Chris Ritsma
@hambicycleguy.bsky.social
From urbanism, arises cultures 🌆
#YIMBY for market & social housing, rides a #bicycle 🚲, thinks Car Dependence is destroying our society living in #HamOnt🔨
#YIMBY for market & social housing, rides a #bicycle 🚲, thinks Car Dependence is destroying our society living in #HamOnt🔨
Canadians will wonder why there's a housing crisis and their kids can't afford to move out, but then an article about an unpermitted 4plex home which is honestly fine if it had permits is called "towering" and "out of place" and the prior home called "modest" because it fit in.
November 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Canadians will wonder why there's a housing crisis and their kids can't afford to move out, but then an article about an unpermitted 4plex home which is honestly fine if it had permits is called "towering" and "out of place" and the prior home called "modest" because it fit in.
This is why regulating in such a targeted manner is bad. It costs a ton of time/money, takes up air from real issues & creates complex red tape that ppl have to navigate
City shouldn't have "left house retail/residential, right house residential" law when there's no material difference between them
City shouldn't have "left house retail/residential, right house residential" law when there's no material difference between them
November 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This is why regulating in such a targeted manner is bad. It costs a ton of time/money, takes up air from real issues & creates complex red tape that ppl have to navigate
City shouldn't have "left house retail/residential, right house residential" law when there's no material difference between them
City shouldn't have "left house retail/residential, right house residential" law when there's no material difference between them
Love when workers block the bike lanes... Even when improving bike lanes shouldn't block them
November 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Love when workers block the bike lanes... Even when improving bike lanes shouldn't block them
Obviously Purolator driver couldn't park on this newly vacant lot or in this parking spot, had to stop right on the sidewalk...
November 4, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Obviously Purolator driver couldn't park on this newly vacant lot or in this parking spot, had to stop right on the sidewalk...
Something I don't get is the propensity of some people to stop their vehicle on the sidewalk, while simultaneously still blocking the road... Like, just stop in the lane instead of on the sidewalk?
October 25, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Something I don't get is the propensity of some people to stop their vehicle on the sidewalk, while simultaneously still blocking the road... Like, just stop in the lane instead of on the sidewalk?
The new cycle-specific lights at Bay/Cannon are on! Love that they pre-empt the driving signal.
However, City of Hamilton may want to be notified @ward2hamilton.bsky.social @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social because the bicycle light remains green which contradicts signage and is dangerously confusing.
However, City of Hamilton may want to be notified @ward2hamilton.bsky.social @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social because the bicycle light remains green which contradicts signage and is dangerously confusing.
October 18, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The new cycle-specific lights at Bay/Cannon are on! Love that they pre-empt the driving signal.
However, City of Hamilton may want to be notified @ward2hamilton.bsky.social @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social because the bicycle light remains green which contradicts signage and is dangerously confusing.
However, City of Hamilton may want to be notified @ward2hamilton.bsky.social @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social because the bicycle light remains green which contradicts signage and is dangerously confusing.
"Just put up signs, drivers will follow them" - Doug Ford
Hamilton drivers: "wait the straight arrow in the road, the no right turn, and the one way arrow sign mean don't go in the wrong way down this road?"
Hamilton drivers: "wait the straight arrow in the road, the no right turn, and the one way arrow sign mean don't go in the wrong way down this road?"
October 15, 2025 at 10:55 PM
"Just put up signs, drivers will follow them" - Doug Ford
Hamilton drivers: "wait the straight arrow in the road, the no right turn, and the one way arrow sign mean don't go in the wrong way down this road?"
Hamilton drivers: "wait the straight arrow in the road, the no right turn, and the one way arrow sign mean don't go in the wrong way down this road?"
I don't really get those that argue supply/demand doesn't exist for the housing market, and increasing supply of market housing won't bring prices down... Hamilton's condo market basically doesn't exist right now, and wow, look! Lower prices.
September 21, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I don't really get those that argue supply/demand doesn't exist for the housing market, and increasing supply of market housing won't bring prices down... Hamilton's condo market basically doesn't exist right now, and wow, look! Lower prices.
Finally saying goodbye to these vacant eyesores.
Hopefully with provincial help, & ignoring the Northend NIMBYs, we can get affordable housing, dense market & non-market housing & retail within 150 metres from a multi-billion dollar regional rail line and 1km to a multi-billion dollar LRT line.
Hopefully with provincial help, & ignoring the Northend NIMBYs, we can get affordable housing, dense market & non-market housing & retail within 150 metres from a multi-billion dollar regional rail line and 1km to a multi-billion dollar LRT line.
