Sara F.L. Kirk
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sflkirk.bsky.social
Sara F.L. Kirk
@sflkirk.bsky.social
8.1K followers 1.7K following 1.8K posts
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.
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sflkirk.bsky.social
We all need stilts! h/t to the brilliant @jensorensen.bsky.social for illustrating the absurdity of these bloated professional air haulers & those that defend them #CarsRuinCities #CarBloat #CarBrain
A cartoon by the very talented Jen Sorenson about the absurdly oversized trucks that are being foisted onto our streets. It is called "The Height of Folly". First image is of a truck with children sitting in front to illustrate the blind zone of over-sized trucks, like the F150 (there are 10 children sitting there, invisible to the driver). Second image is children on stilts & giant truck, with tagline line "obviously we need taller children, it's time for stilts!". Third image is a cop on stilts handing out tickets for "shortwalking" to pedestrians on a crosswalk who are not using stilts. Fourth image is someone on stilts saying "maybe we should try regulating vehicle sizes?" and another stilted person saying "are you kidding? That would be ridiculous".
November 6, 2025 at 12:57 AM
sflkirk.bsky.social
I guess 'compact' is relative if the comparison is an F150 #CarBrain #CarsRuinCities
A white car is parked in a space that is designated as for compact cars only. The car is clearly too long for the space as depicted by the length of the yellow lines that denote the space. There is a building in the background, two signs saying "compact car parking only), a wooden railing and asphalt covered with lots of autumn leaves.
November 2, 2025 at 2:15 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Congratulations to @juliakontak.bsky.social for joining the floppy hat club yesterday! Dr. Kontak (jr) is now official & it was a joy to have her join me after crossing the stage! #DalProud
Two people pose for a picture in front of a building and tree. They are wearing academic robes and floppy black hats and smiling.
October 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Clocked up yet another 1,000km on my trusty @ternbicycles.com e-bike this week! Another 256kg of CO2 saved over driving. Plus there's less damage to roads using an #ebike. If only we had safe & protected infrastructure in #ZeroVisionHFX to support more #ClimateAction roaddamagecalculator.com
A screenshot of a road damage calculator comparing a longtail cargo bike and an SUV. The text reads "it would take a longtail cargo bike 1,130 years of doing the same journey every day to damage the road as much as one journey in a large SUV".
October 25, 2025 at 3:50 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Who are you listening to @nsgov.bsky.social & @hfxgov.bsky.social around road safety & need for safe #ActiveMobility infrastructure? What would Johanna Dean or Meinhard Doelle say as you force more cars into our shared public spaces? Via @ianwalker.bsky.social simple.ghost.io/but-who-spea... 1/2
A screenshot from a newsletter by Professor Ian Walker about who gets to speak at public consultations titled 'But who speaks for the dead?". Text reads: When a local authority proposes a segregated cycle lane, and a few locals loudly protest and demand the streets remain dangerous to people on bikes, who represents all the cyclists who have been killed because they were not given safe places to ride? If they could speak, I'm confident I know what they would say about the proposals. But we don't seem to care what their views would have been, and we consult in a way that disproportionately favours one side of the discussion. We have a form of survivorship bias where the people who most get to opine on the status quo are, by definition, those for whom it demonstrably works; many of those for whom the status quo did not work have been systematically, and brutally, excluded. When an authority wants to remove motor vehicles from an area to reduce air pollution, what do we think the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have already been cut short by that air pollution would say, if somehow the consultation could include them? They very clearly had an investment in the subject, after all. Where is the Commissioner tasked with representing what they would be likely to say if they hadn't been excluded from the consultation by the very air pollution under discussion? Full article can be read here: https://simple.ghost.io/but-who-speaks-for-the-dead/
October 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Snapped a pic of one of my favourite #DogsOnBikes today. Their tail was wagging so hard in the trailer as they waited for their owner to come back. With all the 💩 happening in the world it's little things like this that can make my day in #BikeHFX #BikesBuildCommunity
A brown dog stands in a blue bike trailer waiting for their owner to appear from the grocery store in the background. Not captured by a photo is the wagging tail banging against the canvas as they wait for their owner to come back!
October 17, 2025 at 8:47 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Haha! Archie used to whine on every car journey so he's much happier walking the neighbourhood now - he's an old boy so can't go far. We alternate between chicken & red meat versions for variety. Not that he cares since he'll eat anything! Here he is a few years back doing his 'Oliver' impression!
A chocolate labrador lying on a rug & looking at the camera. The dog has a metal bowl in his mouth and is waiting to be fed, conjuring up the phrase from Oliver Twist of "please sir, can I have some more?".
October 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
3 years #CarFree & no regrets. A short 🧵. Still saving $250/m - $9k in 3 years! Still have a car parked on our drive to use when we need via @communauto.bsky.social. It's just shared with neighbours. Still carrying same amount of stuff on my @ternbicycles.com as I did by car #NoBrainer #BikeJoy 1/
A tern utility vehicle (TUV, also known as a cargo bike) parked next to a over-sized SUV in a grocery store parking lot. Both can carry the same amount of groceries. There are buildings in the background and a blue sky. A tern utility vehicle (TUV, als known as a cargo bike) with a large bag of dog food strapped to the back. The red bike is chained to a lollipop bike stand on a concrete sidewalk.
