William van Geest
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wvangeest.bsky.social
William van Geest
@wvangeest.bsky.social
660 followers 240 following 270 posts
Settler on unceded, unsurrendered Algonquin territory. Sustainable transportation, ecology, social justice, Ottawa. ED @ecologyottawa.bsky.social. Skeets my responsibility.
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wvangeest.bsky.social
Thar be ice… @rideaucanalskate.bsky.social #OttSkate
Photo of a canal with a multi-use path beside it shown at night. There’s a fragmented layer of ice across the canal. Photo of a bridge lit up at night. The reflection reveals a layer of ice across the waterway.
November 19, 2025 at 3:08 AM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Great to see @ncc-ccn.gc.ca planting clusters of trees, not just isolated, forlorn lollipops. Not quite the tiny forests many of us would prefer, but a step in the right direction. #OttTree #OttCity @rideaucanalskate.bsky.social
Photo of a patch of a few freshly planted trees, including conifers and deciduous, next to a road. Photo of the same patch, but now from the side, also showing several additional such patches further along the road.
November 19, 2025 at 3:05 AM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Um, how is Pathways Alliance advertising on What On Earth (CBC’s climate podcast)?
November 11, 2025 at 7:22 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Under-appreciated phenomenon: with an early snow, autumn leaves fallen *on top of* the snow. Ginkgos do it particularly well.
Photo of a bed of yellow ginkgo leaves on top of snow under a couple mature trees. Photo of a heavy dusting of green ginkgo leaves on top of snow under a couple mature trees.
November 10, 2025 at 11:23 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
I already knew to hate when utilities are installed in the middle of the sidewalk, but I didn’t realize the consequences for winter accessibility—i.e., since plows can’t make it through, they plow these spots poorly. All to maximize space for #Autowa. #OttWalk #OttRoll
Photo of a sidewalk with a snow plow path that veers around a parking pay station. Photo of another sidewalk with a snow plow path that veers around another parking pay station. Photo of a third sidewalk with a snow plow path that veers around yet another parking pay station.
November 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Is it just me, or are sidewalks in #OttCity urban areas being widened during renewals?

Shots are Breezehill and MacLaren. Obviously happy if they’re wider, although still inadequate. Also, ramps to driveways still rob much of this space (third shot). #OttWalk #OttRoll
Photo of a street with new sidewalks. Asphalt not yet laid. Photo of a street with new sidewalks and fresh asphalt. Photo of a sidewalks with significant dip toward the street.
November 2, 2025 at 2:17 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Just noticed these lamp posts. Assume it’s #OttCity’s decision, but clear NCC’s standards and lamps—presumably part of the canal project?

Anyway, no idea what we’re doing installing these in the middle of the sidewalk in the year of our Lord 2025 🤦‍♂️ #OttWalk #OttRoll
Photo of two lamp posts in the middle of a sidewalk next to a cycling facility and a car lane.
November 2, 2025 at 1:07 AM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Great to see this space still being used in October. #ThirdPlace #Centretown #Ottawa
Photo of a vintage clothes market in a modest square.
October 25, 2025 at 8:52 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Pretty sweet to ride a biking facility so new, the paint’s still drying.

Feels like every time I return to Toronto, they’re installing new—and excellent—infrastructure. In this iteration (Harbord near Grace), they’ve installed beds within the new curbs—top notch. #CycleTO
Photo of a newly paved cycle track, with a pylon on top of apparently fresh paint. Photo of a newly paved cycle track, with a c. 2’-wide bed with recently planted shrubs within the curbed area protecting cyclists from cars. Photo of a newly paved cycle track, with a wider bed within the curbed area protecting cyclists from cars.
October 3, 2025 at 4:45 AM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Also, a fun detail for #OttBike: game day at Lansdowne? Sorry, either walk or go around—or take a car, like a serious person. #OttBike #Autowa
Photo of a roll plan indicating that a cycle track is closed during events.
September 25, 2025 at 1:04 AM
wvangeest.bsky.social
The lack of consideration for those biking to the meeting—i e., zero bike parking—should’ve been the first hint of where the project team’s mind was at. #OttBike #Autowa
Photo of a large number of bikes locked to a railing next to a street.
September 25, 2025 at 1:02 AM
wvangeest.bsky.social
It’s not a 15-minute neighbourhood unless it has a jazz cafe. #Centretown #Ottawa #JazzAt248
Photo of a small jazz venue with an attentive crowd.
September 20, 2025 at 12:28 AM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Wild to see all the people in the new Food Basics in #Centretown and realize that a month ago, all of them would’ve been going much further for their groceries. Amazing to have local grocery stores.

(Incidentally, 9.5/10 on bike rack selection—but could use several more.)
Photo of the front of a new Food Basics store with bike racks in foreground.
September 9, 2025 at 11:08 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Newest act on the next Bank St closure?

