Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡

@chanface.bsky.social

πŸŽ™οΈπŸšŒ Co-host of @dwelltime.ca, a transit podcast 🚊🚲 Co-lead at @TriTAG.ca Transit Politics & Planning | Housing | Cities | 24 | @uwaterloo.ca Planning | Toronto/Waterloo | πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆπŸ‡­πŸ‡°

6.6K followers3.4K following7.7K posts

This was such a fun episode to record with @jahorne.bsky.social and @denisagar.bsky.social! Unlocked a hidden memory about NUMTOTs, I haven't heard that term in a WHILE... we've all switched to different terms like transit fans/nerds and "foamers" lol

Ep. 9 is out! @jahorne.bsky.social has been a bright presence on social media, always posting about transportation and urbanism but with a personal, joyful flair. We talking about his career path, and his role in the legendary Facebook group NUMTOT Links to all podcast platforms ⬇️ or dwelltime.ca

Goes to show we can just build fast and do whatever the fuck we want if we really wanted to without years of environmental assessment, studies, and consultation. Imagine if we put the same energy into housing, high speed rail, renewable energy, etc,

Kanchan@kayehm.bsky.social

I know no one gives a F about safety or the law when the province is involved - but those workers & police should be wearing PPE for this work. Did they cover the catchbasins? Did they warn residents to close windows? The city would never get away with this. www.gazzolapaving.com/files/employ...

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡ reposted

I know no one gives a F about safety or the law when the province is involved - but those workers & police should be wearing PPE for this work. Did they cover the catchbasins? Did they warn residents to close windows? The city would never get away with this. www.gazzolapaving.com/files/employ...

Devan Marr@devanmarr.bsky.social

TPS is going to have one hell of a WSIAT file for respiratory issues. At least we slowed them down tonight. It ain’t over till it’s over. And itβ€˜s never over.

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡ reposted

Back to this. #BikeTO What's going to happen next? Now that we know they are going to have a police presence (at whatever cost) and that permits don't matter, they'll likely continue with daytime work instead of overnight. Easier to get police, safer, better weather.

Kanchan@kayehm.bsky.social

Some construction background info so y'all are equipped: Paving and line marking have limited temperature windows. Ideally it's above 5-7C and dry (the hotter and dryer the better). Anything below that and the materials don't work so good. Overnight work is best due to traffic management, but..

Gil, as a founder of 8-80 cities this is extremely dissapointing. You're supporting a candidate who voted to cut TTC service, raise fares, & has committed to remove bike lanes. Do you truly support building a city where 8 year olds & 80 year olds can thrive if they have poor transportation options?

Gil Penalosa@penalosag.bsky.social

Why I am supporting BRADFORD for MAYOR of Toronto. Because Bradford listens. Evaluates new information, and if necessary, he changes opinion. Which is what good mayors must do. Chow? Not much done past 3 years. Future? No ideas. No bold projects. Wasted opportunity.

He also seems to support Nathalie Johnson, whose whole campaign is about rebuilding the Gardiner faster with a Logan Ave ramp. And Lily Cheng who’s a big supporter of parking. (Tho she’s still the best option in Willowdale). 8-80 cities for people of all ages & abilities to drive + park I guess.

Gil Penalosa@penalosag.bsky.social

Toronto and all cities in Ontario: VOTE! The minimum action having the privilege to live in a democracy is to VOTE. We need term limits AND ranked ballots. There are amazing people ready to step in. It'll improve our democracy. VOTE. For your best choice. VOTE. #NoExcuses!

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡ reposted

Housing advocate says we need to emulate a city with one of the most expensive housing markets in the world.

Alex Bozikovic@alexbozikovic.bsky.social

So Farha is calling for midrise buildings everywhere? Or just opposing all new housing while suggesting no alternative?

In the context of rising transit construction costs, 29km of BRT for $195M ($6.7M/km) is pretty decent! (LRT in US & Canada costs over $100M minimum these days, sometimes reaching over $500M)

His video explains some of the trade-offs, and warns that BRT can be more easily watered down due to the flexibility of the mode, leaving it more vulnerable to political backlash in the planning process that can remove the very things that make it fast, like dedicated lanes, turn restrictions, etc.

