Robert Zaichkowski
@rzaichkowski.bsky.social
Accountant, Road Safety Advocate, Bike Blogger & Founder of the Toronto Open Streets Campaign. #BikeTO #BikeSky #TOpoli #VisionZero 🚲
Blog = www.twowheeledpolitics.ca
Open Streets Petition = tinyurl.com/OpenStreetsPetitionTO
Blog = www.twowheeledpolitics.ca
Open Streets Petition = tinyurl.com/OpenStreetsPetitionTO
Pinned
ACTION ALERT – Sign & Share Toronto’s Open Streets Petition!
A blog about cycling and political advocacy based in Toronto, Canada. (#BikeTO)
www.twowheeledpolitics.ca
Happy Friday, Toronto! I just launched a petition calling on Mayor Olivia Chow & Toronto City Council to bring back open streets programs such as #ActiveTO and #OpenStreetsTO by 2026. You can read the call to action on my blog. #BikeTO #WalkTO #TOpoli www.twowheeledpolitics.ca/2025/05/acti... (1/3)
Pro #TOpoli tip. Toronto City Council must ALWAYS do the opposite of what Daniel Tate of the ridiculously named IntegrityTO calls for; meaning they need to support neighbourhood retail in this case. The lame use of AI is icing on the cake.
The folks at IntegrityTO have finally weighed in on neighbourhood retail with AI generated scenes of creepy faceless loiterers congregating outside a 7-11…
Mind you the recommendation (that didn’t make it past committee) was for *corner lots*. They can’t even prompt right.
Mind you the recommendation (that didn’t make it past committee) was for *corner lots*. They can’t even prompt right.
November 11, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Pro #TOpoli tip. Toronto City Council must ALWAYS do the opposite of what Daniel Tate of the ridiculously named IntegrityTO calls for; meaning they need to support neighbourhood retail in this case. The lame use of AI is icing on the cake.
Just sent my note to City Council urging them to not appeal the 155 Saint Dennis Drive decision. The proposal would help future proof development of Phase 3 of the East Don Trail and provide housing near transit per @metroscapes.ca. #BikeTO #WalkTO #TTC #TOpoli secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
November 11, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Just sent my note to City Council urging them to not appeal the 155 Saint Dennis Drive decision. The proposal would help future proof development of Phase 3 of the East Don Trail and provide housing near transit per @metroscapes.ca. #BikeTO #WalkTO #TTC #TOpoli secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
John Tory was not a very good mayor in Toronto. He benefited from friendly media, no vocal critic, and a good local economy. Many of his decisions and missed opportunities have made life in the Toronto harder than it needed to be. It's not finger-pointing to flag it now; it's how we learn.
Matt Elliott: Why Olivia Chow’s council allies are attacking John Tory’s World Cup bid – and not the scandal that caused him to quit
Deals signed during John Tory’s reign are a frequent target of Mayor Olivia Chow’s allies on city council.
www.thestar.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
John Tory was not a very good mayor in Toronto. He benefited from friendly media, no vocal critic, and a good local economy. Many of his decisions and missed opportunities have made life in the Toronto harder than it needed to be. It's not finger-pointing to flag it now; it's how we learn.
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
Politicians like Ford love TALKING about "affordability," but then undermine the most affordable options, including cycling + mass transit. #biketo
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Doug Ford is making my life in Toronto — and that of many other young adults — increasingly difficult
Clearly, many Torontonians want to travel without a car. Why then is Ford pushing to degrade transit development, which directly and negatively impacts the mobility and autonomy of many Toronto
www.thestar.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Politicians like Ford love TALKING about "affordability," but then undermine the most affordable options, including cycling + mass transit. #biketo
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
While certain resident associations have been actively campaigning against allowing neighbourhood retail in Toronto, it's unfortunate how we don't have any organized efforts in support aside from the petition @anotherglassbox.bsky.social started. #TOpoli www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
Residents’ associations rally ahead of neighbourhood retail vote
As the issue of corner stores on residential streets heads to Toronto city council this week, Mayor Olivia Chow says she wants to cut 'red tape' for those businesses
www.torontotoday.ca
November 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
While certain resident associations have been actively campaigning against allowing neighbourhood retail in Toronto, it's unfortunate how we don't have any organized efforts in support aside from the petition @anotherglassbox.bsky.social started. #TOpoli www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
This latest Not Just Bikes clip is an hour and a half cringe-a-thon about John Forester's discredited vehicular cycling rhetoric! It also mentioned how California considered protected intersections in the 1970's before Forester killed the idea. #BikeTO #BikeSky www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRPd...
This is Why Cycling is Dangerous in America
YouTube video by Not Just Bikes
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:20 AM
This latest Not Just Bikes clip is an hour and a half cringe-a-thon about John Forester's discredited vehicular cycling rhetoric! It also mentioned how California considered protected intersections in the 1970's before Forester killed the idea. #BikeTO #BikeSky www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRPd...
