Tom Babin
shifter.info
Tom Babin
@shifter.info
Creator: Shifter | Urban cycling and bike commuting
Author: Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling
More here: linktr.ee/shifter
It can feel like a tough time for those who believe bikes are key to making our cities safer and better. So here are some lessons from a city that is bucking the trend
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This city is overcoming the backlash and building a biking city
YouTube video by Shifter
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November 6, 2025 at 4:29 PM
If you bike commute for fitness or straight-up transportation, my new video has some advice for you
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Testing two completely different ways of bike commuting
YouTube video by Shifter
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October 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
New video: The story of one boy has given me hope for getting more kids riding bikes to school again
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Why kids don't bike to school anymore (and 5 things that can fix it)
YouTube video by Shifter
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October 1, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I only met Dr. Darren Markland a few times, but he made an impact on me. This clip from coffee outside (with Darren giving away free coffee from his bike-mounted coffee-maker) offers a glimpse into how he viewed cycling and community as interwoven. I'm so sorry for his family and community.
September 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Millions of people around the world receive incentives to ride their bikes to work. So why aren't you?
New video about to drop: youtu.be/YbRV9q0ViCE
Here's what's stopping more bicycle commuting incentives
YouTube video by Shifter
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September 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Not the typical kind of video from me, but one that I loved making
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How I went from 10 km commuter to 300 km adventurer by bike
YouTube video by Shifter
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August 28, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Come for the Seattle beer, stay for the cross-border relationship building via bicycle.
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Join me in Seattle for a bike ride and party. #bike #cycling
YouTube video by Shifter
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August 19, 2025 at 4:18 PM
It's been around for decades, but the recent revival of @criticalmassyyc.bsky.social has helped me finally understand the importance of Critical Mass bike rides.
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I changed my mind about these bike protests
YouTube video by Shifter
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August 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Did you ever wonder what might happen if the debate over bike lanes came down to which side has better evidence? Well, in this case, it did.
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Who wins the argument about bike lanes when evidence is required? #bike #bikecommute
YouTube video by Shifter
youtube.com
August 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
New video about to drop: I nearly had my bike stolen, and it was a wake-up call for keeping my bike secure in ways that don't frighten my away from riding
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This bike theft trick almost got me. I had gotten complacent
YouTube video by Shifter
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July 30, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I finally looked into the risks of riding a bike through wildfire smoke, and, folks, it ain't good. (No, cartoonishly large heads are not one of the risks)
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What every cyclist needs to know about wildfire smoke
YouTube video by Shifter
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July 16, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Some simple tips to help make your bike ride better
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9 simple ways to make your bike commute more comfortable
YouTube video by Shifter
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July 3, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I’m so blown away by the size and fun vibes of Critical Mass rides these days. It gives me so much hope! @criticalmassyyc.bsky.social
June 28, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Having just spent a week emailing with somebody who turned out to be a robot, I'm proposing a new game: Is this spam or a legit email that just happens to have been written by AI?
June 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
New video: How to make our bike-share systems better
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The mistakes that make bike-share systems suck
YouTube video by Shifter
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June 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by Tom Babin
103 cyclists suffered major injuries in crashes with cars in the last year on record in Alberta.

5 died.

In 73 of those collisions, the driver made an "improper action" vs. 30 who were "driving properly."

🔗: open.alberta.ca/dataset/2502...

Anyway, here's the RCMP reminding cyclists to stay safe:
June 16, 2025 at 8:37 PM
A report from the UK got headlines flying about how some comments from mean cyclists were undermining the cause of cycling. But that’s not the full story.
June 12, 2025 at 1:25 PM
According to this list, it looks like Glenmore is the only drinking-water reservoir in Alberta that bans swimming. Why?
June 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
New video about to drop where I try out a lot of nice, and a few ridiculous, glasses while cycling. And yes, I tried Meta Ray Bans on a bike, which may be both nice and ridiculous 🤷🏽
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The best eyewear for bike commuting and urban cycling
YouTube video by Shifter
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June 3, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Just a few days left to use the early bird discount code on The Ultimate Guide to Bike Commuting and Urban Cycling!
shiftercourses.thinkific.com/products/cou...
May 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Scramble intersections for cyclists?
May 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The real EV game changer is electric bikes, but growth is still being hampered by unclear and patchwork rules
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We still need better rules for e-bikes
YouTube video by Shifter
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May 14, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Maybe it’s time to retire the phrase “bike-lane” on projects like this.
May 8, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Reposted by Tom Babin
We made an online 🚲course! Check it out... I’m really proud of what we’ve created.
I'm excited to finally drop this: After 20 years of bike commuting, a book, and a YouTube channel, I've compiled everything I've learned about urban cycling into a course to help people overcome the barriers to making the bike a bigger part of their lives.
shiftercourses.thinkific.com
The Ultimate Guide to Bike Commuting and Urban Cycling
This course gives you all the knowledge you need to make the bike a bigger part of your daily life. Through engaging video lessons and expert advice from Tom Babin, learn how to confidently and safely...
shiftercourses.thinkific.com
May 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM