Ray Straatsma
@rstreets.bsky.social
“Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will” (A. Gramsci)
#yyj #VictoriaBC Lekwungen Territory
#yyj #VictoriaBC Lekwungen Territory
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
A significant move Vancouver made this week was moving forward with enabling novel Single Egress & Space Efficient Stairs. Led by the great team in Development, Buildings & Licensing, supported closely by Vancouver Fire Rescue Service; and Planning this will be transformative for low-rise apartments
December 12, 2025 at 12:37 AM
A significant move Vancouver made this week was moving forward with enabling novel Single Egress & Space Efficient Stairs. Led by the great team in Development, Buildings & Licensing, supported closely by Vancouver Fire Rescue Service; and Planning this will be transformative for low-rise apartments
Now? More like a mafia start-up since January
December 12, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Now? More like a mafia start-up since January
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Saw this comment on a headphone review.
People have zero awareness of the fact that driving a car (with the windows up, potentially music playing) substantially reduces your auditory awareness of the outside world too.
Because that’s just considered normal.
People have zero awareness of the fact that driving a car (with the windows up, potentially music playing) substantially reduces your auditory awareness of the outside world too.
Because that’s just considered normal.
December 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Saw this comment on a headphone review.
People have zero awareness of the fact that driving a car (with the windows up, potentially music playing) substantially reduces your auditory awareness of the outside world too.
Because that’s just considered normal.
People have zero awareness of the fact that driving a car (with the windows up, potentially music playing) substantially reduces your auditory awareness of the outside world too.
Because that’s just considered normal.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
"A 2018 pilot project in Washington, D.C. saw dramatic reductions in conflicts, including a 97 per cent decrease in vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts and a 92 per cent drop in failures to yield to pedestrians."
🙌🙌
🙌🙌
"The City’s own data indicate that conflicts involving right-turning vehicles are among the most common types of pedestrian collisions ... If adopted, these changes would mark one of the most significant intersection-safety reforms in Vancouver in years."
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
Ban right turns on red at intersections, proposes Vancouver city councillor | Urbanized
OneCity councillor Lucy Maloney is pushing for a ban on right turns during the red-light traffic signal at intersections across Vancouver.
dailyhive.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"A 2018 pilot project in Washington, D.C. saw dramatic reductions in conflicts, including a 97 per cent decrease in vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts and a 92 per cent drop in failures to yield to pedestrians."
🙌🙌
🙌🙌
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
The streetscape where this happened. No sidewalks, the only bit of gravel space beside the road used for more parking (despite massive driveways and garages at each house). This is a half block from a daycare and elementary school.
December 7, 2025 at 10:22 PM
The streetscape where this happened. No sidewalks, the only bit of gravel space beside the road used for more parking (despite massive driveways and garages at each house). This is a half block from a daycare and elementary school.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
July 2024 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the summer weather."
December 2025 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the winter weather."
I don't know maybe our road design just isn't safe?
December 2025 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the winter weather."
I don't know maybe our road design just isn't safe?
December 9, 2025 at 1:15 AM
July 2024 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the summer weather."
December 2025 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the winter weather."
I don't know maybe our road design just isn't safe?
December 2025 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the winter weather."
I don't know maybe our road design just isn't safe?
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
December 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Of all the things the US has chosen to do differently than the rest of the world, I think this may be the dumbest. You'd have trouble finding any urban neighborhood in Europe or Latin America without a plaza. It's just so basic. And yet the US has virtually none! No public space, no public.
Every neighborhood needs a leafy pedestrian plaza—a place to meet friends, grab a bite, or just relax.
December 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Of all the things the US has chosen to do differently than the rest of the world, I think this may be the dumbest. You'd have trouble finding any urban neighborhood in Europe or Latin America without a plaza. It's just so basic. And yet the US has virtually none! No public space, no public.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Looks like City of Toronto and TTC will put in more aggressive signal priority to speed up the trip by 10 min. Great. Now do it citywide. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Finch West LRT to be 10 minutes faster by spring, TTC says | CBC News
The newly opened Finch West LRT is moving at an expected pace despite complaints from riders, according to transit officials, but some experts say changes to traffic signals could help it move faster.
www.cbc.ca
December 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Looks like City of Toronto and TTC will put in more aggressive signal priority to speed up the trip by 10 min. Great. Now do it citywide. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Montreal’s BIXI bike share is closing in on another record year, likely reaching 14.5 million trips in 2025.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
December 9, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Montreal’s BIXI bike share is closing in on another record year, likely reaching 14.5 million trips in 2025.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Stoked to have a new interview with Katie Wilson (no relation), Seattle's new mayor, Transit Riders Union co-founder, and living proof that bold vision for (and wonky obsession with) transportation reform can win elections.
