Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
@longbranchmike.bsky.social
Managing Editor of LondonReconnections.com. Open to colabs. Opinions are mine own. EN/FR (he/him/il/lui)
You know, I'm something of a foamer myself...
You know, I'm something of a foamer myself...
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
"Underneath nostalgia about glamorous 1930s passenger trains, lonesome steam whistles, and Lionel Toy trains rumbles something vastly more important: the landscape people created around the railroad was better than the sprawl the automobile engenders."
—John Stilgoe, Train Time.
—John Stilgoe, Train Time.
February 17, 2026 at 2:02 PM
"Underneath nostalgia about glamorous 1930s passenger trains, lonesome steam whistles, and Lionel Toy trains rumbles something vastly more important: the landscape people created around the railroad was better than the sprawl the automobile engenders."
—John Stilgoe, Train Time.
—John Stilgoe, Train Time.
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Love people who don't take themselves seriously. 2 Canadian women in their 50s try every Olympic sport (3.5 min video): www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
How hard are Winter Olympic sports? These two ladies set off to find out
Anne Lefebvre and Jenn Wroe are attempting to try every Winter Olympic sport they can before the games finish, hoping to inspire other women in their 50s. The CBCs Emma Weller caught up with them in C...
www.cbc.ca
February 17, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Love people who don't take themselves seriously. 2 Canadian women in their 50s try every Olympic sport (3.5 min video): www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Currently reading Greyhound: A Memoir by Joanna Pocock in which she rides the eponymous bus-lines across the USA, and every page gives the feeling that it is the portrait of a third-world country rapidly circling the drain. Also, how motor-normativity and humanity are antithetical to one another.
February 16, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Currently reading Greyhound: A Memoir by Joanna Pocock in which she rides the eponymous bus-lines across the USA, and every page gives the feeling that it is the portrait of a third-world country rapidly circling the drain. Also, how motor-normativity and humanity are antithetical to one another.
Rex’s Dino store inside the Grand Army Plaza subway station — check out Rex’s inventory.
#Brooklyn #Photography
#BlueskyArtShow #NYC
#Installation #DadHumor
#Brooklyn #Photography
#BlueskyArtShow #NYC
#Installation #DadHumor
February 16, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Do YOU have an aging friend/relative who should stop driving? Tell them this story from San Francisco. Ask how they will feel if they kill an entire family.
But don't tell them that even then, they'll be forgiven and be able to drive again.
This verdict is obscene.
www.ktvu.com/news/woman-a...
But don't tell them that even then, they'll be forgiven and be able to drive again.
This verdict is obscene.
www.ktvu.com/news/woman-a...
Woman accused of wiping out entire family in San Francisco crash likely won't get prison time
An 80-year-old woman accused of driving at a high rate of speed and crashing into a family of four, killing them, at a San Francisco bus stop nearly two years ago, appeared in court on Friday. Mary Fo...
www.ktvu.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Do YOU have an aging friend/relative who should stop driving? Tell them this story from San Francisco. Ask how they will feel if they kill an entire family.
But don't tell them that even then, they'll be forgiven and be able to drive again.
This verdict is obscene.
www.ktvu.com/news/woman-a...
But don't tell them that even then, they'll be forgiven and be able to drive again.
This verdict is obscene.
www.ktvu.com/news/woman-a...
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Louis Armand, long-time chief of France's national railway system, didn't live long enough to see le Train à Grande Vitesse, that country's high-speed rail system. But he was a seer, proclaiming that "railways will be the mode of transport for the 21st century, if it can survive the 20th".
February 16, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Louis Armand, long-time chief of France's national railway system, didn't live long enough to see le Train à Grande Vitesse, that country's high-speed rail system. But he was a seer, proclaiming that "railways will be the mode of transport for the 21st century, if it can survive the 20th".
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Progress is inherently liberal.
February 16, 2026 at 6:01 AM
Progress is inherently liberal.
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
This year is already off to a rough start for VIA service in Atlantic Canada, with a derailment, cancellations, and now reduced capacity for the next month. This is a worrying sign for VIA's future in the region, with years to wait on new equipment. transportactionatlantic.ca/via-ocean-se...
February 16, 2026 at 3:27 PM
This year is already off to a rough start for VIA service in Atlantic Canada, with a derailment, cancellations, and now reduced capacity for the next month. This is a worrying sign for VIA's future in the region, with years to wait on new equipment. transportactionatlantic.ca/via-ocean-se...
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
I often will pick up and throw away something a person a few steps ahead of me has tossed, if it's something relatively not gross like a chips bag or whatever. Drives me nuts. When I was younger I would sometimes make a point of letting them see me do it...more cautious these days.
It’s funny because it’s mostly true. I’ve seen so many NYers just toss their trash on the street, even when garbage cans are nearby. 🤣😞
February 16, 2026 at 3:34 PM
I often will pick up and throw away something a person a few steps ahead of me has tossed, if it's something relatively not gross like a chips bag or whatever. Drives me nuts. When I was younger I would sometimes make a point of letting them see me do it...more cautious these days.