Experienced this in LA last fall: 100% recommend.
September 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
...to say nothing of this Council's *own stated priorities*: #OttCity Strategic Plan on poverty and affordable housing attached.
Screenshot of the City of Ottawa's Strategic Plan 2023-26, p. 11, which reads, "Strategic Objective 3 Create and advance along a clear path to eliminate chronic homelessness The results we want to achieve by 2026 | Developed resources to assist chronically homeless individuals to access appropriate, permanent housing with the supports they need to stay housed and reduced inflow into chronic homelessness | Reduced chronic homelessness Performance Indicators 3a Number of supportive units being used to house chronically homeless individuals 3b Number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness 3c Number of chronically homeless individuals matched to Housing First supports Strategic Objective 4 Advance poverty reduction The results we want to achieve by 2026 | Effects of poverty and food insecurity are reduced through work with community partners Performance Indicators 4a Poverty Reduction Strategy Indicators to be determined within the Term of Council"
September 2, 2025 at 6:39 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
I pay my fare (via credit card, =cool) and look for escalators going down to the platform.

Nope again: only ups. More hauling luggage down stairs.

9/
Photo of inside of a light rail train station with escalators on either side.
August 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Next up: the sidewalk I’m on disappears, ostensibly because of construction.

Meanwhile, the three lanes for cars are unaffected.

Priorities, anyone? Balance? #OttWalk #OttRoll

(Note the #OttBike lane has also disappeared.)

7/
Photo of a road with three lanes for cars and construction on the left side where a sidewalk and bike lane once were.
August 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
First up: severely eroded sidewalks.

Fortunately for me, I’m pretty able-bodied and only dragging my wheeled appendage.

What’s this like for folks using a wheelchair or pushing a stroller? #OttWalk #OttRoll

6/
Photo of a street corner where the sidewalk has large chunks missing and is partially patched up with asphalt. Situation at the street corner opposite is similar.
August 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
When I look up the stop, I see the next arrival is in more than 20 min, and 20-min headways down the list.

And FTR this is one of #OttCity’s highest-volume routes, at a stop two blocks away from a large festival (#OttawaPride). #OttTransit

4/
Screenshot of text messages to the OC Transpo bot that gives bus arrival times showing the next bus at 15:15, while the current time is 2:54.
August 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
When I arrive at the bus stop, I notice it’s covered up by a road sign, so I have to weave through waiting people to see the code for looking up bus times.

(Image from Google Maps to protect the privacy of people waiting there—but also demonstrates this isn’t a temporary condition.)

3/
Screenshot of Google Maps showing a crosswalk warning sign covering a bus stop sign.
August 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
I’m trying to get to the airport from #Centretown. Since this is not only the middle of #OttCity but the densest part, you’d think transit service would be pretty good.

But as usual, a trip via #OttTransit is almost 3x that by car.

2/
Screenshot of Google Maps showing a trip by car at 22 min and one by transit as 1 h 2 min.
August 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Kind of gobsmacking for @en.ottawa.ca to take these premises and draw the conclusion that people biking should *checks notes* just buzz off.

IF THERE’S NO SAFE CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE, IT’S YOUR JOB TO INSTALL SOME.

#OttBike #Autowa
Screenshot of newsletter that reads, “Cycling Route Planning in Ottawa: Avoid Sidewalks Many cyclists assume that the route they use for driving will also work for biking, but high-speed roads often lack safe cycling infrastructure. As a result, some people ride on sidewalks which is illegal in Ottawa unless clearly marked as a shared facility. Pedestrians always have priority in these areas and cyclists risk being fined. Sidewalk riding is unsafe for a number of reasons: Drivers expect slow-moving pedestrians on sidewalks, not fast-moving cyclists. Sidewalk riding endangers pedestrians, especially in narrow areas. A better option is to plan routes that avoid major roads that lack cycling infrastructure. Some tips for this are:” Screenshot of the newsletter that reads, “Some tips for this are: Take parallel residential streets: these tend to have lower vehicle speeds and be more comfortable. Safe crossings: Use Google Maps Streetview to preview bridges or underpasses over rivers, highways, or arterials to find a route you are comfortable with. Parks & pathways: some multi-use paths connect neighborhoods and avoid busy roads. Check Geo Ottawa or the City’s cycling map to see which ones allow cycling. If you must use a sidewalk, walk your bike until you reach a safer route.”
August 15, 2025 at 8:56 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Anyone know the deal with Mutchmor Rd and why it’s 15864 furlongs wide? Just living up to the name? The freeway through OOE that we always wanted but never got (yet)?

#Ottawa #OttCity
Screenshot of Google Maps Streetview showing an obscenely wide residential street.
August 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
This abundance book? 👀
Front cover of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World.”
June 12, 2025 at 4:06 PM
wvangeest.bsky.social
Spotted this absolute banger of a Yellow Lady’s Slipper today—my first in Ottawa.

If you don’t feel stuff like this is inherently good and its preservation imperative…I’m not sure I can help you.
Photo of a glorious yellow orchid with about six flower units (not a botanist). Surrounded by a few other low plants.
June 4, 2025 at 2:22 AM