'I'm Always on the Bus': How Transit Advocacy Helped Katie Wilson Become Seattle's Next Mayor — Streetsblog USA
"I really think that our public transit system is such a big part of people's daily experience of government," says the incoming mayor of the Emerald City.
usa.streetsblog.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Stoked to have a new interview with Katie Wilson (no relation), Seattle's new mayor, Transit Riders Union co-founder, and living proof that bold vision for (and wonky obsession with) transportation reform can win elections.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Since Transit Signal Priority is a hot topic right now, here is a reminder of why. In a since deleted Q&A post from Metrolinx, they outline that the TTC essentially kneecapped transit priority on the Finch LRT and Eglinton LRT. We need to push Toronto to do better!
December 9, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Since Transit Signal Priority is a hot topic right now, here is a reminder of why. In a since deleted Q&A post from Metrolinx, they outline that the TTC essentially kneecapped transit priority on the Finch LRT and Eglinton LRT. We need to push Toronto to do better!
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Five roads in New York City made INRIX’s list of the top 25 busiest corridors in 2024, but only one remained on this year’s list. “The congestion pricing program, no doubt, played a role,” Pishue said.
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/inrix-t...
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/inrix-t...
Traffic congestion grew this year in U.S. cities, but NYC saw no increase
Baltimore and Philadelphia saw the largest increases in traffic delays. Congestion pricing may have helped keep New York City traffic in check.
www.smartcitiesdive.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Five roads in New York City made INRIX’s list of the top 25 busiest corridors in 2024, but only one remained on this year’s list. “The congestion pricing program, no doubt, played a role,” Pishue said.
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/inrix-t...
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/inrix-t...
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
December 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Winter is one of the best times to educate people about car-centric policies because when it's snowy you can clearly see how little our cities care about anyone not traveling in a car. Even if you're not some activist, someone walking in winter can appreciate how much an unplowed sidewalk sucks.
This was a choice, not by the person walking but by the decision makers who refuse to prioritize them.
Photo Credit: D_S_J_
Photo Credit: D_S_J_
December 8, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Winter is one of the best times to educate people about car-centric policies because when it's snowy you can clearly see how little our cities care about anyone not traveling in a car. Even if you're not some activist, someone walking in winter can appreciate how much an unplowed sidewalk sucks.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
"Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” — John F. Kennedy Jr.
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” — Robert F. Kennedy Sr.
"Mommy milky." — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” — Robert F. Kennedy Sr.
"Mommy milky." — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
RFK Jr: "All of the ingenuity of corporate America has not produced an infant formula that is superior in nutrition and all the qualities that we want to the infant formula that God made, which is the infant formula in a mother's breast."
December 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
"Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” — John F. Kennedy Jr.
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” — Robert F. Kennedy Sr.
"Mommy milky." — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” — Robert F. Kennedy Sr.
"Mommy milky." — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
sitting next to a sweaty guy on a plane who just finished a workout at terminal 8 while wearing a shirt, tie, and suit
Duffy on what he's doing to improve the airport experience for travelers: "Maybe I want a workout area where people might get some blood flowing doing some pull ups or step ups in the airport."
December 8, 2025 at 10:26 PM
sitting next to a sweaty guy on a plane who just finished a workout at terminal 8 while wearing a shirt, tie, and suit
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
True Story: On this guy's watch a plane trying to land at the airport in DC collided with a helicopter and 67 people lost their lives.
Duffy on what he's doing to improve the airport experience for travelers: "Maybe I want a workout area where people might get some blood flowing doing some pull ups or step ups in the airport."
December 8, 2025 at 10:54 PM
True Story: On this guy's watch a plane trying to land at the airport in DC collided with a helicopter and 67 people lost their lives.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
There seems to be a very clear trend in anglophone countries of yes, occasionally getting round to building tram infrastructure in our cities, but forgetting the most crucial part: giving it priority over cars.
