Sara F.L. Kirk
@sflkirk.bsky.social
Health Promotion Prof @dalhousie.bsky.social. Posting mainly about pop health, climate anxiety & advocacy for safe streets. UK export now physically located in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Canada. Volunteer board member of @velocanadabikes.bsky.social. She/her.
Pinned
Sara F.L. Kirk
@sflkirk.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Thought I'd better crack on with a pinned intro. I'm an applied health researcher, using primarily qualitative methods & focus on how policies & environments shape health behaviours like healthy eating & active living. I ❤️ bikes & volunteer with Velo Canada Bikes to promote a #BikeFriendlyCanada 🚲
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Pretty wild news to wake up to. He’s already pushed at rule of law in his own country until it means absolutely nothing. Will he get away with doing the same on a global scale?
January 3, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Pretty wild news to wake up to. He’s already pushed at rule of law in his own country until it means absolutely nothing. Will he get away with doing the same on a global scale?
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Trump's regime has murdered people in the water. He has seized ships on the high seas. He has invaded a country and kidnapped their leader.
All bets are off with the United States.
Canada needs to build alliances with Europe and to be ready on the home front.
All bets are off with the United States.
Canada needs to build alliances with Europe and to be ready on the home front.
January 3, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Trump's regime has murdered people in the water. He has seized ships on the high seas. He has invaded a country and kidnapped their leader.
All bets are off with the United States.
Canada needs to build alliances with Europe and to be ready on the home front.
All bets are off with the United States.
Canada needs to build alliances with Europe and to be ready on the home front.
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Halifax Regional Police, Halifax Public Libraries are still on X.
It's well past time for Canadian government officials to get off of X, @jameswsthomson.com writes. This latest — disgusting — incident is just one more reason.
Canadian government officials, what are you still doing on X in 2026?
The platform's own chatbot started posting sexualized material of children and other people who couldn't consent. With no moral bottom in sight, it's well past time our officials found other ways to c...
www.nationalobserver.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Halifax Regional Police, Halifax Public Libraries are still on X.
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
. @lizrenzetti.bsky.social gives the @halifaxexaminer.ca a shout-out, here:
Elizabeth Renzetti: Sick of false information and AI nonsense? I’ve got a New Year’s resolution for you
Canadians should rely on established sources of news and find fresh ones, too. There’s never been a better time to seek out proper journalism.
www.thestar.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:25 PM
. @lizrenzetti.bsky.social gives the @halifaxexaminer.ca a shout-out, here:
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Fillmore talks of Provincial and Federal support for transport, but focuses on ferries instead of the multiple benefits in the IMP of supporting BRT, cycling and ferries together.
Unlike ferries, BRT services will stop off, connect with local services and carry far far more overall passengers
Unlike ferries, BRT services will stop off, connect with local services and carry far far more overall passengers
He’s given enough of these interviews now that you would think he’d have better answers to questions than “we need more ferries, because the harbour doesn’t have potholes”
‘Have to do some cutting’: Halifax mayor hopes to lower tax increase during budget talks
Heading into 2026, Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore says he wants to bring down a proposed 10.5 per cent property tax in the municipality’s 2026-2027 budget.
www.ctvnews.ca
January 3, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Fillmore talks of Provincial and Federal support for transport, but focuses on ferries instead of the multiple benefits in the IMP of supporting BRT, cycling and ferries together.
Unlike ferries, BRT services will stop off, connect with local services and carry far far more overall passengers
Unlike ferries, BRT services will stop off, connect with local services and carry far far more overall passengers
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
"“When we get people onto a workable transit system instead of their cars, that will change the dynamics of congestion in our city"
Most here are so unused to transit it will take more than a workable transit system to get them out of cars. BRT is part of that, focusing on road space reallocation
Most here are so unused to transit it will take more than a workable transit system to get them out of cars. BRT is part of that, focusing on road space reallocation
January 3, 2026 at 12:44 PM
"“When we get people onto a workable transit system instead of their cars, that will change the dynamics of congestion in our city"
Most here are so unused to transit it will take more than a workable transit system to get them out of cars. BRT is part of that, focusing on road space reallocation
Most here are so unused to transit it will take more than a workable transit system to get them out of cars. BRT is part of that, focusing on road space reallocation
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
PSA for #BikeHfx
I have 311’d the Barrington & Devonshire lanes.
Please 311 others that haven’t been treated, as it seems like the city doesn’t think a rain event followed by freezing temperatures warrants salt.
I have 311’d the Barrington & Devonshire lanes.
Please 311 others that haven’t been treated, as it seems like the city doesn’t think a rain event followed by freezing temperatures warrants salt.
