Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
@pentastich.bsky.social
Urbanism, utility cycling, rowing, food, vintage cocktails, and city living. Victoria, BC, Canada. He/him.
Blog: https://www.boomin-in-victoria.ca
Mastodon (rarely) https://urbanists.social/@pentastich
Formerly @pentastich on Birdland
Blog: https://www.boomin-in-victoria.ca
Mastodon (rarely) https://urbanists.social/@pentastich
Formerly @pentastich on Birdland
This is a wonderful story about resilience and the value of community. I can't help but think how much easier her life would have been in a place like Victoria (#yyj) that has embraced transportation options. Options enable freedom.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
FIRST PERSON | I lost my driver’s licence for a year in Whitehorse. Everything went uphill from there | CBC News
In 2024, Vivienne Steele had a medical change that resulted in her driver’s licence being suspended. Over the next year, she rode buses, bikes, walked or bummed rides around Whitehorse, and learned mo...
www.cbc.ca
January 18, 2026 at 1:16 AM
This is a wonderful story about resilience and the value of community. I can't help but think how much easier her life would have been in a place like Victoria (#yyj) that has embraced transportation options. Options enable freedom.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
This post by Victoria Councillor @davethompsonvic.bsky.social is really good, as is his blog post on homelessness at the end of the thread. These problems are SO not limited to Victoria, and won't be solved with localized "whack-a-mole" approaches to a systemic problem.
#yyj #housing
#yyj #housing
Globe and Mail: "Small and remote towns across Canada are struggling with a surge in homelessness"
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
#homelessness #yyj
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
#homelessness #yyj
Small and remote towns across Canada are struggling with a surge in homelessness
Unsheltered population has doubled or tripled in remote or rural regions ill-equipped to help
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:41 PM
This post by Victoria Councillor @davethompsonvic.bsky.social is really good, as is his blog post on homelessness at the end of the thread. These problems are SO not limited to Victoria, and won't be solved with localized "whack-a-mole" approaches to a systemic problem.
#yyj #housing
#yyj #housing
1/ I saw this video about the really, really, bad New Jersey e-bike law that's on the governor's desk. The presenter does a good job of describing the problem with e-motorbikes, why they get confused with e-bikes, and makes a case for licensing…
#yyjbike
youtu.be/gjRNoVYuo28
#yyjbike
youtu.be/gjRNoVYuo28
This Dumb E-Bike Law Affects Everyone
YouTube video by Berm Peak
youtu.be
January 17, 2026 at 11:31 PM
1/ I saw this video about the really, really, bad New Jersey e-bike law that's on the governor's desk. The presenter does a good job of describing the problem with e-motorbikes, why they get confused with e-bikes, and makes a case for licensing…
#yyjbike
youtu.be/gjRNoVYuo28
#yyjbike
youtu.be/gjRNoVYuo28
Reposted by Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
Development fees don't "come out of the land" if you're an existing family redeveloping your home into a multigenerational plex.
City and Metro fees just add straight into the cost.
City and Metro fees just add straight into the cost.
January 16, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Development fees don't "come out of the land" if you're an existing family redeveloping your home into a multigenerational plex.
City and Metro fees just add straight into the cost.
City and Metro fees just add straight into the cost.
Some smart words on safety and Sigler egress buildings. The key is the short distance to an egress and the small number of people in the building. These buildings are a great option for delightful infill homes in Victoria.
#yyj
#yyj
The big thing opposition to this reform misses, I think largely because it hasn't been communicated perfectly, is that this reform is being suggested ONLY for small buildings.
The American mind (or maybe, the suburban mind) struggles to comprehend that new multifamily buildings can ever be small.
The American mind (or maybe, the suburban mind) struggles to comprehend that new multifamily buildings can ever be small.
January 16, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Some smart words on safety and Sigler egress buildings. The key is the short distance to an egress and the small number of people in the building. These buildings are a great option for delightful infill homes in Victoria.
#yyj
#yyj
I think this take from Aaron Wherry about the Canada/China trade deal is spot on:
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
January 16, 2026 at 8:46 PM
I think this take from Aaron Wherry about the Canada/China trade deal is spot on:
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
1/ It's winter. That wonderful time of year when every newspaper decides to run "public safety" pieces about how every person who dares to step outside should be decked out like a Christmas tree.
