Martyn Schmoll
@martyn.bsky.social
Toronto. Vancouver. Safe streets. Strong towns. Next-generation cities and mobility. Progressive politics. Craft beer. Co-founder of betternorthshore.ca. Work: martynschmoll.com
Pinned
“In like 95% of situations where a disengagement or accident happens with autonomous vehicles, it’s a very regular, routine situation for humans … These are not challenging situations whatsoever.” www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
We Still Don’t Know if Robotaxis Are Safer Than Human Drivers
And even if self-driving technology proves to be less dangerous, there are many better ways to improve traffic safety and prevent fatal crashes.
www.bloomberg.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:07 AM
“In like 95% of situations where a disengagement or accident happens with autonomous vehicles, it’s a very regular, routine situation for humans … These are not challenging situations whatsoever.” www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
Calgary’s homes: 57% single-family, 27% apartments
Vancouver: 15% SFH, 62% apartments
CNV: 11% SFH vs 67% apartments
Our politicians shouldn’t ignore these differences when looking at Calgary as a bellwether of public support for the missing middle housing choices that our younger residents need
Vancouver: 15% SFH, 62% apartments
CNV: 11% SFH vs 67% apartments
Our politicians shouldn’t ignore these differences when looking at Calgary as a bellwether of public support for the missing middle housing choices that our younger residents need
Calgary's recent move to repeal multi-unit zoning provides 'beacon of hope' for some B.C. politicians
A big shift in Calgary's municipal politics is being welcomed as a hopeful sign by some British Columbians worried about densification.
vancouversun.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Calgary’s homes: 57% single-family, 27% apartments
Vancouver: 15% SFH, 62% apartments
CNV: 11% SFH vs 67% apartments
Our politicians shouldn’t ignore these differences when looking at Calgary as a bellwether of public support for the missing middle housing choices that our younger residents need
Vancouver: 15% SFH, 62% apartments
CNV: 11% SFH vs 67% apartments
Our politicians shouldn’t ignore these differences when looking at Calgary as a bellwether of public support for the missing middle housing choices that our younger residents need
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
Want to know what District of North Vancouver is (not) doing to make sure we get affordable homes in every neighbourhood? Do you like dogs, climate solutions, beer, good conversation? Our November newsletter has something for everyone. Join our mailing list! www.betternorthshore.ca/newsletter/n...
November 2025 on the Shore — Better North Shore
Did the District of North Vancouver’s plan for how to accommodate growth go the dogs? Or what? Housing and Official Community Plans are the big issue this month in all three municipalities. Spotlight ...
www.betternorthshore.ca
November 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Want to know what District of North Vancouver is (not) doing to make sure we get affordable homes in every neighbourhood? Do you like dogs, climate solutions, beer, good conversation? Our November newsletter has something for everyone. Join our mailing list! www.betternorthshore.ca/newsletter/n...
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
BC moves from leader to follower on zero-emission vehicle mandates -- a follower in retreat. Sad to see:
vancouversun.com/news/bc-chan...
vancouversun.com/news/bc-chan...
B.C. to scrap requirement that all new vehicles be zero-emission by 2035
Energy Minister Adrian Dix plans to introduce legislation in the spring to revise the EV mandate and said any new rebates are up to Ottawa
vancouversun.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
BC moves from leader to follower on zero-emission vehicle mandates -- a follower in retreat. Sad to see:
vancouversun.com/news/bc-chan...
vancouversun.com/news/bc-chan...
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
TONIGHT’S new-ish book in the #UrbanismBookClub is an important one — “Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities” by @veronicaodavis.bsky.social via @islandpress.bsky.social (2023). Foreword by @tamikabutler.bsky.social, cover art by @martyn.bsky.social. Great read. 2/
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 AM
TONIGHT’S new-ish book in the #UrbanismBookClub is an important one — “Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities” by @veronicaodavis.bsky.social via @islandpress.bsky.social (2023). Foreword by @tamikabutler.bsky.social, cover art by @martyn.bsky.social. Great read. 2/
Nice to meet you last night, Chris.
November 9, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Nice to meet you last night, Chris.
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
Awesome event tonight!! More photos to come. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported!
November 9, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Awesome event tonight!! More photos to come. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported!