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
How Toronto killed Sesame Street. My column on the retreat from allowing shops in neighbourhoods
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Shawn Micallef: How Toronto killed ‘Sesame Street’ with its heritage rules — and how we can bring it back
In the face of opposition from even small groups, the city ends up watering down even the best ideas.
www.thestar.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
How Toronto killed Sesame Street. My column on the retreat from allowing shops in neighbourhoods
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Hey #BikeTO! @cycletoronto.bsky.social will be hosting a Bill 60 protest ride this Thursday. Leave 8 AM at Bloor & Spadina. #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero www.cycleto.ca/bill_60_prot...
Bill 60 Protest Ride
www.cycleto.ca
November 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Hey #BikeTO! @cycletoronto.bsky.social will be hosting a Bill 60 protest ride this Thursday. Leave 8 AM at Bloor & Spadina. #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero www.cycleto.ca/bill_60_prot...
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
Mayor Chow posted a video about corner stores!
November 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Mayor Chow posted a video about corner stores!
Thanks for sharing the open streets petition, Nikhil! For those of you who haven't already done so, please join the almost 800 people who have signed so far and share widely! #BikeTO #WalkTO #ActiveTO #OpenStreetsTO #TOpoli
November 8, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Thanks for sharing the open streets petition, Nikhil! For those of you who haven't already done so, please join the almost 800 people who have signed so far and share widely! #BikeTO #WalkTO #ActiveTO #OpenStreetsTO #TOpoli
What a soulless idea from Bradford; calling for evicting encampments within 48 hours near schools! With Bad Badford being too polite to describe him, maybe we should start calling him Ass Assford? #shame #TOpoli www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
Bradford pitches 48-hour encampment clearing deadline near schools, daycares, playgrounds
The councillor’s motion challenges Olivia Chow’s existing encampment clearing policies, while Toronto’s shelter system turns away hundreds every night
www.torontotoday.ca
November 7, 2025 at 11:48 PM
What a soulless idea from Bradford; calling for evicting encampments within 48 hours near schools! With Bad Badford being too polite to describe him, maybe we should start calling him Ass Assford? #shame #TOpoli www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
100% this! I'm going to start calling those two-wheeled electric vehicles with throttles that don't require pedalling "e-motos" too. Hopefully we can shift the narrative => e-bikes are NOT a problem in Toronto's bike lanes, e-motos are the problem. #BikeTO #bikesky
@peopleforbikes.bsky.social looks at the problem of "e-motos" that are confused with e-bikes. There is confusion everywhere in the e-bike world; it's time to clarify and simplify the rules and get the too-big too-fast two-wheeled things out of the bike lanes.
When it comes to e-bikes, we need "clear, simple, straightforward rules that a nine-year-old can explain."
People for Bikes has recommendations for dealing with the confusion between "e-motos" and e-bikes. I have some too.
lloydalter.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
Dear #BikeTO in case you need a reason to smile 😊 this morning...a friend saw this in a Toronto neighbourhood 🚲 💕 cc. @cycletoronto.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Dear #BikeTO in case you need a reason to smile 😊 this morning...a friend saw this in a Toronto neighbourhood 🚲 💕 cc. @cycletoronto.bsky.social
Just blocked B'nai B'rith's Bluesky account over this Zionist group's continued denial of the fact that genocide is being committed in Gaza & encourage others to block them too. Mayor Olivia Chow's recent remarks about Gaza are based on international experts & must be encouraged. #TOpoli #cdnpoli
November 7, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
A month ago, Ontario’s Auditor General told Doug Ford’s government to create a public, accountable climate plan with emissions-reduction targets — as courts have also ordered.
Today, the government’s fall economic statement eliminates all legal obligation to do so. #onpoli
Today, the government’s fall economic statement eliminates all legal obligation to do so. #onpoli
November 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
A month ago, Ontario’s Auditor General told Doug Ford’s government to create a public, accountable climate plan with emissions-reduction targets — as courts have also ordered.
Today, the government’s fall economic statement eliminates all legal obligation to do so. #onpoli
Today, the government’s fall economic statement eliminates all legal obligation to do so. #onpoli
Given yesterday's announcement that Bill 60 will skip the committee stage, my latest blog post discusses the bill and some ways to respond including calling for a provincial trails plan. #BikeTO #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero www.twowheeledpolitics.ca/2025/11/more...
More Provincial Interference with Bill 60
A blog about cycling and political advocacy based in Toronto, Canada. (#BikeTO)
www.twowheeledpolitics.ca
November 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Given yesterday's announcement that Bill 60 will skip the committee stage, my latest blog post discusses the bill and some ways to respond including calling for a provincial trails plan. #BikeTO #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero www.twowheeledpolitics.ca/2025/11/more...
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
For Progress Toronto:
- Open Streets
- Streetcars that work
- A coffee shop on every corner
I don’t think it’s about universal appeal, we have a lot of carservatives, but they weren’t going to vote for Olivia Chow anyways.
- Open Streets
- Streetcars that work
- A coffee shop on every corner
I don’t think it’s about universal appeal, we have a lot of carservatives, but they weren’t going to vote for Olivia Chow anyways.