Use extreme caution! Everything treated yesterday (e.g., Barrington greenway) is clear, everything not treated (e.g., Devonshire & Barrington bike lanes) are an icy mess because of freeze-thaw.
January 3, 2026 at 1:08 PM
PSA for #BikeHfx
I have 311’d the Barrington & Devonshire lanes.
Please 311 others that haven’t been treated, as it seems like the city doesn’t think a rain event followed by freezing temperatures warrants salt.
I have 311’d the Barrington & Devonshire lanes.
Please 311 others that haven’t been treated, as it seems like the city doesn’t think a rain event followed by freezing temperatures warrants salt.
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
#hfxws many of the Halifax common pathways are ice and snow covered. Ditto for the South Park bike lane.
The westbound Donham diverter (Harvard & Allan) is partially blocked by a mass of frozen leaves and slush.
Passable with caution (and winter tires) out there today #BikeHfx!
The westbound Donham diverter (Harvard & Allan) is partially blocked by a mass of frozen leaves and slush.
Passable with caution (and winter tires) out there today #BikeHfx!
January 3, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Request to propose a budget to develop a specific vulnerable road user safety action plan, based upon Vision Zero methodology. Sent to all councillors, please feel free to use any content and write to your own
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
A decisive reaction to hugely disproportionate vulnerable road user crashes is essential for 2026
Dear Councillors, Mayor, Re: A decisive reaction to hugely disproportionate vulnerable road user crashes is essential in 2026. Ask: Councillors must approve funding for 2026/27 budget year to develop ...
docs.google.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Request to propose a budget to develop a specific vulnerable road user safety action plan, based upon Vision Zero methodology. Sent to all councillors, please feel free to use any content and write to your own
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Looking for a meaningful way to start the new year? 🎉
Sign up for our free e-newsletter and join a growing community dedicated to protecting Mi’kma’ki / Nova Scotia and beyond.
From climate action to coastal protection, we’ll keep you informed and inspired.
✅ Sign up now at ecologyaction.ca/enews
Sign up for our free e-newsletter and join a growing community dedicated to protecting Mi’kma’ki / Nova Scotia and beyond.
From climate action to coastal protection, we’ll keep you informed and inspired.
✅ Sign up now at ecologyaction.ca/enews
January 2, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Looking for a meaningful way to start the new year? 🎉
Sign up for our free e-newsletter and join a growing community dedicated to protecting Mi’kma’ki / Nova Scotia and beyond.
From climate action to coastal protection, we’ll keep you informed and inspired.
✅ Sign up now at ecologyaction.ca/enews
Sign up for our free e-newsletter and join a growing community dedicated to protecting Mi’kma’ki / Nova Scotia and beyond.
From climate action to coastal protection, we’ll keep you informed and inspired.
✅ Sign up now at ecologyaction.ca/enews
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Remembering Red Herring Co-op Books in Halifax
By Antonia Zwissler
By Antonia Zwissler
Remembering Red Herring Co-op Books in Halifax - Halifax Examiner
As robots write articles and premiers ban books, it is as good a time as any to look back at the exploits of a very human bookstore.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
January 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Remembering Red Herring Co-op Books in Halifax
By Antonia Zwissler
By Antonia Zwissler
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
New episode! Why Active Outdoor Play Matters with our very own Dr. Louise de Lannoy is now live. 🎧
We dive into why active, messy, even “risky” outdoor play is essential for kids’ resilience, learning, and well-being. ⬇
www.buzzsprout.com/1702648/epis...
We dive into why active, messy, even “risky” outdoor play is essential for kids’ resilience, learning, and well-being. ⬇
www.buzzsprout.com/1702648/epis...
Why Active Outdoor Play Matters: A Conversation with Dr. Louise de Lannoy - Teach Outdoors
Today I’m chatting with Dr. Louise de Lannoy from Outdoor Play Canada—someone I’ve admired for years. I first heard Louise speak at Take Me Outside in Banff and later at the Breath of Fresh Air Summit...
www.buzzsprout.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:51 PM
New episode! Why Active Outdoor Play Matters with our very own Dr. Louise de Lannoy is now live. 🎧
We dive into why active, messy, even “risky” outdoor play is essential for kids’ resilience, learning, and well-being. ⬇
www.buzzsprout.com/1702648/epis...
We dive into why active, messy, even “risky” outdoor play is essential for kids’ resilience, learning, and well-being. ⬇
www.buzzsprout.com/1702648/epis...