September 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Finally saying goodbye to these vacant eyesores.
Hopefully with provincial help, & ignoring the Northend NIMBYs, we can get affordable housing, dense market & non-market housing & retail within 150 metres from a multi-billion dollar regional rail line and 1km to a multi-billion dollar LRT line.
Hopefully with provincial help, & ignoring the Northend NIMBYs, we can get affordable housing, dense market & non-market housing & retail within 150 metres from a multi-billion dollar regional rail line and 1km to a multi-billion dollar LRT line.
It appears they weren't supposed to start demolition. Went by to see if I can get a view inside (I've never seen the inside with my own eyes)
September 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
It appears they weren't supposed to start demolition. Went by to see if I can get a view inside (I've never seen the inside with my own eyes)
I literally can't understand how someone can argue supply/demand doesn't impact housing.
Unless you're like 5 years old, you've lived through multiple instances of ownership/rental prices being impacted by supply & demand.
See; rental prices in CBDs during COVID.
Unless you're like 5 years old, you've lived through multiple instances of ownership/rental prices being impacted by supply & demand.
See; rental prices in CBDs during COVID.
September 5, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I literally can't understand how someone can argue supply/demand doesn't impact housing.
Unless you're like 5 years old, you've lived through multiple instances of ownership/rental prices being impacted by supply & demand.
See; rental prices in CBDs during COVID.
Unless you're like 5 years old, you've lived through multiple instances of ownership/rental prices being impacted by supply & demand.
See; rental prices in CBDs during COVID.
"Should we put the new poles directly in the centre of the sidewalk in the new design, or like to the side?"
"Fuck it, throw it directly in the way of people walking and using mobility devices"
"Fuck it, throw it directly in the way of people walking and using mobility devices"
September 4, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Should we put the new poles directly in the centre of the sidewalk in the new design, or like to the side?"
"Fuck it, throw it directly in the way of people walking and using mobility devices"
"Fuck it, throw it directly in the way of people walking and using mobility devices"
One thing that really sucks in Hamilton is lack of public amenities in parks. They exist, but for an urban area like the lower city it's just not an acceptable level.
Victoria Park tennis courts for example are always over busy, and you end up waiting for sometimes over an hour to get a court.
Victoria Park tennis courts for example are always over busy, and you end up waiting for sometimes over an hour to get a court.
September 3, 2025 at 11:42 PM
One thing that really sucks in Hamilton is lack of public amenities in parks. They exist, but for an urban area like the lower city it's just not an acceptable level.
Victoria Park tennis courts for example are always over busy, and you end up waiting for sometimes over an hour to get a court.
Victoria Park tennis courts for example are always over busy, and you end up waiting for sometimes over an hour to get a court.
Retail districts are a lot like indoor malls, and when commercial units remain vacant it reduces overall foot traffic in a negative way. The building owned by City of Hamilton at 89 King St E, was finished in 2008, contained a business for 4 years and has otherwise been vacant.
September 2, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Retail districts are a lot like indoor malls, and when commercial units remain vacant it reduces overall foot traffic in a negative way. The building owned by City of Hamilton at 89 King St E, was finished in 2008, contained a business for 4 years and has otherwise been vacant.
Finally a random gripe. The @ward2hamilton.bsky.social office has been pushing for more accessible curb cuts on sidewalks, which is great, but in true Hamilton fashion, hundreds of these are being rebuilt without daylighting at intersections (ie bump-outs to slow vehicles & reduce ped Xing distance)
August 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Finally a random gripe. The @ward2hamilton.bsky.social office has been pushing for more accessible curb cuts on sidewalks, which is great, but in true Hamilton fashion, hundreds of these are being rebuilt without daylighting at intersections (ie bump-outs to slow vehicles & reduce ped Xing distance)
McMaster University itself has far better bicycle lanes on the entry and exit to the property connecting Sterling, and the bicycle lanes have priority signal with pedestrians. Hamilton getting buy-in from private orgs and institutions like this is key to connectivity of bicycle infrastructure.
August 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
McMaster University itself has far better bicycle lanes on the entry and exit to the property connecting Sterling, and the bicycle lanes have priority signal with pedestrians. Hamilton getting buy-in from private orgs and institutions like this is key to connectivity of bicycle infrastructure.
The raised bus stop is poorly signed, and bumpy as heck, so people bicycle around it rather than over it.
