is the EU's cookie consent law, which _could_ have mandated that people set a preference in their browser once and then all websites must respect it, but instead gave birth to endless popups that are all slightly different in how they work.
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
Fascists are taking over the US in real time and, unless I missed it, there hasn't been a single popular protest song about it.
August 21, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Fascists are taking over the US in real time and, unless I missed it, there hasn't been a single popular protest song about it.
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
A loser senator from Maine wrote to Canadian representatives asking them to commit treason, break up our country and join the United States of Trump.
I had to school him in basic facts about Canadian values and our readiness to defend our nation from fascists.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bpt...
I had to school him in basic facts about Canadian values and our readiness to defend our nation from fascists.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bpt...
CHARLIE ANGUS: MESSAGE TO THE LOSER SENATOR FROM MAINE
YouTube video by Charlie Angus
www.youtube.com
August 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
A loser senator from Maine wrote to Canadian representatives asking them to commit treason, break up our country and join the United States of Trump.
I had to school him in basic facts about Canadian values and our readiness to defend our nation from fascists.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bpt...
I had to school him in basic facts about Canadian values and our readiness to defend our nation from fascists.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bpt...
You can now see bike racks (bike parking spots) on the #Vancouver #cycling map at www.transitopia.org/cycling?z=14... . It's the only app I know of that shows this info on modern vector-based map (and a clean visual design). Data is from OpenStreetMap and covers all of BC, but is incomplete.
August 12, 2025 at 3:34 PM
You can now see bike racks (bike parking spots) on the #Vancouver #cycling map at www.transitopia.org/cycling?z=14... . It's the only app I know of that shows this info on modern vector-based map (and a clean visual design). Data is from OpenStreetMap and covers all of BC, but is incomplete.
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
#SkyTrain to #UBC must be Metro Vancouver's next public transit priority.
Like a regional Town Centre, UBC is an economic and transit ridership powerhouse.
Delaying it only adds to the costs of an inevitable project. #TransLink #bcpoli #vanpoli #vanre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/ub...
Like a regional Town Centre, UBC is an economic and transit ridership powerhouse.
Delaying it only adds to the costs of an inevitable project. #TransLink #bcpoli #vanpoli #vanre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/ub...
Opinion: UBC SkyTrain must be Metro Vancouver's next transit priority | Urbanized
With a long-term lens of its immense benefits, Metro Vancouver's next public transit priority must be the UBC SkyTrain extension.
dailyhive.com
August 8, 2025 at 6:21 PM
#SkyTrain to #UBC must be Metro Vancouver's next public transit priority.
Like a regional Town Centre, UBC is an economic and transit ridership powerhouse.
Delaying it only adds to the costs of an inevitable project. #TransLink #bcpoli #vanpoli #vanre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/ub...
Like a regional Town Centre, UBC is an economic and transit ridership powerhouse.
Delaying it only adds to the costs of an inevitable project. #TransLink #bcpoli #vanpoli #vanre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/ub...
Currently working on building a map of all of Vancouver's bike racks. Coming soon! github.com/transitopia/...
August 8, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Currently working on building a map of all of Vancouver's bike racks. Coming soon! github.com/transitopia/...
🚴The Transitopia Cycling Map now gets updated automatically from the latest OpenStreetMap data every day 😎 You can see the brand new Granville Connector, St. George Rainway, and more. www.transitopia.org/cycling?z=14...
August 5, 2025 at 2:48 AM
🚴The Transitopia Cycling Map now gets updated automatically from the latest OpenStreetMap data every day 😎 You can see the brand new Granville Connector, St. George Rainway, and more. www.transitopia.org/cycling?z=14...
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
when i become king of vancouver, my first act will be to build a connector between the canada line and expo line at vancouver city centre/granville
my second act will be free ice cream fridays
then i’ll step down, a world-class city complete
my second act will be free ice cream fridays
then i’ll step down, a world-class city complete
May 15, 2025 at 1:36 PM
when i become king of vancouver, my first act will be to build a connector between the canada line and expo line at vancouver city centre/granville
my second act will be free ice cream fridays
then i’ll step down, a world-class city complete
my second act will be free ice cream fridays
then i’ll step down, a world-class city complete
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
CBC video on the movement in British Columbia to allow European-style elevators (in size and technical standard), citing my work on cost and availability: youtu.be/sMYPCv6ZVJs?...
Saanich calls for building code changes in B.C. to allow smaller, cheaper elevators
YouTube video by CBC British Columbia
youtu.be
June 15, 2025 at 7:42 PM
CBC video on the movement in British Columbia to allow European-style elevators (in size and technical standard), citing my work on cost and availability: youtu.be/sMYPCv6ZVJs?...
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
Fascinating, infuriating article.
Fossil fuel-generated electricity in AB can't compete with hydro from BC so the generators lobby the govt to do protectionism.