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
The richest Canadian CEOs now make 248 times more than the average worker wage in Canada. The @policyalternatives.ca's new CEO Pay report shows how the gulf between the rich and the rest of us keeps growing and what to do about it. @davidmaccdn.bsky.social
www.policyalternatives.ca
January 2, 2026 at 12:01 PM
The richest Canadian CEOs now make 248 times more than the average worker wage in Canada. The @policyalternatives.ca's new CEO Pay report shows how the gulf between the rich and the rest of us keeps growing and what to do about it. @davidmaccdn.bsky.social
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Is marketing the lives of vulnerable people the mission of Souls Harbour?
By @suzannerent.bsky.social
By @suzannerent.bsky.social
Is marketing the lives of vulnerable people the mission of Souls Harbour? - Halifax Examiner
As the gospel says, "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret."
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
January 2, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Is marketing the lives of vulnerable people the mission of Souls Harbour?
By @suzannerent.bsky.social
By @suzannerent.bsky.social
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
I wrote a commentary on Souls Harbour inviting media to its dinners and to interview and photograph its clients. I quote the gospel, too.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/commentary/i...
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/commentary/i...
Is marketing the lives of vulnerable people the mission of Souls Harbour? - Halifax Examiner
As the gospel says, "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret."
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
January 2, 2026 at 1:23 PM
I wrote a commentary on Souls Harbour inviting media to its dinners and to interview and photograph its clients. I quote the gospel, too.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/commentary/i...
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/commentary/i...
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
“I’ve read every study and report I could find that looked specifically at the economics of bike lanes since 1984.”
“The results show that making streets friendlier for bikes, and sidewalks friendlier for pedestrians, is actually good for business.“
“The results show that making streets friendlier for bikes, and sidewalks friendlier for pedestrians, is actually good for business.“
“Survey after survey has shown that business owners overestimate how many customers drive to their stores vs walking or biking. In a 2012 Los Angeles study, more than half of the store owners on the bike-laned part of the boulevard thought most of their customers drove. The actual number was 15%.”
I read all the studies on the economic impact of bike lanes. Here's what I learned.
Research proves that bike lanes are good for business. So why do so many stores and restaurants still oppose them?
www.businessinsider.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:14 AM
“I’ve read every study and report I could find that looked specifically at the economics of bike lanes since 1984.”
“The results show that making streets friendlier for bikes, and sidewalks friendlier for pedestrians, is actually good for business.“
“The results show that making streets friendlier for bikes, and sidewalks friendlier for pedestrians, is actually good for business.“
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Very cool to see numbers consistently trending up for the established counters like SP here and Vernon!
Related, if you want to "push back" against Austerity Andy and tell Halifax Council you want more investment in cycling (and other needed services), you can do that on Jan 27, 6 pm, City Hall
Related, if you want to "push back" against Austerity Andy and tell Halifax Council you want more investment in cycling (and other needed services), you can do that on Jan 27, 6 pm, City Hall
Previous year counts for South Park:
2025: 117,087
2024: 108,570
2023: 95,822
2022: 70,617
2021: 97,198
2020: 30,423
2019: 2,649
2025: 117,087
2024: 108,570
2023: 95,822
2022: 70,617
2021: 97,198
2020: 30,423
2019: 2,649
January 1, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Very cool to see numbers consistently trending up for the established counters like SP here and Vernon!
Related, if you want to "push back" against Austerity Andy and tell Halifax Council you want more investment in cycling (and other needed services), you can do that on Jan 27, 6 pm, City Hall
Related, if you want to "push back" against Austerity Andy and tell Halifax Council you want more investment in cycling (and other needed services), you can do that on Jan 27, 6 pm, City Hall
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
this data is very, extremely, bad.
For comparison, Ottawa, with double the population, reported 123 cyclist crashes for all of 2024, 185 pedestrian
bsky.app/profile/safe...
For comparison, Ottawa, with double the population, reported 123 cyclist crashes for all of 2024, 185 pedestrian
bsky.app/profile/safe...
Our per capita pedestrian crash rate is almost double that of Ottawa's, where they also have very high rates of people cycling and walking. Far higher also for cyclists. Email to our Transportation Standing Committee demanding decisive action and changes.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
A decisive reaction to hugely disproportionate vulnerable road user crashes is essential for 2026
Dear Councillor members of our Transportation Standing Committee, Re: A decisive reaction to hugely disproportionate vulnerable road user crashes is essential in 2026. Ask: Councillors must approve ...
docs.google.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:55 PM
this data is very, extremely, bad.
For comparison, Ottawa, with double the population, reported 123 cyclist crashes for all of 2024, 185 pedestrian
bsky.app/profile/safe...