October 12, 2025 at 12:16 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
A core segment of @hfxgov.bsky.social's supposed 'all ages and abilities' & 'traffic calmed' bicycle network on a residential street felt neither comfortable nor connected today. A complete failure! Plus I don't think these were all residents 👀 #ZeroVisionHFX #CarBrain #BikeHFX
A screenshot from the Halifax (Kjipuktuk) Regional Municipality's website describing the characteristics of local street bikeways as part of the All Ages and Abilities bicycle network. It reads: Local Street Bikeways are bicycle routes on local (often residential) streets. If necessary, the street is modified in a way that lowers vehicle speeds and volumes. This allows people cycling to share the road comfortably with vehicles without the need for designated bicycle lanes. The impact on parking on streets with Local Street Bikeways is often minimal. Local Street Bikeways have the following features: Signs to show that the street is a Local Street Bikeway Pavement markings to remind all road users to expect people bicycling and assist with their placement in the lanes Traffic diversion measures, where necessary, to discourage through trips or “short-cutting” by motor vehicles Traffic calming measures, where necessary, to reduce the speed of motor vehicles Intersection improvements to create safe, convenient bicycle crossings of major and minor streets Other landscaping, bicycle parking, and pedestrian improvements where appropriate POV from a bicycle of the Vernon Street Local Street Bikeway with a long line of cars ahead. There is a green and white sign on the road to denote this as a Local Street Bikeway, i.e., a traffic calmed residential street to support comfortable cycling for people of all ages and abilities but clearly drivers did not get the memo.
October 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
There are so many days when I can't imagine a better way to commute than on my bike. Today was another of those days. From a local street bikeway working as intended (& a crossing guard bird whispering!) to a #BikeJam chat at an intersection, #BikingBuildsCommunity #BikeHFX
POV from a bike of a residential street in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS. On the far left, a crossing guard is attracting birds onto his hand as he waits to escort families over the cross to the nearby school, five people on bikes are in the shot going in different directions and there is early morning sunshine breaking through the trees. There are also houses in the background and the ubiquitous publicly subsidized storage of private property (parked cars) in evidence. Two people on bikes are waiting in front of me for a break in the traffic to cross an intersection in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. Not in the shot is a cargo bike behind me on my bike. There is sunshine coming through the trees in the background and buildings on either side of the street. Road markings that are wearing off denote that this is a local street bikeway and bike lane.
October 7, 2025 at 11:33 AM
sflkirk.bsky.social
I witnessed the aftermath of 2 auto crashes this week. There was significant damage to the cars in both & in one, damage to the hazard warning sign marking a pedestrian crosswalk. That's at least $28k, if no injuries (2018 CRISP study: drivetolive.ca/research/col...) #RoadViolence #SafeStreetsNS
A hazard warning sign that has been knocked down in an automobile collision and is propped up on a box and grabage bag on a grassy verge strewn with leaves. The sun is shining and there is a sidewalk and tree trunk in the background.
October 4, 2025 at 3:11 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
When life gives you chillis, make chilli jam. Here's one I made earlier...
A jar of chilli jam on a countertop. The flecks of red, green and orange peppers float in an amber liquid making this an ideal Christmas gift.
October 2, 2025 at 9:47 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
I have the best (ex) students! Waiting for me on my desk @dalhousie.bsky.social was this sweet treat from newly minted PhD @juliakontak.bsky.social The bitterness of the lock out is tempered by the #solidarity of my colleagues & students working together to #KeepDalStrong #grateful
A bar of chocolate from Peace By Chocolate with a yellow wrapper and Peace written on it. A pink sticky note is attached with a “welcome back” message written on it.
September 19, 2025 at 11:12 AM
sflkirk.bsky.social
And it was both of these things! Around 130 kids & their families enjoying some time together on bikes on a Sunday morning never fails to lift my spirits. #KidicalMassHFX is the best way to feel some #BikeJoy
A long line of kids and their families begin to pass through an intersection in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The sun is hining and there is a blue sky at the top of the picture, buildings and trees. It's a KidicalMassHFX bike ride, a joyful protest for safe streets for children to move around safely and independently.
September 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Here's my lockout jam - peach and chilli - from stuff grown in the garden. This week it's chutney 👩‍🍳 #KeepDalStrong
A jar of chilli jam standing on a black countertop A jar of peach jam standing on a black countertop
September 8, 2025 at 11:19 AM
sflkirk.bsky.social
While @dalhousie.bsky.social can lock me out of my classroom, they can't stop me supporting students in other ways. Dropped off some fresh fruit & veg at the Glitter Bean & campus community fridges today through #BikeBrigadeHFX #KeepDalStrong
Image of a fridge with a variety of vegetables and fruit inside. Image of a fridge with a variety of vegetables and fruit inside.
