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
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?
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Since Stephen Miller is in the midst of another of his Aryans-only trantrums, we should note that his family are 20th century immigrants from the shtetl of Antopol (Антопаль) then in the Hrodna gubernia of Russia. Applying his immigration rules, they would all have perished in the Holocaust.
Stephen Miller Is an Immigration Hypocrite. I Know Because I’m His Uncle.
If my nephew’s ideas on immigration had been in force a century ago, our family would have been wiped out.
www.politico.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Since Stephen Miller is in the midst of another of his Aryans-only trantrums, we should note that his family are 20th century immigrants from the shtetl of Antopol (Антопаль) then in the Hrodna gubernia of Russia. Applying his immigration rules, they would all have perished in the Holocaust.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
How proud we are to live in Biketoria — Canada’s cycling capital! Check out this inspiring video showing how Victoria tripled its cycling in just 11 years:
www.youtube.com/watc...
Share this video and spread the word. Victoria is on the right path — and together, we can go even further.
#YYJBike
www.youtube.com/watc...
Share this video and spread the word. Victoria is on the right path — and together, we can go even further.
#YYJBike
How This Small City Tripled Its Cycling In Just 11 Years
This small city tripled its cycling mode share in just 11 years!
Keep Urbanity rolling:
Join our Patreon for early releases, credit at the end of each video, and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/ohtheurbanity
Contact form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NeALCmO6ELwJAGPyV46BVbl5JXzjlWl6emH
www.youtube.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
How proud we are to live in Biketoria — Canada’s cycling capital! Check out this inspiring video showing how Victoria tripled its cycling in just 11 years:
www.youtube.com/watc...
Share this video and spread the word. Victoria is on the right path — and together, we can go even further.
#YYJBike
www.youtube.com/watc...
Share this video and spread the word. Victoria is on the right path — and together, we can go even further.
#YYJBike
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
this is just gutter racism
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 12:59 PM
this is just gutter racism
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
I had a fun time carrying Patrick around in my cargo bike and giving him a little tour of my and Urban Thrive's first car free townhouse in #yyj.
Quoting myself here: "I changed the way I build because the city changed the way it built" by investing in safe and convenient cycling infrastructure.
Quoting myself here: "I changed the way I build because the city changed the way it built" by investing in safe and convenient cycling infrastructure.
The Best Cycling City No One Talks About
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
The Best Cycling City No One Talks About
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I had a fun time carrying Patrick around in my cargo bike and giving him a little tour of my and Urban Thrive's first car free townhouse in #yyj.
Quoting myself here: "I changed the way I build because the city changed the way it built" by investing in safe and convenient cycling infrastructure.
Quoting myself here: "I changed the way I build because the city changed the way it built" by investing in safe and convenient cycling infrastructure.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Not only is it great to see Victoria getting recognized for being an amazing, and family friendly, cycling city but it's awesome to see all the pride in the many posts about this video here.🥰
The Best Cycling City No One Talks About
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
The Best Cycling City No One Talks About
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Not only is it great to see Victoria getting recognized for being an amazing, and family friendly, cycling city but it's awesome to see all the pride in the many posts about this video here.🥰
Outrageous.
Ford does not care one wit about anybody outside a motor vehicle.
Ford does not care one wit about anybody outside a motor vehicle.
Pedestrian struck by motorist on Parkside a block from the speed camera that vigilantes kept tearing down that caused ford to remove them from all Ontario. Drive as you wish Ontario. Nobody matters. This is what you voted for.
November 28, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Outrageous.
Ford does not care one wit about anybody outside a motor vehicle.
Ford does not care one wit about anybody outside a motor vehicle.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
For centuries, cities have been planned by and for able-bodied, gainfully-employed men.
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
November 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
For centuries, cities have been planned by and for able-bodied, gainfully-employed men.
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
Feminist urban planning isn’t proposing the opposite, but a model that considers all stages of human life, from infancy to old age, without giving greater importance to the productive-work stage.
bit.ly/49uev9N
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
US to sever ties with civilization.
Marco Rubio 🤮
adjective
1. So weak, cruel, or pitiful that it provokes a sharp mix of disappointment and contempt.
adjective
1. So weak, cruel, or pitiful that it provokes a sharp mix of disappointment and contempt.
November 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
US to sever ties with civilization.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?