How long before both Northumberland Park and Heworth stations have their platform numbering corrected to create a single coherent interchange at each?
If we can get this tweet viral I'd say we can get it done in a month.
If we can get this tweet viral I'd say we can get it done in a month.
February 16, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Galloway created a website listing companies that help Ice and Border Patrol or are so big that their slowdown would have a national impact.
"The most radical act you can perform in a capitalist society is non-participation." www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
"The most radical act you can perform in a capitalist society is non-participation." www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
DVDs and public transit: Boycott drives people to ditch Big Tech to protest ICE
A sweeping boycott has begun — targeting tech giants who participants believe are enabling President Trump and his immigration crackdown.
www.npr.org
February 16, 2026 at 4:17 AM
Galloway created a website listing companies that help Ice and Border Patrol or are so big that their slowdown would have a national impact.
"The most radical act you can perform in a capitalist society is non-participation." www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
"The most radical act you can perform in a capitalist society is non-participation." www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
From Google it looks like it was a Honda Motocompacto. I didn't even know Honda made those. Amazing. The GO sticker was cute
Anyhow, this is what those Honda things look like:
Anyhow, this is what those Honda things look like:
February 16, 2026 at 5:20 AM
From Google it looks like it was a Honda Motocompacto. I didn't even know Honda made those. Amazing. The GO sticker was cute
Anyhow, this is what those Honda things look like:
Anyhow, this is what those Honda things look like:
Just saw that Xing Zhilei, the Chinese DIY influencer, posted an update on his self-built cat town which went viral last year.
youtu.be/i1savUPr-yU
youtu.be/i1savUPr-yU
February 16, 2026 at 1:24 PM
How slow can you go!
Did you know that powered mobility aid users are only allowed to go up to 4mph on traffic-free cycle routes?
Find out more about weird restrictions and grey areas in UK mobility aid laws in our detailed resources!
wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Did you know that powered mobility aid users are only allowed to go up to 4mph on traffic-free cycle routes?
Find out more about weird restrictions and grey areas in UK mobility aid laws in our detailed resources!
wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/wp-content/u...
February 16, 2026 at 1:12 PM
EMUs and more frequent service = more transit riders
C'mon, hurry up Metrolinx!
jalopnik.com/ridership-of...
C'mon, hurry up Metrolinx!
jalopnik.com/ridership-of...
Ridership Of Bay Area Caltrain Is Up Drastically Following A Transition To New Electric Trains
It’s not due to return-to-office mandates, either. Better trains and service are just more appealing
jalopnik.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:09 AM
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Even better: The Continuous Sidewalk.
Instead of forcing people to step down into the street, we make the cars step up into the pedestrian space. It prioritizes the person walking or rolling, keeps the path level for accessibility, and physically forces drivers to slow down.
Instead of forcing people to step down into the street, we make the cars step up into the pedestrian space. It prioritizes the person walking or rolling, keeps the path level for accessibility, and physically forces drivers to slow down.
February 16, 2026 at 3:52 AM
Even better: The Continuous Sidewalk.
Instead of forcing people to step down into the street, we make the cars step up into the pedestrian space. It prioritizes the person walking or rolling, keeps the path level for accessibility, and physically forces drivers to slow down.
Instead of forcing people to step down into the street, we make the cars step up into the pedestrian space. It prioritizes the person walking or rolling, keeps the path level for accessibility, and physically forces drivers to slow down.
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Today T6 Nord tramway opened in Lyon. The project isn't very big (just 5.5 km) but the timeline is just impressive: the project was launched in 2020, 3 years for planning, design, public consultation, permitting and contracting and less than 3 years for construction.
youtu.be/XiJesxVJXFo?...
youtu.be/XiJesxVJXFo?...
Prolongement du tram T6 : la RÉTROSPECTIVE
YouTube video by SYTRAL Mobilités
youtu.be
February 14, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Today T6 Nord tramway opened in Lyon. The project isn't very big (just 5.5 km) but the timeline is just impressive: the project was launched in 2020, 3 years for planning, design, public consultation, permitting and contracting and less than 3 years for construction.
youtu.be/XiJesxVJXFo?...
youtu.be/XiJesxVJXFo?...
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Big Tech targeted in anti-ICE boycott. Could it work?
Include me in this effort as I wean myself off of Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and anything and everything Elon Musk-related!
The big Tech companies have sold us out for the sake of profits and CEO wealth.
www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
Include me in this effort as I wean myself off of Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and anything and everything Elon Musk-related!
The big Tech companies have sold us out for the sake of profits and CEO wealth.
www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
DVDs and public transit: Boycott drives people to ditch Big Tech to protest ICE
A sweeping boycott has begun — targeting tech giants who participants believe are enabling President Trump and his immigration crackdown.
www.npr.org
February 15, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Big Tech targeted in anti-ICE boycott. Could it work?
Include me in this effort as I wean myself off of Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and anything and everything Elon Musk-related!
The big Tech companies have sold us out for the sake of profits and CEO wealth.
www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
Include me in this effort as I wean myself off of Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and anything and everything Elon Musk-related!