For comparison, Ottawa, with double the population, reported 123 cyclist crashes for all of 2024, 185 pedestrian
bsky.app/profile/safe...
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Silicon Valley isn’t just polluting our cultural and information systems with AI slop and destroying the environment in the process.
They’re also poised to force consumer electronics to shoot up in price because they’re buying up so much hardware for data centers.
They’re also poised to force consumer electronics to shoot up in price because they’re buying up so much hardware for data centers.
Chip shortages threaten 20% rise in consumer electronics prices
Manufacturers and analysts warn AI data centre build-out is crowding out market for semiconductors
www.ft.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Silicon Valley isn’t just polluting our cultural and information systems with AI slop and destroying the environment in the process.
They’re also poised to force consumer electronics to shoot up in price because they’re buying up so much hardware for data centers.
They’re also poised to force consumer electronics to shoot up in price because they’re buying up so much hardware for data centers.
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
We deserve this too. We’re so used to being told to pull up our bootstraps by people who never bought their own boots for anything that we’ve come to accept that these ideas are too much to want.
Stable rent. Affordable necessities. Free childcare. Free busses. This is the bare minimum that people deserve and people really act like he has outlandish ideas.
January 1, 2026 at 9:15 PM
We deserve this too. We’re so used to being told to pull up our bootstraps by people who never bought their own boots for anything that we’ve come to accept that these ideas are too much to want.
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
“By staying authentic to a vision—to not dwell solely on the problems, but shine a light on the potential—the goal remains to help more cities not only survive, but thrive.”
Melissa reflects on an eventful first year as a solo entrepreneur, and anticipates a new year of authenticity: bit.ly/3LljcZE
Melissa reflects on an eventful first year as a solo entrepreneur, and anticipates a new year of authenticity: bit.ly/3LljcZE
January 1, 2026 at 1:42 PM
“By staying authentic to a vision—to not dwell solely on the problems, but shine a light on the potential—the goal remains to help more cities not only survive, but thrive.”
Melissa reflects on an eventful first year as a solo entrepreneur, and anticipates a new year of authenticity: bit.ly/3LljcZE
Melissa reflects on an eventful first year as a solo entrepreneur, and anticipates a new year of authenticity: bit.ly/3LljcZE
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
No one:
Absolutely no one:
Me: Halifax's Multi-Modal level of service framework is undermining both the IMP and Road Safety Framework and if it's not updated to reflect the new parking minimum changes Halifax is about to get a lot of staff reports saying we need more automotive infrastructure.
Absolutely no one:
Me: Halifax's Multi-Modal level of service framework is undermining both the IMP and Road Safety Framework and if it's not updated to reflect the new parking minimum changes Halifax is about to get a lot of staff reports saying we need more automotive infrastructure.
January 1, 2026 at 1:58 PM
No one:
Absolutely no one:
Me: Halifax's Multi-Modal level of service framework is undermining both the IMP and Road Safety Framework and if it's not updated to reflect the new parking minimum changes Halifax is about to get a lot of staff reports saying we need more automotive infrastructure.
Absolutely no one:
Me: Halifax's Multi-Modal level of service framework is undermining both the IMP and Road Safety Framework and if it's not updated to reflect the new parking minimum changes Halifax is about to get a lot of staff reports saying we need more automotive infrastructure.
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
"the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth" nails is, exactly.
just so it's clear: this is the exact core function of genAI
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Bob and I were among the hundreds of researchers that were supposed to conduct the 6th U.S. National Climate Assessment. Now it looks like they're gonna produce it with a few people and Grok? Communities need rigorous and accurate information about climate change. This will put communities at risk.
January 1, 2026 at 3:17 PM
"the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth" nails is, exactly.
Happy 2026 everyone. The #ZeroVisionHFX year can be nicely summed up with this video from yesterday urbanists.video/w/kgar3G8w7W... #BikeHFX #SafeStreets #BigTruckEnergy
Flexipost flattening
A fitting end to an underwhelming 2025 on the mean streets of #ZeroVisionHFX. I happened to be walking by as the driver of a large truck pulled into the University Ave bike Lane and flattened the f...
urbanists.video
January 1, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Happy 2026 everyone. The #ZeroVisionHFX year can be nicely summed up with this video from yesterday urbanists.video/w/kgar3G8w7W... #BikeHFX #SafeStreets #BigTruckEnergy
Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk
Taking the button with you would enable you to cross any road at any point.
You'd be a God!
You'd be a God!
update: slowly crawling towards freedom, about 20 feet from where it should be. i’m showing remarkable restraint by not taking the button home
December 31, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Taking the button with you would enable you to cross any road at any point.
You'd be a God!
You'd be a God!