I think we'll see more and more oil propped up by friendly govts, at the consumer's expense.
www.vancouverisawesome.com/highlights/f...
Fossil fuel-generated electricity in AB can't compete with hydro from BC so the generators lobby the govt to do protectionism.
I think we'll see more and more oil propped up by friendly govts, at the consumer's expense.
www.vancouverisawesome.com/highlights/f...
Failed B.C.-Alberta transmission line holds lessons for a national grid
The cross-border intertie has never met capacity, offering lessons on what stands in the way of the Prime Minister Mark Carney's plan for an east-to-west grid
www.vancouverisawesome.com
May 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Fascinating, infuriating article.
Fossil fuel-generated electricity in AB can't compete with hydro from BC so the generators lobby the govt to do protectionism.
I think we'll see more and more oil propped up by friendly govts, at the consumer's expense.
www.vancouverisawesome.com/highlights/f...
Fossil fuel-generated electricity in AB can't compete with hydro from BC so the generators lobby the govt to do protectionism.
I think we'll see more and more oil propped up by friendly govts, at the consumer's expense.
www.vancouverisawesome.com/highlights/f...
I've updated the cycling map at www.transitopia.org/cycling with the latest OpenStreetMap data. Now for example it shows the Seawall detour near Science World. My blog post has a tool to view the before/after versions: www.bradenmacdonald.com/articles/upd...
May 19, 2025 at 11:11 PM
I've updated the cycling map at www.transitopia.org/cycling with the latest OpenStreetMap data. Now for example it shows the Seawall detour near Science World. My blog post has a tool to view the before/after versions: www.bradenmacdonald.com/articles/upd...
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
The median age of all homebuyers in America today is 56, up from 31 in 1981 and 40 in 2010.
May 19, 2025 at 1:27 AM
The median age of all homebuyers in America today is 56, up from 31 in 1981 and 40 in 2010.
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
Super helpful explainer here from @blakeshaffer.bsky.social on why we need an east-west power grid, how it would work, and how to overcome the historic barriers to doing so:
macleans.ca/economy/forg...
macleans.ca/economy/forg...
Forget America. Build an East-West Power Grid. - Macleans.ca
For decades, we've prioritized electrical trade with the United States. It's time to reduce our dependence on them.
macleans.ca
May 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Super helpful explainer here from @blakeshaffer.bsky.social on why we need an east-west power grid, how it would work, and how to overcome the historic barriers to doing so:
macleans.ca/economy/forg...
macleans.ca/economy/forg...
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
BREAKING... 3 landmark towers up to 1,033 ft proposed for downtown Vancouver.
Tallest is 100% hotel with 900+ hotel rooms, a conference centre, and a rooftop public observation deck.
Canada's tallest building if it existed today. #vanpoli #vanre #vancre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/hu...
Tallest is 100% hotel with 900+ hotel rooms, a conference centre, and a rooftop public observation deck.
Canada's tallest building if it existed today. #vanpoli #vanre #vancre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/hu...
Vancouver's skyline soars with proposal for towers up to 1,033 ft | Urbanized
Holborn Group is proposing to redevelop the Hudson's Bay parkade block in downtown Vancouver with record-breaking tower heights.
dailyhive.com
May 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
BREAKING... 3 landmark towers up to 1,033 ft proposed for downtown Vancouver.
Tallest is 100% hotel with 900+ hotel rooms, a conference centre, and a rooftop public observation deck.
Canada's tallest building if it existed today. #vanpoli #vanre #vancre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/hu...
Tallest is 100% hotel with 900+ hotel rooms, a conference centre, and a rooftop public observation deck.
Canada's tallest building if it existed today. #vanpoli #vanre #vancre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/hu...
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
What a crock of first-past-the-post nonsense. A fantastic representative who basically everyone likes got edged out by the unknown Conservative candidate presumably because a lot of people voted for the unknown Liberal candidate assuming that was the strategic choice
April 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
What a crock of first-past-the-post nonsense. A fantastic representative who basically everyone likes got edged out by the unknown Conservative candidate presumably because a lot of people voted for the unknown Liberal candidate assuming that was the strategic choice
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
The @ndp.ca hold the balance of power.
@mark-carney.bsky.social says he's open to electoral reform.
And a citizens' assembly on electoral reform has been official @liberalca.bsky.social policy since their 2023 convention.
What are we waiting for? Let’s end first-past-the-post now!
#Election2025
@mark-carney.bsky.social says he's open to electoral reform.
And a citizens' assembly on electoral reform has been official @liberalca.bsky.social policy since their 2023 convention.
What are we waiting for? Let’s end first-past-the-post now!
#Election2025
April 29, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The @ndp.ca hold the balance of power.
@mark-carney.bsky.social says he's open to electoral reform.
And a citizens' assembly on electoral reform has been official @liberalca.bsky.social policy since their 2023 convention.
What are we waiting for? Let’s end first-past-the-post now!
