Cassie Smith (she/her)
@cassiesmith.bsky.social
Feminist geographer and cargo bike mom.
Volunteer: Bike Ottawa VP, For Our Kids, Kidical Mass championing safe, sustainable, fun, and equitable spaces especially for kids.
Work: Transportation strategy and solutions with EnviroCentre. Views my own.
Volunteer: Bike Ottawa VP, For Our Kids, Kidical Mass championing safe, sustainable, fun, and equitable spaces especially for kids.
Work: Transportation strategy and solutions with EnviroCentre. Views my own.
Pinned
What a week BlueSky! Welcome new followers! 👋🏻 I mostly post about kids, bikes, & kid-carrying bikes along with climate action and local happenings in Ottawa.
This all ramped up 3.5 years ago, when (in the span of ONE month) I:
- had a (2nd) baby
- got a cargo bike
- was accepted into grad school
This all ramped up 3.5 years ago, when (in the span of ONE month) I:
- had a (2nd) baby
- got a cargo bike
- was accepted into grad school
Stunningly beautiful day here in Ottawa. ☀️❄️☃️🌲
Merry Christmas everyone and thanks to the amazing volunteers who maintain outdoor rinks and cross country ski trails (for 4's first ever outing we just went to the park but will be at Kichi Sibi before we know it!
Merry Christmas everyone and thanks to the amazing volunteers who maintain outdoor rinks and cross country ski trails (for 4's first ever outing we just went to the park but will be at Kichi Sibi before we know it!
December 25, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Stunningly beautiful day here in Ottawa. ☀️❄️☃️🌲
Merry Christmas everyone and thanks to the amazing volunteers who maintain outdoor rinks and cross country ski trails (for 4's first ever outing we just went to the park but will be at Kichi Sibi before we know it!
Merry Christmas everyone and thanks to the amazing volunteers who maintain outdoor rinks and cross country ski trails (for 4's first ever outing we just went to the park but will be at Kichi Sibi before we know it!
I was so glad I saw this before being near Patagonia the other day. The youngest's snowpants are now ready for more winter fun and hopefully a Christmas XC ski 🎿! Thanks David!
December 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I was so glad I saw this before being near Patagonia the other day. The youngest's snowpants are now ready for more winter fun and hopefully a Christmas XC ski 🎿! Thanks David!
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
“Pairing free buses with paid parking says we value people in motion more than cars at rest,” writes Nicolas Rohatyn.
Opinion | The Way to Pay for Free Buses Is to End Free Parking
Free buses would be transformative not only for riders, but for the ecosystem of the city as a whole.
nyti.ms
December 24, 2025 at 12:44 PM
“Pairing free buses with paid parking says we value people in motion more than cars at rest,” writes Nicolas Rohatyn.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
my festive spirit amidst our grimly stupid reality (2025)
December 23, 2025 at 9:34 PM
my festive spirit amidst our grimly stupid reality (2025)
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
A literal policy miracle. We should be doing this in *every* city.
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
December 23, 2025 at 2:57 PM
A literal policy miracle. We should be doing this in *every* city.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
The 2025 Headline of the Year Nominees
🧵
🧵
December 22, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The 2025 Headline of the Year Nominees
🧵
🧵
8yo now associates Christmas holidays with Monopoly.
Very proud of myself for still crushing him and his sister when they joined forces mid game and had almost all of the property. Merci Marvin Jardins.
Very proud of myself for still crushing him and his sister when they joined forces mid game and had almost all of the property. Merci Marvin Jardins.
December 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
8yo now associates Christmas holidays with Monopoly.
Very proud of myself for still crushing him and his sister when they joined forces mid game and had almost all of the property. Merci Marvin Jardins.
Very proud of myself for still crushing him and his sister when they joined forces mid game and had almost all of the property. Merci Marvin Jardins.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Ride, and park, with pride! After the Florida state government banned rainbow crosswalks, one city has found a workaround: rainbow bike racks! 🚲🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.advocate.com/politics/st-...
www.advocate.com/politics/st-...
Florida city installs Pride bike racks after being forced to remove rainbow crosswalks
St. Petersburg's new bike rack publicly displays LGBTQ+ Pride while complying orders to keep crosswalks undecorated.
www.advocate.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Ride, and park, with pride! After the Florida state government banned rainbow crosswalks, one city has found a workaround: rainbow bike racks! 🚲🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
www.advocate.com/politics/st-...
www.advocate.com/politics/st-...