Chow needs to act with more urgency on speeding up transit not just affordability. I know there’s been some progress but it’s at a glacial pace. Slow zones are still terrible, TSP roll-out has been lackluster, and two RapidTO routes only got approved bc of FIFA.

On the other hand: bsky.app/profile/ttcr...

TTCriders@ttcriders.bsky.social

It’s an alarming trend. Bradford didn’t respond to surveys from us, Cycle Toronto, Toronto Environmental Alliance, ACORN and many others. It’s important to know where candidates stand on the most important issues facing the city. Transit. Cycling. Climate change. Housing. Who is he listening to?

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡ reposted

It’s an alarming trend. Bradford didn’t respond to surveys from us, Cycle Toronto, Toronto Environmental Alliance, ACORN and many others. It’s important to know where candidates stand on the most important issues facing the city. Transit. Cycling. Climate change. Housing. Who is he listening to?

Dave Gray-Donald@dgrdon.bsky.social

Transit advocacy group @ttcriders.bsky.social did an extensive survey of Toronto election candidates, asking if they would commit to 18 priorities. Chow committed to all of them. Bradford didn't respond. Christian Malong digs into it for @thegrindto.bsky.social.

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡ reposted

No, no. We've been assured it's too hilly and too snowy for Toronto to be a great cycling city. So this can't be true for the hillier and snowier Montreal.

Momentum Magazine@momentummag.bsky.social

Montreal ranks second among the world’s best cycling cities, according to new survey. momentummag.com/montreal-ran...

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡ reposted

We had decades to densify areas like Bloor West in more gentle ways and the residents always said no. It drove a housing crisis so bad that the province stepped in and required towers be allowed near transit stations. I doubt the residents will understand it that way. www.thestar.com/real-estate/...

thestar.comA 15-storey tower is dividing Bloor West Village. Will the community be changed forever?Once built, the 60-unit tower will be the only one on the strip. Locals say it will kill the area’s vibe.

Amid the Bloor West bike lane removals, it is important to remember that right-wing β€œbikelash” isn’t just an Ontario thing Far-right parties in Spain, Sweden, Alberta, USA, etc. are removing/rejecting/defunding bike infrastructure as an attack urban residents and to prop up fossil fuel corporations

The Breach@breachmedia.ca

Doug Ford’s war on bike lanes isn’t about trafficβ€”it’s part of a global right-wing backlash to vilify urban residents and defend fossil fuel interests. @desmondcole.bsky.social reports from the frontlines of the showdown in Toronto. breachmedia.ca/doug-ford-bi...

My sign that TPS glared at all night made the news for a split second lol β€œToronto Police Should Keep Torontonians Safe” (Other side says: β€œBike Lanes Keep All Road Users Safe”) 3 min CTV News clip here: www.instagram.com/reel/DegHBq5...

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡@chanface.bsky.social

They then called in a β€œpublic order” unit and blocked off the whole street causing congestion. Apparently you need an overkill amount to intimidate people with a cane and wheelchair.

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡ reposted

The Toronto Police arrested Aly Van Wyck-Smart, a Paralympian with cerebral palsy who was protecting part of the bike lane from removal. On the bright side, the construction workers put the bollards back and said we'd won for the day.

Took Line 6 Finch West LRT last night as a little treat to decompress after the bike lane removal protest. Happy to share that end to end trip time was ~35 mins from Humber College to Finch West! (8:40pm - 9:15)

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡@chanface.bsky.social

Finch West LRT finally has real transit signal priority! Phase rotation is active at multiple intersections, such as Finch & Signet/Arrow. This means adjusting the car left-turn signal in real time based on predicted LRT arrivals to minimize transit delay. Video: @ontariotrafficman.bsky.social

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡ reposted

Replying to @chanface.bsky.social

Permit was updated 10h ago 2 minutes each day they can't work 🫠

Rodney πŸš§πŸš‡ reposted

A cop car carrying a flashing neon sign that says "DOUG FORD HATES YOU." Perfect, no notes, thanks for the great visual @ TV writers of the universe!