Full house for the #Vancouver launch of Life After Cars tonight with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social @sgoodyear.bsky.social @lucymaloney.bsky.social @tomflood.bsky.social
Thanks to @visionzerovancouver.ca for organizing. #urbanismbookclub
Thanks to @visionzerovancouver.ca for organizing. #urbanismbookclub
November 9, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Full house for the #Vancouver launch of Life After Cars tonight with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social @sgoodyear.bsky.social @lucymaloney.bsky.social @tomflood.bsky.social
Thanks to @visionzerovancouver.ca for organizing. #urbanismbookclub
Thanks to @visionzerovancouver.ca for organizing. #urbanismbookclub
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
Whenever you cycle in the Netherlands, you are riding on the shoulders of giants. Tens of thousands of regular citizens who, five decades ago, took to the streets to fight back against the rampant rise of the car in their community. Without this defiant act, their country would look like any other.🧵
November 2, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Whenever you cycle in the Netherlands, you are riding on the shoulders of giants. Tens of thousands of regular citizens who, five decades ago, took to the streets to fight back against the rampant rise of the car in their community. Without this defiant act, their country would look like any other.🧵
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
NEW: Who are the 7 inaugural inductees enshrined into the URBANISM/CITY-BUILDING SOCIAL MEDIA HALL OF FAME? My new STARTER PACK!
@modacitylife.com
@streetfilms.bsky.social
@jasonthorne.bsky.social
@katharinehayhoe.com
@dieworkwear.bsky.social
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
@hackneycyclist.bsky.social
@modacitylife.com
@streetfilms.bsky.social
@jasonthorne.bsky.social
@katharinehayhoe.com
@dieworkwear.bsky.social
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
@hackneycyclist.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
NEW: Who are the 7 inaugural inductees enshrined into the URBANISM/CITY-BUILDING SOCIAL MEDIA HALL OF FAME? My new STARTER PACK!
@modacitylife.com
@streetfilms.bsky.social
@jasonthorne.bsky.social
@katharinehayhoe.com
@dieworkwear.bsky.social
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
@hackneycyclist.bsky.social
@modacitylife.com
@streetfilms.bsky.social
@jasonthorne.bsky.social
@katharinehayhoe.com
@dieworkwear.bsky.social
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
@hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
Like the circulatory system delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout the human body, Amsterdam’s 1,300 km network of bike paths, lanes and streets delivers half a million daily cyclists—the lifeblood of the city—to their work, school and everywhere in between. From the “Amsterdam in Motion” exhibit.
November 2, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Like the circulatory system delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout the human body, Amsterdam’s 1,300 km network of bike paths, lanes and streets delivers half a million daily cyclists—the lifeblood of the city—to their work, school and everywhere in between. From the “Amsterdam in Motion” exhibit.
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
The bicycles in those pics are called "mamacharis" and I see them as additional traffic calmers in Tokyo along with what you've already mentioned here
moderndaybartleby.wordpress.com/2025/05/25/a...
moderndaybartleby.wordpress.com/2025/05/25/a...
A Mamachari Will Lead Us
Let us praise the mamachari. Well, to do that for folks outside of Japan, I must explain what the mamachari is. The mamachari is an electric bicycle with child seats, often a child seat both in fro…
moderndaybartleby.wordpress.com
October 19, 2025 at 1:12 PM
The bicycles in those pics are called "mamacharis" and I see them as additional traffic calmers in Tokyo along with what you've already mentioned here
moderndaybartleby.wordpress.com/2025/05/25/a...
moderndaybartleby.wordpress.com/2025/05/25/a...
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
Remember earlier this year when Trump said he wanted Japan to import more American cars. Take a look at these streets. This is typical of the streets in villages and towns in Japan. Off the main routes, the same is true in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Can you imagine driving an SUV on them?
I wondered whether the smaller cars and trucks, the many narrower streets, and the generally slower speeds I’m seeing in Tokyo mean a lower pedestrian injury/fatality rate than North American cities. So I looked it up. Tokyo: 1.04 fatalities/100,000 people. Houston: 15 fatalities/100,000 people.
October 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Remember earlier this year when Trump said he wanted Japan to import more American cars. Take a look at these streets. This is typical of the streets in villages and towns in Japan. Off the main routes, the same is true in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Can you imagine driving an SUV on them?
Yeah, that’s weird.
October 19, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Yeah, that’s weird.
Fun to come across my tweets from my trip to Tokyo earlier this year again.
I wondered whether the smaller cars and trucks, the many narrower streets, and the generally slower speeds I’m seeing in Tokyo mean a lower pedestrian injury/fatality rate than North American cities. So I looked it up. Tokyo: 1.04 fatalities/100,000 people. Houston: 15 fatalities/100,000 people.
October 19, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Fun to come across my tweets from my trip to Tokyo earlier this year again.
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
Want to get more involved in your North Shore community? Love mountain biking? Want a free tree for your street? Interested in stormwater management or food security? Public art? The October newsletter is out with something for everyone. Join our mailing list! www.betternorthshore.ca/newsletter/o...
October 2025 on the Shore — Better North Shore
So many opportunities to participate in public life—from joining a civic committee to attending a workshop, or having fun at a pub night—the North Shore is activity central. Join in!
www.betternorthshore.ca
October 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Want to get more involved in your North Shore community? Love mountain biking? Want a free tree for your street? Interested in stormwater management or food security? Public art? The October newsletter is out with something for everyone. Join our mailing list! www.betternorthshore.ca/newsletter/o...
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
Some news: This winter Team Oonee is launching NYC's first Dutch-Style🚲 parking hub in Brooklyn's Sunset Park. The Hub will provide free parking for 100+ bikes/scooters, and will include safe charging, and appt based repairs + lite service. This will make history in several ways.
More deets in 🧵👇🏾
More deets in 🧵👇🏾
September 15, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Some news: This winter Team Oonee is launching NYC's first Dutch-Style🚲 parking hub in Brooklyn's Sunset Park. The Hub will provide free parking for 100+ bikes/scooters, and will include safe charging, and appt based repairs + lite service. This will make history in several ways.
More deets in 🧵👇🏾
More deets in 🧵👇🏾
This is around St George and 8th. The Prince Edward route runs south from 14th.
September 10, 2025 at 5:38 AM
This is around St George and 8th. The Prince Edward route runs south from 14th.
Awesome new bikeway on St George Street in #Vancouver, flanked by pollinator gardens and bioswales. This is how you do it.
September 8, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Awesome new bikeway on St George Street in #Vancouver, flanked by pollinator gardens and bioswales. This is how you do it.
“Calls are increasing for more to be done to reduce the number of SUVs in London, with campaigners arguing that drivers of these cars should pay more to park and use the roads in the capital.” www.bbc.com/news/article...
Is London set to put the brakes on SUVs?
The number of SUVs in London has increased tenfold in 20 years, prompting calls to curb their use.
www.bbc.com
August 29, 2025 at 5:16 PM
“Calls are increasing for more to be done to reduce the number of SUVs in London, with campaigners arguing that drivers of these cars should pay more to park and use the roads in the capital.” www.bbc.com/news/article...
“By signing up to mutual recognition of vehicle standards with the United States, the European Union has waved the white flag on road safety. This is not a technical detail – it is a political choice that puts trade convenience ahead of saving lives.” etsc.eu/etsc-mutual-...
ETSC: Mutual recognition deal with U.S. will cost lives on Europe’s roads
By signing up to mutual recognition of vehicle standards with the United States, the European Union has waved the white flag on road safety. This is not a technical detail – it is a political choice…
etsc.eu
August 28, 2025 at 10:39 PM
“By signing up to mutual recognition of vehicle standards with the United States, the European Union has waved the white flag on road safety. This is not a technical detail – it is a political choice that puts trade convenience ahead of saving lives.” etsc.eu/etsc-mutual-...
Reposted by Martyn Schmoll
The future North Shore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service will span 21 km with 16-17 stations, connecting the North Shore, Vancouver, and Burnaby. This rapid transit service will be fast, reliable, and comfortable.
Take the survey now: https://translinklistens.ca/bus-rapid-transit-program
Take the survey now: https://translinklistens.ca/bus-rapid-transit-program
August 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The future North Shore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service will span 21 km with 16-17 stations, connecting the North Shore, Vancouver, and Burnaby. This rapid transit service will be fast, reliable, and comfortable.
Take the survey now: https://translinklistens.ca/bus-rapid-transit-program
Take the survey now: https://translinklistens.ca/bus-rapid-transit-program
Brilliant evening for the Vancouver Big Tent Urbanist meetup. Always so much positivity and great ideas to take away from these conversations. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.
August 23, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Brilliant evening for the Vancouver Big Tent Urbanist meetup. Always so much positivity and great ideas to take away from these conversations. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.
Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones tonight at the Vancouver Big Tent Urbanist event. Weather’s looking great! 🌞
August 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones tonight at the Vancouver Big Tent Urbanist event. Weather’s looking great! 🌞