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Speaking of empties, it's dismaying to read about the hash that's being made of bottle recycling by the Ford government. Glad to read staunch circular economy advocate Valérie Leloup's cautions on where we're heading.
Ottawa Beer Store closures raise new questions about deposits, recycling
More empty alcohol containers are ending up in the blue bin, which isn't as good for recycling them as you might think.
ottawacitizen.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Speaking of empties, it's dismaying to read about the hash that's being made of bottle recycling by the Ford government. Glad to read staunch circular economy advocate Valérie Leloup's cautions on where we're heading.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
My friends, I don't want to rush to Mars or the moon to theoretically have the energy and materials to prop up extractive capitalism for another century or so.
December 19, 2025 at 1:43 PM
My friends, I don't want to rush to Mars or the moon to theoretically have the energy and materials to prop up extractive capitalism for another century or so.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
When in doubt for those last minute Holiday gifts, follow The Buyerarchy of Needs ✨🎄
🎨 @sarahlazarovic.bsky.social
🎨 @sarahlazarovic.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
When in doubt for those last minute Holiday gifts, follow The Buyerarchy of Needs ✨🎄
🎨 @sarahlazarovic.bsky.social
🎨 @sarahlazarovic.bsky.social
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
It’s a good message.
It would be so much better w/ Alt Text though.
It would be so much better w/ Alt Text though.
The holidays are a busy time of year, and they can come with a lot of expectations.
But here is a friendly reminder: you don’t have to jingle all the way. You can absolutely choose to jingle some of the way. And if that feels too much? You don’t even have to jingle at all if you don’t feel like it.
But here is a friendly reminder: you don’t have to jingle all the way. You can absolutely choose to jingle some of the way. And if that feels too much? You don’t even have to jingle at all if you don’t feel like it.
December 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
It’s a good message.
It would be so much better w/ Alt Text though.
It would be so much better w/ Alt Text though.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
What a difference! Our city decided to start clearing a missing connection in our winter cycle network and now I have no excuse not to ride all year.
#OttBike
#OttBike
December 18, 2025 at 3:51 PM
What a difference! Our city decided to start clearing a missing connection in our winter cycle network and now I have no excuse not to ride all year.
#OttBike
#OttBike
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Yesterday there were approximately 10,897 Toronto Bikeshare bikeshare trips
Most used station: 2700 Eglinton Ave W (128 trips)
Least used station: 14 Fuller Ave and 294 others (0 trips)
Active stations: 1000
#bikeTO
Most used station: 2700 Eglinton Ave W (128 trips)
Least used station: 14 Fuller Ave and 294 others (0 trips)
Active stations: 1000
#bikeTO
December 18, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Yesterday there were approximately 10,897 Toronto Bikeshare bikeshare trips
Most used station: 2700 Eglinton Ave W (128 trips)
Least used station: 14 Fuller Ave and 294 others (0 trips)
Active stations: 1000
#bikeTO
Most used station: 2700 Eglinton Ave W (128 trips)
Least used station: 14 Fuller Ave and 294 others (0 trips)
Active stations: 1000
#bikeTO
I was frustrated that the only cards I had for teachers were specific to Christmas.
8yo understood and solved the problem 😂
8yo understood and solved the problem 😂
December 18, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I was frustrated that the only cards I had for teachers were specific to Christmas.
8yo understood and solved the problem 😂
8yo understood and solved the problem 😂
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Some tensions/paradoxes of these times:
We need systems change, but systems change is mediated by changed individuals.
We need systems change, but systems change is mediated by changed individuals.
December 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Some tensions/paradoxes of these times:
We need systems change, but systems change is mediated by changed individuals.
We need systems change, but systems change is mediated by changed individuals.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Earlier this fall, we tested an idea we couldn’t stop thinking about: what if live music became part of the commute?
Turns out, a little joy goes a long way. What should we pilot next?
Turns out, a little joy goes a long way. What should we pilot next?
December 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Earlier this fall, we tested an idea we couldn’t stop thinking about: what if live music became part of the commute?
Turns out, a little joy goes a long way. What should we pilot next?
Turns out, a little joy goes a long way. What should we pilot next?