#yyj
www.timescolonist.com/driving/john...
#yyj
www.timescolonist.com/driving/john...
John Ducker: Pedestrian visibility is crucial in these dark, wet winter months
Light-coloured clothing, reflective strips, arm bands or small LED lights can dramatically improve being seen. Also, make eye contact with drivers before stepping onto the road.
www.timescolonist.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:19 PM
1/ It's winter. That wonderful time of year when every newspaper decides to run "public safety" pieces about how every person who dares to step outside should be decked out like a Christmas tree.
#yyj
www.timescolonist.com/driving/john...
#yyj
www.timescolonist.com/driving/john...
This is relevant in Victoria, too. Our recent OCP changes allow 4 and 6 storey buildings by right, and BC's legalization of single-egress designs offer better designs for smaller lots. Our challenge will be making sure the rules and "guidelines" allow useful buildings to be viable.
#yyj
#yyj
Great article! We need to ensure that Ottawa's housing strategy & innovations support small builds as well as large towers. It's that "missing-middle", six-storeys and under range. For this builder, these builds cost less and are less risky. 1/ www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/...
Developers embrace the big advantages to building small
Lower-rise projects can be more affordable to build – and carry less risk
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:28 PM
This is relevant in Victoria, too. Our recent OCP changes allow 4 and 6 storey buildings by right, and BC's legalization of single-egress designs offer better designs for smaller lots. Our challenge will be making sure the rules and "guidelines" allow useful buildings to be viable.
#yyj
#yyj
Reposted by Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
“Thousands of crashes reported as winter storm pounds the Toronto area”
Sorry, cars just aren’t practical here. We’re not California or Texas. We have winter.
Sorry, cars just aren’t practical here. We’re not California or Texas. We have winter.
‘Stay home’: Thousands of crashes reported as winter storm pounds the Toronto area
YouTube video by CTV News
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:17 PM
“Thousands of crashes reported as winter storm pounds the Toronto area”
Sorry, cars just aren’t practical here. We’re not California or Texas. We have winter.
Sorry, cars just aren’t practical here. We’re not California or Texas. We have winter.
Reposted by Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
Addiction, overdoses, street disorder.
In 1959.
Worth watching.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pimq...
#yyj #yvr
In 1959.
Worth watching.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pimq...
#yyj #yvr
January 14, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Addiction, overdoses, street disorder.
In 1959.
Worth watching.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pimq...
#yyj #yvr
In 1959.
Worth watching.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pimq...
#yyj #yvr
Ford is out of line. Crown Royal whisky for the Canadian market will continue to be made AND BOTTLED in Canada. The company moved bottling for the US market to the US, which is sad, but easy to understand. Premiers should not boycott the products of other provinces.
www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/art...
www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/art...
Kinew asks Ford to reconsider Crown Royal boycott in Ontario
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is calling on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to drop plans for a boycott of Crown Royal whisky.
www.ctvnews.ca
January 14, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Ford is out of line. Crown Royal whisky for the Canadian market will continue to be made AND BOTTLED in Canada. The company moved bottling for the US market to the US, which is sad, but easy to understand. Premiers should not boycott the products of other provinces.
www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/art...
www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/art...
1/ For those who think that homelessness in Victoria is caused by a permissive "clownsil" and our warm climate, and not a scourge across all of Canada, here's an article about the dramatic increase of homelessness in rural, Northern, Ontario.
#yyj #housing
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/39c067e...
#yyj #housing
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/39c067e...
Homelessness in rural, Northern Ontario surging, outpacing rest of province, report says
Homelessness in the north has increased by about 117.5% since 2021, Association of Municipalities of Ontario says
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:55 PM
1/ For those who think that homelessness in Victoria is caused by a permissive "clownsil" and our warm climate, and not a scourge across all of Canada, here's an article about the dramatic increase of homelessness in rural, Northern, Ontario.
#yyj #housing
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/39c067e...
#yyj #housing
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/39c067e...
I assume this will affect the Wharf Street bike lanes, too.
#yyjbike
#yyjbike
Notice: Wharf St. closed between Yates St. and Fort St.