That's how you get stuff like this.
That's how you get stuff like this.
Opening of Finch West LRT was very exciting. I love seeing the new infra, beautiful trains & people excited to ride! But we're clearly not done yet. Scheduled travel time of 46 minutes & often over 50 mins in reality just isn't okay when the local bus was scheduled at 38 off-peak and 53 at peak. 1/
December 8, 2025 at 10:11 PM
There seems to be a very clear trend in anglophone countries of yes, occasionally getting round to building tram infrastructure in our cities, but forgetting the most crucial part: giving it priority over cars.
That's how you get stuff like this.
That's how you get stuff like this.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
FINALLY a significant parking reform in Australia! "Apartments in areas across the state considered to be serviced by high-frequency public transport will no longer have a minimum parking requirement." cc @parkingreform.org
“It said that up to 40 per cent of residential car parks in inner #Melbourne were empty and that it cost developers $70,000 per home to provide parking under current requirements."
Victoria Scraps ‘Outdated’ Car Space Rules for New Projects
Rules that cost developers $70,000 per home have been scrapped as the government eases parking requirements near public transport…
www.theurbandeveloper.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:24 AM
FINALLY a significant parking reform in Australia! "Apartments in areas across the state considered to be serviced by high-frequency public transport will no longer have a minimum parking requirement." cc @parkingreform.org
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
What a lede on this story: Man who complained about narrowing a road in order to protect pedestrians, so much that the city eventually reversed the change, then kills a woman on that very road with his car www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...
America’s plan to protect pedestrians failed. A young woman’s death reveals why.
U.S. officials adopted Europe's Vision Zero initiative, but many cities have seen an increase in pedestrian fatalities despite efforts to improve road safety.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:55 PM
What a lede on this story: Man who complained about narrowing a road in order to protect pedestrians, so much that the city eventually reversed the change, then kills a woman on that very road with his car www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Kelly: He runs around on stage talking about lethality and the warrior ethos.. That’s not the message that should be coming from the Secretary of Defense… He runs around on a stage like he’s a 12 year old playing army. It’s embarrassing.
December 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Kelly: He runs around on stage talking about lethality and the warrior ethos.. That’s not the message that should be coming from the Secretary of Defense… He runs around on a stage like he’s a 12 year old playing army. It’s embarrassing.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Shawn is of course right.
And I hate this dumbass stunt so much. Nobody is ever bringing home 40 sheets of plywood in their personal vehicle. This is a fantasy for people who have never dealt with construction.
90% of things you’d buy for a house renovation fit comfortably in that car.
And I hate this dumbass stunt so much. Nobody is ever bringing home 40 sheets of plywood in their personal vehicle. This is a fantasy for people who have never dealt with construction.
90% of things you’d buy for a house renovation fit comfortably in that car.
Let’s talk about the size of trucks & SUVs in the city. My column on the virtue & status signalling of vehicle bloat.
Shawn Micallef: This truck ad shows why Toronto needs smaller vehicles — if only the carmakers wanted to sell them
A car comically overloaded with plywood? It’s a good ad for a pickup — but also a sign of the incredible amount of money, weight and energy being wasted on
www.thestar.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Shawn is of course right.
And I hate this dumbass stunt so much. Nobody is ever bringing home 40 sheets of plywood in their personal vehicle. This is a fantasy for people who have never dealt with construction.
90% of things you’d buy for a house renovation fit comfortably in that car.
And I hate this dumbass stunt so much. Nobody is ever bringing home 40 sheets of plywood in their personal vehicle. This is a fantasy for people who have never dealt with construction.
90% of things you’d buy for a house renovation fit comfortably in that car.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
This gets at the fundamentally flawed approach of the federal government: they are trying to find a policy solution to an identity problem.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
Danielle Smith gets booed at UCP convention after mentioning working with Canada
November 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This gets at the fundamentally flawed approach of the federal government: they are trying to find a policy solution to an identity problem.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
Extortion much?
BREAKING: Northwestern University has agreed to pay the U.S. Treasury $75 million, over the course of three years as part of an agreement with the federal government to restore funding and end investigations into the university
Full statement from NU below:
Full statement from NU below:
November 29, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Extortion much?