It is bizarre that I feel more self-conscious of my giant vehicle and the space it takes up when I am using my cargo bike, rather than my car. It’s hard to shake #carbrain!
Elisabeth
@affabletoaster.bsky.social
Knitter, singer, reader, rider of bikes in Hfx, NS. Mum to Pebble & Rex (not their real names.) 🩷💜💙🚲🇨🇦 (she/her) Reluctant urbanist (I love cities; I just wanna enjoy my life, not fight for it!)
The Dutch Village bike lanes are appreciated on my now several-times-per-week trips to Centennial Arena, but man, do they ever disappear right when you’ve got your bike pointed straight up a steep hill and could really use the buffer! #hfxbike
At age 3 kiddo said to us (while riding his balance bike on the sidewalk): “why does the road go on and on, but the sidewalk always ends?”
#KidicalMassHfx And to the twit who got mad that we were “bringing the kids into [our] agenda,” behold, the kids’ agenda:
So much fun (and such beautiful weather!) for today’s #KidicalMassHfx! A friend who has been meaning to come for a while made it today with her partner and wee one, and they had a wonderful time. Huge thanks to the organizers and marshals, who made this joy and freedom possible for our kids!
I call this “People shouldn’t have to be locals to know if they’re driving in a bike lane,” or perhaps “Signage and paint aren’t very effective.” This afternoon, Vernon & Quinpool, Halifax, NS.
ebooks are coming to @libro.fm! soon youll be able to buy ebooks and support your favorite bookstore (🥹👉👈) at the same time instead of the big evil guys! if you haven’t signed up yet for libro now is an excellent time to check them out! libro.fm/kingscoop
A couple afternoons ago at Vernon & Quinpool. (I don’t know the riders in front of us.) Truck had Alberta plates and was pulling a boat (towering over us on the left, out of frame). Note that the light is red, but the only lane where the users are behind the stop line is the bike lane.
Just a reminder, It only takes 2 kids on a school bus to make it worth while when considering traffic congestion. -Modern busses and luxury trucks use very similar engines. -Two SUVs add up to one bus in total length. -Spending money on Americans (especially kids) is never a waste of money.
It would be so cool if we had shade on the south side of the Commons pool.
One of P’s only grumpy observations on our rides this week: “Mom, who invented hills in cities!?” If you know, please connect us. She would like a word.
A little #bikejoy for your Friday: This summer Pebble is usually biking to camp on her own bike, parent in tow. This week that meant an 11+ km round trip! After the first couple days she asked if she could be the “map,” going first and signalling for me where we were going next. She has aced it.
Does anyone know of a good analysis I could read regarding the pros/cons of the Robie St widening project? I’m shallowly aware of some arguments for and against it, but I’m sure there are factors I could stand to know more about.
Siiigh. Crew doing work on one of the new buildings on Almon St wanted to prevent drivers from entering, so they placed four yellow cones in the bike lane to block the driveway. I forgot to grab a photo before I moved them back, out of the lane.
Oh, hahaha, I forgot to mention that yesterday in the South Park southbound bike lane there were some folks who had laid a ladder across 2/3 of the protected lane. I had to remind them it was a safety hazard. 🙄
Driver shenanigans today, while I was with kids on the bike. Driver 1 was stopped in the bike box on Bell Rd (inbound) and must not have liked my disappointed headshake, so further down Bell he made sure to drive in and block the bike lane so we couldn’t pass the stopped cars. 🙄
Another parent approached me at camp drop off today to ask about our cargo bike. They’re a biking family who just had their third kid and are using their car more than they want to. We had a great chat! I told them about options at Halifax Cycles, and gave them a Kidical Mass tag. They’re psyched!
Antidote to my grumpy rant, here’s some #bikejoy! P has been practicing one-handed (and sometimes no-handed!) riding and has been using her new skill to wave at everyone we pass. She is so proud and feels *fabulous.*
I *love* seeing kids’ brains go to work on our poor bike infra. Pebble and I were going E on Almon past Agricola, where the protected lane ends and you have to merge. P points out the parked cars and says, “This is why we need separate lanes. If you don’t keep them out people park there.” #BikeHfx
Halifax isn’t really a kid-friendly city. But what if it were? What if we invested in what matters? Join us at #KidicalMassHfx on Sunday, July 12 at 9:30am to see what a kid-friendlier city could look like! hfx.bike/kidical-mass...
First ride to camp of Summer 2026. We’re back, baybee! #hfxbike #kidicalmasshfx #bikejoy
Sitting in a Subway overhearing the girl behind the counter talking with some customers. It comes up that she’s Ukrainian, and they’re asking her if her family is fighting in the war. She says some of her family is here, but her grandparents are still in Ukraine; it’s too hard for them to leave. /?
This is a fantastic article and I'm glad to see this issue getting wider coverage. I am also glad the article focuses on how these giant vehicles are marketed as a way to assert your dominance over other road users.
David Ho@davidho.bsky.social · 3mo agoThe rise of larger vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks, with their taller hoods and larger blind zones, has contributed to a 75% increase in pedestrian and cyclist deaths since 2009. Until we design better streets and ban these vehicles, people outside these vehicles will keep dying.
Hey #hfxbike & #kidicalmasshfx folks, anyone looking for a lightweight 20” kids’ bike? There’s an Opus on Marketplace right now that looks great!
Spotted something useful in traffic this morning. (Passenger photo ofc.)
If I'm gonna ignore the humor in this, I have to point out that it's extremely common for this "driver accidentally hits gas instead brake" excuse, and if it were any other form of transportation, governments would be intervening on this deadly design issue.
Car Into Building@carintobuilding.bsky.social · 5mo agoCar into optometrist's office 🤓 Bristol, Connecticut #CarIntoBuilding
“That’s what Darth Vader would drive” Yes kiddo. Yes indeed