#Election2025
@mark-carney.bsky.social says he's open to electoral reform.
And a citizens' assembly on electoral reform has been official @liberalca.bsky.social policy since their 2023 convention.
What are we waiting for? Let’s end first-past-the-post now!
#Election2025
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
A journalist goes deep undercover in UK far-right groups and discovers ... a bunch of lonely outcasts with crappy jobs who desperately crave a sense of community & belonging.
A year of hate: what I learned when I went undercover with the far right
The long read: Working for Hope Not Hate, I infiltrated an extremist organisation, befriended its members and got to work investigating their political connections
www.theguardian.com
April 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
A journalist goes deep undercover in UK far-right groups and discovers ... a bunch of lonely outcasts with crappy jobs who desperately crave a sense of community & belonging.
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
@liberalca.bsky.social how the hell is Hedy Fry running again. She is 83, retire for gods sake. I have no interest in voting for someone who will not be around to be affected by her decisions as an MP. She needs to go. She has been an MP 30+ yrs. We need new candidates with new ideas
March 23, 2025 at 10:48 PM
@liberalca.bsky.social how the hell is Hedy Fry running again. She is 83, retire for gods sake. I have no interest in voting for someone who will not be around to be affected by her decisions as an MP. She needs to go. She has been an MP 30+ yrs. We need new candidates with new ideas
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
(1/3) It needs repeating: in 1994, Ukraine was persuaded to give up its nuclear weapons to Russia in return for the US, the UK, and Russia guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
March 4, 2025 at 5:57 PM
(1/3) It needs repeating: in 1994, Ukraine was persuaded to give up its nuclear weapons to Russia in return for the US, the UK, and Russia guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
The high-speed rail announcement is incredibly important. This needs to happen and it needs to be very well planned. www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Trudeau selects consortium to co-develop high-speed-rail line between Quebec City and Toronto
Government did not provide estimated cost for the project, which will include stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval and Trois-Rivières
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 19, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The high-speed rail announcement is incredibly important. This needs to happen and it needs to be very well planned. www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
I have been so excited since I found out this would be announced today! RIP any ability for me to concentrate: www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2...
Apple’s new sci-fi series “Murderbot” to make global debut May 16, 2025
Today, Apple TV+ unveiled a first look at “Murderbot,” created by Chris and Paul Weitz and starring Alexander Skarsgård
www.apple.com
February 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I have been so excited since I found out this would be announced today! RIP any ability for me to concentrate: www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2...
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
Government of Canada has announced Alto, a $40 billion high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City, reaching up to 300 km/hr.
Travel times would be just 3 hours between Toronto and Montreal.
Canada's first high-speed rail.
dailyhive.com/vancouver/al...
Travel times would be just 3 hours between Toronto and Montreal.
Canada's first high-speed rail.
dailyhive.com/vancouver/al...
Feds announce high-speed train between Toronto and Quebec City | Urbanized
After years of talk about a high-speed train linking Toronto and Quebec, the federal government has officially announced the project.
dailyhive.com
February 19, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Government of Canada has announced Alto, a $40 billion high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City, reaching up to 300 km/hr.
Travel times would be just 3 hours between Toronto and Montreal.
Canada's first high-speed rail.
dailyhive.com/vancouver/al...
Travel times would be just 3 hours between Toronto and Montreal.
Canada's first high-speed rail.
dailyhive.com/vancouver/al...
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
I hope America is as lucky as the delta jet - everyone survives but the right wing explodes
February 18, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I hope America is as lucky as the delta jet - everyone survives but the right wing explodes
Finally got to use the new Capstan Station in Richmond today, and it’s so nice! Enjoyed a fresh-squeezed orange juice from the vending machine while waiting for my train.
February 17, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Finally got to use the new Capstan Station in Richmond today, and it’s so nice! Enjoyed a fresh-squeezed orange juice from the vending machine while waiting for my train.
Reposted by Braden MacDonald
This article by Charlie Angus is the clearest eyed I've read about the present situation in the US & Canada. Too many people remain in denial. I think that is why someone minimize Trump's threats to Canada as a mere distraction. We must fight the hope that it all goes away & act. It's too important.
Here's my latest reflection on a lesson I learned from a woman who was in the second tower on 9/11.
When the world is turned upside down taking action is the only way to survive.
Our democracy is under threat but politicians are still living in 2024.
charlieangus.substack.com/p/no-return-...
When the world is turned upside down taking action is the only way to survive.
Our democracy is under threat but politicians are still living in 2024.
charlieangus.substack.com/p/no-return-...
NO RETURN TO NORMAL
A Message To My Fellow Parliamentarians
charlieangus.substack.com
February 16, 2025 at 5:50 PM
This article by Charlie Angus is the clearest eyed I've read about the present situation in the US & Canada. Too many people remain in denial. I think that is why someone minimize Trump's threats to Canada as a mere distraction. We must fight the hope that it all goes away & act. It's too important.