The big Tech companies have sold us out for the sake of profits and CEO wealth.
www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Ooh thanks looked up Asimov’s Three Laws. A robot:
- may not injure a human or, allow a human to come to harm
- must obey orders given it by humans except if conflict with First Law
- must protect its own existence as long as no conflict with the First or Second Law
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_L...
- may not injure a human or, allow a human to come to harm
- must obey orders given it by humans except if conflict with First Law
- must protect its own existence as long as no conflict with the First or Second Law
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_L...
Three Laws of Robotics - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 15, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Ooh thanks looked up Asimov’s Three Laws. A robot:
- may not injure a human or, allow a human to come to harm
- must obey orders given it by humans except if conflict with First Law
- must protect its own existence as long as no conflict with the First or Second Law
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_L...
- may not injure a human or, allow a human to come to harm
- must obey orders given it by humans except if conflict with First Law
- must protect its own existence as long as no conflict with the First or Second Law
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_L...
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
I’ll say it again. There IS such a thing as “vertical sprawl.” It’s not tall buildings. It’s tall buildings IN CAR-DEPENDENT SPRAWL.
If you do tall buildings in walkable, multi-modal urbanism, then it’s VERTICAL URBANISM, not vertical sprawl.
Suggesting otherwise means you don’t understand sprawl.
If you do tall buildings in walkable, multi-modal urbanism, then it’s VERTICAL URBANISM, not vertical sprawl.
Suggesting otherwise means you don’t understand sprawl.
February 14, 2026 at 11:00 PM
I’ll say it again. There IS such a thing as “vertical sprawl.” It’s not tall buildings. It’s tall buildings IN CAR-DEPENDENT SPRAWL.
If you do tall buildings in walkable, multi-modal urbanism, then it’s VERTICAL URBANISM, not vertical sprawl.
Suggesting otherwise means you don’t understand sprawl.
If you do tall buildings in walkable, multi-modal urbanism, then it’s VERTICAL URBANISM, not vertical sprawl.
Suggesting otherwise means you don’t understand sprawl.
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Currently trending on X (formerly Twitter), despite some people's dislike of the platform, is the news that 3D axonometric station diagrams have gone viral. This has sparked a lot of excitement among transport enthusiasts, including a tweet of my own on the subject. 🤯 🚇
February 14, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Currently trending on X (formerly Twitter), despite some people's dislike of the platform, is the news that 3D axonometric station diagrams have gone viral. This has sparked a lot of excitement among transport enthusiasts, including a tweet of my own on the subject. 🤯 🚇
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
My building got this digital notice board thing installed. Initially I thought it's maybe a bit overkill but it showing times for public transit, weather updates etc is quite nice.
February 14, 2026 at 10:48 AM
My building got this digital notice board thing installed. Initially I thought it's maybe a bit overkill but it showing times for public transit, weather updates etc is quite nice.
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
For every €1 provided through a Basic Income For Artists pilot program in Ireland, the government got €1.46 back. So it’s being made permanent.
Over and over we see it. It saves public money to provide public housing. And it makes public money to provide basic income.
We can’t afford to NOT do it.
Over and over we see it. It saves public money to provide public housing. And it makes public money to provide basic income.
We can’t afford to NOT do it.
Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
October 7, 2025 at 12:40 AM
For every €1 provided through a Basic Income For Artists pilot program in Ireland, the government got €1.46 back. So it’s being made permanent.
Over and over we see it. It saves public money to provide public housing. And it makes public money to provide basic income.
We can’t afford to NOT do it.
Over and over we see it. It saves public money to provide public housing. And it makes public money to provide basic income.
We can’t afford to NOT do it.
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
Excellent episode of The Hatchet with @arshy.bsky.social. The recent police scandal is not “a few bad apples,” the Toronto Police have been operating like organized crime for generations. They act with impunity, refuse reform, and target and punish their critics: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
The Toronto Police Has Been a Rogue Agency for Too Long. Rein Them In.
Podcast Episode · The Hatchet · 2026-02-14 · 29m
podcasts.apple.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Excellent episode of The Hatchet with @arshy.bsky.social. The recent police scandal is not “a few bad apples,” the Toronto Police have been operating like organized crime for generations. They act with impunity, refuse reform, and target and punish their critics: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
Reposted by Long Branch Mike (LBM) 🇨🇦
...suggest that lately we've been designing our transport systems with the idea that future winters are going to be milder.
Judging from the severity of the 2025/26 season, though, winter isn't done with us yet.
I dig deeper in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/winter-what-...
Judging from the severity of the 2025/26 season, though, winter isn't done with us yet.
I dig deeper in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/winter-what-...
February 13, 2026 at 9:48 PM
...suggest that lately we've been designing our transport systems with the idea that future winters are going to be milder.
Judging from the severity of the 2025/26 season, though, winter isn't done with us yet.
I dig deeper in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/winter-what-...
Judging from the severity of the 2025/26 season, though, winter isn't done with us yet.
I dig deeper in this week's HIGH SPEED dispatch:
www.highspeed.blog/winter-what-...