The "raised intersection" was obviously designed with drivers in mind, and right after construction already deemed a failure.... Okiedokie.
The "raised intersection" was obviously designed with drivers in mind, and right after construction already deemed a failure.... Okiedokie.
August 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The raised bus stop is poorly signed, and bumpy as heck, so people bicycle around it rather than over it.
The "raised intersection" was obviously designed with drivers in mind, and right after construction already deemed a failure.... Okiedokie.
The "raised intersection" was obviously designed with drivers in mind, and right after construction already deemed a failure.... Okiedokie.
Next stop is the new bicycle lanes on Sterling, which removed very underutilized parking to provide safe, wide lanes for the 10s of thousands of students & staff at McMaster University.
Missed: the curbs are missing in many places where drivers will surely stop. Buses still pull into bike lane.
Missed: the curbs are missing in many places where drivers will surely stop. Buses still pull into bike lane.
August 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Next stop is the new bicycle lanes on Sterling, which removed very underutilized parking to provide safe, wide lanes for the 10s of thousands of students & staff at McMaster University.
Missed: the curbs are missing in many places where drivers will surely stop. Buses still pull into bike lane.
Missed: the curbs are missing in many places where drivers will surely stop. Buses still pull into bike lane.
First stop is the new York boulevard infrastructure. It is top notch and really some of the best that North America has to offer in my opinion.
Missed: trees along the boulevard for shade, and where the bicycle lane meets the road is rough on a bicycle, could be smoother.
Missed: trees along the boulevard for shade, and where the bicycle lane meets the road is rough on a bicycle, could be smoother.
August 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
First stop is the new York boulevard infrastructure. It is top notch and really some of the best that North America has to offer in my opinion.
Missed: trees along the boulevard for shade, and where the bicycle lane meets the road is rough on a bicycle, could be smoother.
Missed: trees along the boulevard for shade, and where the bicycle lane meets the road is rough on a bicycle, could be smoother.
One wonders why two lanes needed this much space previously when closing half the road retains enough space for vehicles to continue travelling in both directions...
Seems like the road should be shrunk after construction is complete at the corner of Barton/James!
Seems like the road should be shrunk after construction is complete at the corner of Barton/James!
August 15, 2025 at 3:28 PM
One wonders why two lanes needed this much space previously when closing half the road retains enough space for vehicles to continue travelling in both directions...
Seems like the road should be shrunk after construction is complete at the corner of Barton/James!
Seems like the road should be shrunk after construction is complete at the corner of Barton/James!
This time this truck has a occupancy permit, however, they are blocking too much of the sidewalk to meet the guidelines.
Reported to by-law. Just follow the law bro.
Reported to by-law. Just follow the law bro.
July 24, 2025 at 4:37 PM
This time this truck has a occupancy permit, however, they are blocking too much of the sidewalk to meet the guidelines.
Reported to by-law. Just follow the law bro.
Reported to by-law. Just follow the law bro.
Blocking people cycling with their children and people walking their dogs forced onto the sidewalk. Shameful behaviour, reported to by-law.
$200 ticket incoming. #blockedinhamilton
$200 ticket incoming. #blockedinhamilton
July 23, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Blocking people cycling with their children and people walking their dogs forced onto the sidewalk. Shameful behaviour, reported to by-law.
$200 ticket incoming. #blockedinhamilton
$200 ticket incoming. #blockedinhamilton
Loved that the City of Hamilton still can't organize Canada Day fireworks without being a disaster. Bike lanes blocked, buses stuck, blocking intersections.
Suggestion: make a route into/out of the event a bus/cycle only route so people actually use buses to more effectively move people in/out.
Suggestion: make a route into/out of the event a bus/cycle only route so people actually use buses to more effectively move people in/out.
July 5, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Loved that the City of Hamilton still can't organize Canada Day fireworks without being a disaster. Bike lanes blocked, buses stuck, blocking intersections.
Suggestion: make a route into/out of the event a bus/cycle only route so people actually use buses to more effectively move people in/out.
Suggestion: make a route into/out of the event a bus/cycle only route so people actually use buses to more effectively move people in/out.
They replaced this tree with another, and now the new tree, in June 2025 is full out dead and needs to be replaced again... I'm pretty sure these each cost like $15,000 to install (maybe more or less, feel free to correct).
June 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
They replaced this tree with another, and now the new tree, in June 2025 is full out dead and needs to be replaced again... I'm pretty sure these each cost like $15,000 to install (maybe more or less, feel free to correct).