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Is Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance it would be happy to do without? Obviousl...
humantransit.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Skate Canada to cancel #Alberta events due to sports gender law #SkateCanada
Good on you Skate Canada 🍁
www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Good on you Skate Canada 🍁
www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Skate Canada to cancel Alberta events due to sports gender law
Skate Canada says it won’t host national and international-level events in Alberta, citing provincial law that restricts transgender athletes from participating in female-only sport divisions.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Skate Canada to cancel #Alberta events due to sports gender law #SkateCanada
Good on you Skate Canada 🍁
www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Good on you Skate Canada 🍁
www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
"Political will" is something that you -- yes YOU -- can build in your neighborhood, community, and town. It takes work, but it's work you can do and it's work you can study up on so you have an easier time doing it.
This book will help islandpress.org/books/if-you...
This book will help islandpress.org/books/if-you...
December 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
"Political will" is something that you -- yes YOU -- can build in your neighborhood, community, and town. It takes work, but it's work you can do and it's work you can study up on so you have an easier time doing it.
This book will help islandpress.org/books/if-you...
This book will help islandpress.org/books/if-you...
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
Another good reason for Mark Carney to open up the market to affordable European and Chinese electric vehicles. The United States is going backward and Canada does not have to follow its lead.
Ford to take $19.5bn hit as US carmaker overhauls EV strategy
Group scraps plans for flagship all-electric pick-up truck on Trump regulatory changes and tepid demand
www.ft.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Another good reason for Mark Carney to open up the market to affordable European and Chinese electric vehicles. The United States is going backward and Canada does not have to follow its lead.
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
This should not happen to anyone on our streets.
Parents mourn loss of three-year-old daughter killed in Cambridge crash
www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/ar...
Parents mourn loss of three-year-old daughter killed in Cambridge crash
A Cambridge family is grieving the loss of a three-year-old girl who was hit and killed in a collision on Dec. 11.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 16, 2025 at 1:49 AM
This should not happen to anyone on our streets.
Bayview station is really terrible for bus connections (both from an access and wayfinding perspective) - which is a big problem when Line 2 is running and Line 1 is not. A lot of confused and frustrated people there today.
December 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Bayview station is really terrible for bus connections (both from an access and wayfinding perspective) - which is a big problem when Line 2 is running and Line 1 is not. A lot of confused and frustrated people there today.
Looking forward to the next @visionzeroottawa.bsky.social lab and connecting with great people doing great things with excellent transportation attire👌🏼. With @siobhanwanders.bsky.social & @eugeniewaters.bsky.social last time.
(2/3 shirts from @tomflood.bsky.social)
www.creativebyrovelo.com
(2/3 shirts from @tomflood.bsky.social)
www.creativebyrovelo.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Looking forward to the next @visionzeroottawa.bsky.social lab and connecting with great people doing great things with excellent transportation attire👌🏼. With @siobhanwanders.bsky.social & @eugeniewaters.bsky.social last time.
(2/3 shirts from @tomflood.bsky.social)
www.creativebyrovelo.com
(2/3 shirts from @tomflood.bsky.social)
www.creativebyrovelo.com
Reposted by Cassie Smith (she/her)
🚨No loss of life or serious injury on our roads is acceptable.
📣Join our Action Lab with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
👉Holding policy makers accountable
👉Using stories of road violence for good
Featured Guest: David Shellnutt
📆January 6th 7:00-8:30pm
👇Details and RSVP
wp.me/PgXcP6-2t
📣Join our Action Lab with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
👉Holding policy makers accountable
👉Using stories of road violence for good
Featured Guest: David Shellnutt
📆January 6th 7:00-8:30pm
👇Details and RSVP
wp.me/PgXcP6-2t
December 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
🚨No loss of life or serious injury on our roads is acceptable.
📣Join our Action Lab with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
👉Holding policy makers accountable
👉Using stories of road violence for good
Featured Guest: David Shellnutt
📆January 6th 7:00-8:30pm
👇Details and RSVP
wp.me/PgXcP6-2t
📣Join our Action Lab with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
👉Holding policy makers accountable
👉Using stories of road violence for good
Featured Guest: David Shellnutt
📆January 6th 7:00-8:30pm
👇Details and RSVP
wp.me/PgXcP6-2t