Thought experiment time, Ontario: Part of Zohran Mamdani's success was relentless message discipline with his 3 key ideas. If you could only pick 3 *big*, *bold* ideas for a progressive party in Ontario that would appeal to the *whole* population, what would they be? Quote post with ideas!
November 6, 2025 at 3:57 AM
For Progress Toronto:
- Open Streets
- Streetcars that work
- A coffee shop on every corner
I don’t think it’s about universal appeal, we have a lot of carservatives, but they weren’t going to vote for Olivia Chow anyways.
- Open Streets
- Streetcars that work
- A coffee shop on every corner
I don’t think it’s about universal appeal, we have a lot of carservatives, but they weren’t going to vote for Olivia Chow anyways.
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
Gotta love this 🙆♀️
Two female City Mayors honouring their World Series bet..🚴♀️
#OliviaChow #Toronto #KarenBass #LA
Two female City Mayors honouring their World Series bet..🚴♀️
#OliviaChow #Toronto #KarenBass #LA
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is turning heads after cycling around the city in an L.A. Dodgers Jersey, paying off a bet with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. #OliviaChow #Toronto
nowtoronto.com/news/olivia-...
nowtoronto.com/news/olivia-...
Olivia Chow cycles through Toronto in Dodgers jersey after losing World Series bet to L.A. mayor - NOW Toronto
Olivia Chow is turning heads after cycling around the city in an L.A. Dodgers Jersey, paying off a bet with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.
nowtoronto.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Gotta love this 🙆♀️
Two female City Mayors honouring their World Series bet..🚴♀️
#OliviaChow #Toronto #KarenBass #LA
Two female City Mayors honouring their World Series bet..🚴♀️
#OliviaChow #Toronto #KarenBass #LA
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
Ford's instincts are anti-democratic. We've seen it again and again but voters have not understood -- or maybe not cared enough to stop him.
#OnPoli
#OnPoli
NEW: The Ford government is moving to limit debate and public hearings on several pieces of legislation, including a bill which will make it easier for Queen’s Park to sideline trustees and take control of school boards. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151241...
globalnews.ca/news/1151241...
Ford government bypassing debate on bill to more easily takeover school boards | Globalnews.ca
A motion from House Leader Steve Clark looks to speed several bills through the legislative process after the government shortened the fall sitting by more than a month.
globalnews.ca
November 5, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Ford's instincts are anti-democratic. We've seen it again and again but voters have not understood -- or maybe not cared enough to stop him.
#OnPoli
#OnPoli
Per today's Queen's Park agenda, the Ford government will skip the committee stage for Bill 60 which will ban removing motor vehicle lanes for bike lanes or any other prescribed purpose. Just as they have done with speed cameras. #shame #BikeTO #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero www.ola.org/en/legislati...
Orders and Notices 2025-Nov-05 | Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Orders & Notices - 2025-11-05 - Parliament 44 Session 1 of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
www.ola.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Per today's Queen's Park agenda, the Ford government will skip the committee stage for Bill 60 which will ban removing motor vehicle lanes for bike lanes or any other prescribed purpose. Just as they have done with speed cameras. #shame #BikeTO #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero www.ola.org/en/legislati...
A public consultation for the Peanut Streets Plan is happening TONIGHT (6-8 PM) at Georges Vanier Secondary School (3000 Don Mills Road East). If you can't make it, you can submit your feedback until Wednesday, November 19. #BikeTO #WalkTO #TOpoli #VisionZero www.toronto.ca/community-pe...
The Peanut Streets Plan
翻译成中文 ترجمه به فارسی Attend the public drop-in event on Wednesday, November 5 and complete the survey by November 19. View meeting materials in Public Consultation tab below. In consultation with th...
www.toronto.ca
November 5, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A public consultation for the Peanut Streets Plan is happening TONIGHT (6-8 PM) at Georges Vanier Secondary School (3000 Don Mills Road East). If you can't make it, you can submit your feedback until Wednesday, November 19. #BikeTO #WalkTO #TOpoli #VisionZero www.toronto.ca/community-pe...
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
I wrote an op-ed on what I think about the fight for local neighbourhood retail (and the grousing about Badiali's) means for the urban vision of Toronto. Gift link here: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
When even the humble corner store is impossible to open in Toronto, it’s a sign of something deeply wrong
We need to accept that Toronto is now a big city.
www.thestar.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I wrote an op-ed on what I think about the fight for local neighbourhood retail (and the grousing about Badiali's) means for the urban vision of Toronto. Gift link here: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Robert Zaichkowski
On the weekend, I penned a Letter to the Editor of the Hamilton Spectator, which made it into today’s issue of the paper. I address the juxtaposition of the policies of the Progressive Conservative government and conservative values.
#onpoli #safestreets #speedcameras #lettertotheeditor
#onpoli #safestreets #speedcameras #lettertotheeditor
November 5, 2025 at 1:19 PM
On the weekend, I penned a Letter to the Editor of the Hamilton Spectator, which made it into today’s issue of the paper. I address the juxtaposition of the policies of the Progressive Conservative government and conservative values.
#onpoli #safestreets #speedcameras #lettertotheeditor
#onpoli #safestreets #speedcameras #lettertotheeditor