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
Author: Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling
More here: linktr.ee/shifter
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
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.
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
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
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
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?
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
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.
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
According to this list, it looks like Glenmore is the only drinking-water reservoir in Alberta that bans swimming. Why?
Just a few days left to use the early bird discount code on The Ultimate Guide to Bike Commuting and Urban Cycling!
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shiftercourses.thinkific.com/products/cou...
May 27, 2025 at 1:08 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...
shiftercourses.thinkific.com/products/cou...
From my bike ride though Banff a few days ago. We're lucky to be so close to this.
May 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
From my bike ride though Banff a few days ago. We're lucky to be so close to this.
Scramble intersections for cyclists?
May 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Scramble intersections for cyclists?
Maybe it’s time to retire the phrase “bike-lane” on projects like this.
May 8, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Maybe it’s time to retire the phrase “bike-lane” on projects like this.
The difference between good and bad (re: lazy) neighbourhood greenways can be pretty stark
March 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The difference between good and bad (re: lazy) neighbourhood greenways can be pretty stark
How many bike lanes can a city build in one year? Check out Paris.
February 12, 2025 at 9:09 PM
How many bike lanes can a city build in one year? Check out Paris.
Bike commuting under pink sunrises and purple sunsets every day this week has been an unexpected January joy.
January 30, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Bike commuting under pink sunrises and purple sunsets every day this week has been an unexpected January joy.
You're building a new public toilet in urban area near a popular park? Yes!
The building will look cool? Hell yes!
You worked a public pickleball court into the design? Wow, amazing!
You're going to surround the whole thing with a garish green chain-link fence? 🫣
The building will look cool? Hell yes!
You worked a public pickleball court into the design? Wow, amazing!
You're going to surround the whole thing with a garish green chain-link fence? 🫣
January 14, 2025 at 6:41 PM
You're building a new public toilet in urban area near a popular park? Yes!
The building will look cool? Hell yes!
You worked a public pickleball court into the design? Wow, amazing!
You're going to surround the whole thing with a garish green chain-link fence? 🫣
The building will look cool? Hell yes!
You worked a public pickleball court into the design? Wow, amazing!
You're going to surround the whole thing with a garish green chain-link fence? 🫣
All I want for Christmas is a pair of boots with a bit of winter lining so I can wear them while biking to work and all day in the office, but won’t fall apart after one winter. This is the second pair in two winters I’m destroying. Any suggestions for something more durable?
December 16, 2024 at 9:00 PM
All I want for Christmas is a pair of boots with a bit of winter lining so I can wear them while biking to work and all day in the office, but won’t fall apart after one winter. This is the second pair in two winters I’m destroying. Any suggestions for something more durable?
Riding a bike in winter is crazy and nobody will do it
December 4, 2024 at 3:48 PM
Riding a bike in winter is crazy and nobody will do it
You have to be a masochist to ride a bike in winter, they said. Riding in cold weather is impossible, they said. Winter is so ugly, they said.
November 29, 2024 at 5:30 PM
You have to be a masochist to ride a bike in winter, they said. Riding in cold weather is impossible, they said. Winter is so ugly, they said.
Even 10 years after writing a book about winter cycling, my brain always reacts to the first cold snap with: "Dude, you're a hairless primate. Don't go out there." But then I do and it's fine, or even glorious. So if you're struggling, remember: overcoming that voice makes your life better 🚲❄️
November 25, 2024 at 8:54 PM
Even 10 years after writing a book about winter cycling, my brain always reacts to the first cold snap with: "Dude, you're a hairless primate. Don't go out there." But then I do and it's fine, or even glorious. So if you're struggling, remember: overcoming that voice makes your life better 🚲❄️
Is Canada the only place on Earth that thinks about luggage on trains the same way airplanes? This is from the Alberta government’s survey on passenger rail. Is it me or is this weird?
Paging @rmtransit.bsky.social
Paging @rmtransit.bsky.social
November 23, 2024 at 3:26 PM
Is Canada the only place on Earth that thinks about luggage on trains the same way airplanes? This is from the Alberta government’s survey on passenger rail. Is it me or is this weird?
Paging @rmtransit.bsky.social
Paging @rmtransit.bsky.social
Ten seconds of bike-rack porn, for any of you who may happen to feel like you’re drowning in cars today.
November 14, 2024 at 10:07 PM
Ten seconds of bike-rack porn, for any of you who may happen to feel like you’re drowning in cars today.
That’s me, ChatGPT for future urbanist nerds 😂
October 27, 2023 at 3:08 AM
That’s me, ChatGPT for future urbanist nerds 😂
Is someone able to explain why there are so many fat-tired e-bikes available these days? Why has this become the default style of e-bike?
October 17, 2023 at 3:23 PM
Is someone able to explain why there are so many fat-tired e-bikes available these days? Why has this become the default style of e-bike?
Forget the sex, I’m low-key obsessed with the bike-positive portrayals in Netflix’s Sex Education. Where do I find this gorgeous bike route IRL?
October 10, 2023 at 1:38 AM
Forget the sex, I’m low-key obsessed with the bike-positive portrayals in Netflix’s Sex Education. Where do I find this gorgeous bike route IRL?