🕓 Jan. 14, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🚧 Crane removal of light poles
🚩 Sidewalk access available with detours, businesses in the area remain open
#yyjtraffic
🕓 Jan. 14, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🚧 Crane removal of light poles
🚩 Sidewalk access available with detours, businesses in the area remain open
#yyjtraffic
January 13, 2026 at 5:41 PM
I assume this will affect the Wharf Street bike lanes, too.
#yyjbike
#yyjbike
Reposted by Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
Get you a city council guy who's as accessible as this, that's my advice. #yyj
I have some community coffee-chats coming up: January 14, 15, and 27. ☕
Feel free to drop by and share what you’d like City Council and the CRD to do in the coming months and years. I'll be there to listen and learn. :-)
More info: davethompsonvictoria.ca/coffee-chat-...
#yyj
Feel free to drop by and share what you’d like City Council and the CRD to do in the coming months and years. I'll be there to listen and learn. :-)
More info: davethompsonvictoria.ca/coffee-chat-...
#yyj
January 12, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Get you a city council guy who's as accessible as this, that's my advice. #yyj
1/ There's an smart member motion at this Thursdays COTW meeting from Councillor @kristaloughton.bsky.social. There's a problem here in Victoria where people have been getting better in supportive housing, are…
#yyj #housing
pub-victoria.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
#yyj #housing
pub-victoria.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
Council Member Motion: Positive Flow: Unlocking Supportive Housing and Shelter Spaces - Committee of the Whole - January 15, 2026
pub-victoria.escribemeetings.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:55 PM
1/ There's an smart member motion at this Thursdays COTW meeting from Councillor @kristaloughton.bsky.social. There's a problem here in Victoria where people have been getting better in supportive housing, are…
#yyj #housing
pub-victoria.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
#yyj #housing
pub-victoria.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
1/ I wish more people understood that in BC, city councils (like #yyj) don't propose the police budget or set policy. The police board does that, and it's mostly appointed by the province. The city can veto budget line items, but the board can appeal to the province, which often overturns the veto.
Why is #yyj city council seriously considering increasing the police budget even though we can see that police make communities unsafe?
January 11, 2026 at 3:52 AM
1/ I wish more people understood that in BC, city councils (like #yyj) don't propose the police budget or set policy. The police board does that, and it's mostly appointed by the province. The city can veto budget line items, but the board can appeal to the province, which often overturns the veto.
Victoria, BC is a great example of this! Building a network of safe, useful, bike & roll routes has made cycling a viable transportation option for many, many, trips—and it shows in our bike counter data.
#yyj
#yyj
Widening a highway to cure congestion is like losing weight by buying bigger pants — but thanks to the same principle of "induced demand," adding bike paths and train lines to cure climate actually works. usa.streetsblog.org/2026/01/09/c...
Confirmed: Non-Driving Infrastructure Creates 'Induced Demand,' Too — Streetsblog USA
Widening a highway to cure congestion is like losing weight by buying bigger pants — but thanks to the same principle of "induced demand," adding bike paths and train lines to cure climate actually…
usa.streetsblog.org
January 10, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Victoria, BC is a great example of this! Building a network of safe, useful, bike & roll routes has made cycling a viable transportation option for many, many, trips—and it shows in our bike counter data.
#yyj
#yyj
Reposted by Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
VicPD seeking hit and run info. "January 7, 2026... pedestrian ... struck at the intersection of Hillside Avenue and Quadra Street."
vicpd.ca/2026/01/08/v...
#yyj #safety
vicpd.ca/2026/01/08/v...
#yyj #safety
VicPD Investigating Pedestrian Collision – Seeking Witnesses and Dashcam Footage - VicPD.ca
January 8, 2026 File: 2026-910 Victoria, B.C. – On January [...]
vicpd.ca
January 9, 2026 at 5:10 AM
VicPD seeking hit and run info. "January 7, 2026... pedestrian ... struck at the intersection of Hillside Avenue and Quadra Street."
vicpd.ca/2026/01/08/v...
#yyj #safety
vicpd.ca/2026/01/08/v...
#yyj #safety
Reposted by Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
Censorship is now defined as: “Having to give the other members on council time to read and evaluate the materials i’m providing so we’re all on the same page and they get to push back if my information is (mistakenly, of course!), false or misleading..
Apparently. #yyjpoli
Apparently. #yyjpoli
Caradonna being a voice of reason asking the Mayor if we should take a week or two to think about it.
Caradonna moves to postpone this section. Kim seconds.
Hammond: "This is censorship. I'll bring up whatever the hell I want, and if it's ruled out of order then it's ruled out of order."
Caradonna moves to postpone this section. Kim seconds.
Hammond: "This is censorship. I'll bring up whatever the hell I want, and if it's ruled out of order then it's ruled out of order."
January 8, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Censorship is now defined as: “Having to give the other members on council time to read and evaluate the materials i’m providing so we’re all on the same page and they get to push back if my information is (mistakenly, of course!), false or misleading..
Apparently. #yyjpoli
Apparently. #yyjpoli
Reposted by Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
Smart urban planning / active transportation advocates @davethompsonvic.bsky.social & @jeremycaradonnayyj.bsky.social are running again for council in #yyj . If you are in their region and like what they do, be sure to rally behind them with support. Their efforts are why I visit Victoria so much.
B.C.’s next municipal elections are set for October, and some city councillors in Victoria have already confirmed they’re running for re-election.
Victoria city council: Who’s running for re-election in 2026?
B.C.’s next municipal elections are set for October, and some city councillors in Victoria have already confirmed they’re running for re-election.
cheknews.ca
January 7, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Smart urban planning / active transportation advocates @davethompsonvic.bsky.social & @jeremycaradonnayyj.bsky.social are running again for council in #yyj . If you are in their region and like what they do, be sure to rally behind them with support. Their efforts are why I visit Victoria so much.
I am so glad to hear this!
January 7, 2026 at 1:35 AM
I am so glad to hear this!
Reposted by Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
My thoughts about the success story the City of Victoria bike lanes have been
#yyj
#bikelanes
open.substack.com/pub/bern99/p...
#yyj
#bikelanes
open.substack.com/pub/bern99/p...
Bike Lanes, Noise, and the High Cost of Storing Cars
It is really time to have some equity in how are streets are used
open.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:40 PM
My thoughts about the success story the City of Victoria bike lanes have been
#yyj
#bikelanes
open.substack.com/pub/bern99/p...
#yyj
#bikelanes
open.substack.com/pub/bern99/p...
Reposted by Jim Mayer 🇨🇦
Looking at the upcoming #victoriabc council agenda i wonder if there needs to be a limit on how many council member motions a Councillor can submit in a single Committee of the Whole session/meeting 🤦♂️ #yyjpoli www.reddit.com/r/NewWest/s/... apparently Staff in New West have been considering it..
From the NewWest community on Reddit: Monday's council meeting staff approched the idea of limiting the number of motions that can be submitted by council this is due to the number of motions being su...
Explore this post and more from the NewWest community
www.reddit.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Looking at the upcoming #victoriabc council agenda i wonder if there needs to be a limit on how many council member motions a Councillor can submit in a single Committee of the Whole session/meeting 🤦♂️ #yyjpoli www.reddit.com/r/NewWest/s/... apparently Staff in New West have been considering it..
1/ Interesting article about the #yyj conference centre. I have no opinion about this other than that I have learned to look at the economic analysis used to justify these investments critically.
cheknews.ca/shared-space...
cheknews.ca/shared-space...
Victoria Conference centre could see major upgrades
Destination Greater Victoria is exploring three options to upgrade the Victoria Conference Centre, with one option that would create a shared space inside the Royal BC Museum.
cheknews.ca
January 2, 2026 at 8:10 PM
1/ Interesting article about the #yyj conference centre. I have no opinion about this other than that I have learned to look at the economic analysis used to justify these investments critically.
cheknews.ca/shared-space...
cheknews.ca/shared-space...
1/ This is both great news and a telling example of exactly how badly Oak Bay is fumbling the housing crisis. First, for those who haven't read the article, UVic is looking to build thousands of market-rate housing units. That would definitely help build more, attractive, housing in…
#yyj
#yyj
December 31, 2025 at 12:45 AM
1/ This is both great news and a telling example of exactly how badly Oak Bay is fumbling the housing crisis. First, for those who haven't read the article, UVic is looking to build thousands of market-rate housing units. That would definitely help build more, attractive, housing in…
#yyj
#yyj