September 6, 2025 at 7:02 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Pics from the picket line today, incl. our #Solidarity banner that is gaining lots of student signatures (& special guests @hfxtidesfc.bsky.social). Students I spoke to are fully behind @dalfaculty.bsky.social & baffled by the silence of @dalhousieu.bsky.social board. Come back & bargain!
Names in hearts on a white fabric banner from supporters of the Dal Faculty Association picket. Three people stand in front of a banner with "solidarity" written on it. They are holding signs related to the lockout of Dalhousie University faculty members by the Dalhousie administration. It's a sunny day and there are trees and buildings in the backgroud. A group of people from the Halifax Tides FC squad speaking to Dalhousie Faculty Association members who are on the picket line. There are trees in the background and a sidewalk with chalk writing on it.
September 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Feeling a little starstruck on the @dalfaculty.bsky.social picket line today! A visit from the @hfxtidesfc.bsky.social helped lift our spirits ✊⚽️🌊 Thanks for your support! #KeepDalStrong
September 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Time, once again, for @darrencullen.bsky.social's on the nose offering to this insanity #CarBrain #CarsRuinCities
A cartoon image in the style of an advert for a SUV. The SUV is driving on a stretch of grey tarmac with a cloudy blue sky in the background. There is a child's face contained in a bubble with an arrow pointing into the SUV. The body of another child is under the wheels of the SUV, covered in blood. The black uppercase text reads "Keep your child safe and uncrushed inside a brand-new child-crushing machine". A line underneath in lowercase says "Pedestrians hit by a SUV are are twice as likely to die than when hit by a normal car". There is a small image of a SUV in the bottom right corner with the letters "SUV" underneath in the style of a company logo. The cartoon is by Darren Cullen from www.spellingmistakescostlives.com
September 3, 2025 at 10:47 AM
sflkirk.bsky.social
My peaches are peachy perfect! Just have to stop the dog eating them before we can pick em all. It’s a bumper crop this year!
Image of a hand holding a lovely ripe peach
September 2, 2025 at 7:16 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
The silence of the @dalhousie.bsky.social board is deafening - I'd rather be prepping for a new term than making bad memes #KeepDalStrong
A mock-up of the poster for the Silence of the lambs movie, featuring the Dalhousie tiger instead of Jodie Foster's face and the deathhead moth. Black background and red lettering
August 26, 2025 at 9:10 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Day 2 of @dalhousieu.bsky.social lockout of @dalfaculty.bsky.social & a reminder that behind Dal's financial situation is our Premier. Houston withheld funding to Dal last year. I asked a question in Senate about why & here's what Dal Prez Kim Brooks said (p4) tinyurl.com/ycy3au4d #KeepDalStrong 1/2
Screenshot of minutes from a Dalhousie University Senate meeting in Dec 2024. Black text on white background. Text reads: "Question Period. In response from a Senator regarding why Dalhousie seemed to have been singled out by the province with respect to a funding freeze and if there were opportunities for engagement with the province. Senator Brooks responded that Dalhousie was perhaps better placed to handle budgetary pressure and that it was hoped that there would be opportunities for engagement when the government was back in session".
August 21, 2025 at 10:26 AM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Even chatGPT knows that isn't common sense at all! #nspoli
Screen grab from ChatGPT that provides evidence-based "common sense" congestion reduction tools. Text reads: "TL;DR: Evidence-based “common sense” congestion reduction tools include: Congestion pricing Transit investment Walking/bike infrastructure Smarter urban planning Real-time traffic management Avoiding road expansions that lead to more cars Parking reform"
July 31, 2025 at 10:27 AM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Well summed up by @darrencullen.bsky.social however, which I share a lot b/c the attitude you describe shocks me too! #CarBrain #CarCult
A cartoon image in the style of an advert for a SUV. The SUV is driving on a stretch of grey tarmac with a cloudy blue sky in the background. There is a child's face contained in a bubble with an arrow pointing into the SUV. The body of another child is under the wheels of the SUV, covered in blood. The black uppercase text reads "Keep your child safe and uncrushed inside a brand-new child-crushing machine". A line underneath in lowercase says "Pedestrians hit by a SUV are are twice as likely to die than when hit by a normal car". There is a small image of a SUV in the bottom right corner with the letters "SUV" underneath in the style of a company logo. The cartoon is by Darren Cullen from www.spellingmistakescostlives.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:45 PM
sflkirk.bsky.social
Here's another one. She was quite happy to flip me the finger with the hand that wasn't holding the phone while obstructing the crosswalk my husband & I were trying to cross. A whole new meaning of hands free in this example 🙄 #SafeStreets
Image of a driver in a red car, taken from the POV of a pedestrian crossing in front of her in a marked crosswalk. The young female driver is flipping the finger with one hand while holding her phone, which she'd been talking into, with the other. It's a sunny day with a blue sky in the background and buildings and trees.
July 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM