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Martyn Schmoll

@martyn.bsky.social

Toronto. Vancouver. Safe streets. Strong towns. Next-generation cities and mobility. Progressive politics. Craft beer. Co-founder of betternorthshore.ca. Work: martynschmoll.com

435 Posts6915 Follower832 Folgt
Andrew Robertson@akhrobertson.bsky.social · 5mo ago

CNV GO Zone Improvement #1: Incentivize the right designs Surprisingly, re-legalizing 4-floor heritage style buildings by increasing floor space ratio and floor count limits can help multiplexes fit better into our neighbourhoods Let’s compare two ground oriented building styles to see how (1/9)

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Better North Shore@betternorthshore.bsky.social · 5mo ago

We are going backward on climate action. No carbon tax. A possible new pipeline. Now Vancouver is allowing gas heating and cooking back into new builds. Short term thinking. www.betternorthshore.ca/blog/carbon-...

Reducing carbon emissions and building more homes are NOT mutually exclusive goals — Better North Shore

Reducing carbon emissions and building more housing are not mutually exclusive goals. Better emission standards contribute to healthier populations and lower building operating costs over the long run...

betternorthshore.ca

Better North Shore@betternorthshore.bsky.social · 4w ago

The September newsletter is out! Get informed. See who’s running for council on the North Shore, find out about upcoming events, and have your say about the Roche Point Park Dedication in Seymour. www.betternorthshore.ca/newsletter/s...

September 2026 on the Shore — Better North Shore

Who’s running in the upcoming municipal elections? Find out here. Community events and Where on the Shore return after the summer break. Welcome back.

betternorthshore.ca

Mihai Cirstea@mihai-cirstea.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I'm inherently against cops ticketing cyclists for going through stop signs by default, but you'd be hard pressed to find a location more needlessly punitive than this one.

Vision Zero Vancouver@visionzerovancouver.ca · 2mo ago

Warning, hearing first-hand reports that the VPD are ticketing cyclists westbound at 1st & Crowe. There's a VPD parking lot on the right and a cop hit a cyclist there recently. Approx 0% of cars stop at this stop sign but they specifically said they're only targetting cyclists.

Better North Shore@betternorthshore.bsky.social · 6mo ago

A new development proposal in Lynn Valley Centre protects existing renters, sits steps from transit and shops, and checks every box in the Official Community Plan. So why is it still being built around the car? #housing #transportation #northvan www.betternorthshore.ca/blog/buildin...

Lynn Valley’s new housing proposal looks good. Its parking plan doesn’t. — Better North Shore

A new, 397-home development in Lynn Valley Centre is exactly the kind of project our community needs—and the opposition to it reveals exactly the kind of thinking we need to move past.

betternorthshore.ca

Martyn Schmoll@martyn.bsky.social · 6mo ago

The City of North Van scaled back its original traffic safety plan around the new Cloverley school to preserve on-street parking spaces. It’s a decision that’ll put kids at risk of being hit by drivers as they arrive/leave school. Ask them to reverse the decision at citycouncil@cnv.org.

Better North Shore@betternorthshore.bsky.social · 6mo ago

A school is reopening in North Van and that's exciting. We think some of the decisions around how kids can get there need to be revisited. #safestreets #northvan #visionzero www.betternorthshore.ca/blog/cloverl...

Elle@biknmusicmama.bsky.social · 6mo ago

From cycling under the light of moon on a beautiful night, to looking around and adding up the obscene amount of money we spend on cars, this article echoes so much of my thoughts about riding a bike and how CONNECTING it is- to people, to nature, to life- and how cars sever that connection.

I’m driving less. I don’t want to see the world through a driver’s eyes any more

Before I began driving less, I had long had a melancholic sense that the city lifestyle I lived was cut off from the seasons and nature

irishtimes.com

Better North Shore@betternorthshore.bsky.social · 7mo ago

We've built a North Shore where driving is the only realistic option for most trips. Safe, connected bike routes are a public health investment with a proven return. 💪 Here's the case www.betternorthshore.ca/blog/make-tr...

How I quit feeling guilty about not working out enough — Better North Shore

Riding an e‑bike turns errands and commuting into effortless, stealth exercise. When movement is the easiest option, the not exercising guilt disappears—not because we’re more disciplined, but becaus...

betternorthshore.ca

Martyn Schmoll@martyn.bsky.social · 6mo ago

A new development proposal in Lynn Valley Centre protects existing renters, sits steps from transit and shops, and checks every box in the Official Community Plan. So why is it still being built around the car? My latest for @betternorthshore.bsky.social www.betternorthshore.ca/blog/buildin...

Lynn Valley’s new housing proposal looks good. Its parking plan doesn’t. — Better North Shore

A new, 397-home development in Lynn Valley Centre is exactly the kind of project our community needs—and the opposition to it reveals exactly the kind of thinking we need to move past.

betternorthshore.ca

Andrew Robertson@akhrobertson.bsky.social · 8mo ago

City of North Vancouver is considering missing middle housing (6 homes/lot) in this map’s orange areas because of new BC law Most is in my childhood and current neighbourhood: Grand Boulevard Let’s look at Grand Boulevard and why it’s the perfect area to add more housing for families (1/7)

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Better North Shore@betternorthshore.bsky.social · 7mo ago

The housing crisis isn't just about cost. It's a credibility crisis. 🏚️ A generation increasingly feels the system isn't working for them — and so far, they're right. Read why housing has become a test of institutional trust, not just policy. 📖 www.betternorthshore.ca/blog/can-mis...

Can missing middle housing ever be truly affordable on the North Shore? — Better North Shore

Building more homes on a single lot doesn’t make housing truly affordable in the same way that it once was. But it does make homes incrementally cheaper.

betternorthshore.ca

Martyn Schmoll@martyn.bsky.social · 9mo ago

“In like 95% of situations where a disengagement or accident happens with autonomous vehicles, it’s a very regular, routine situation for humans … These are not challenging situations whatsoever.” www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

We Still Don’t Know if Robotaxis Are Safer Than Human Drivers

And even if self-driving technology proves to be less dangerous, there are many better ways to improve traffic safety and prevent fatal crashes.

bloomberg.com

Andrew Robertson@akhrobertson.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Calgary’s homes: 57% single-family, 27% apartments Vancouver: 15% SFH, 62% apartments CNV: 11% SFH vs 67% apartments Our politicians shouldn’t ignore these differences when looking at Calgary as a bellwether of public support for the missing middle housing choices that our younger residents need

Calgary's recent move to repeal multi-unit zoning provides 'beacon of hope' for some B.C. politicians

A big shift in Calgary's municipal politics is being welcomed as a hopeful sign by some British Columbians worried about densification.

vancouversun.com

Better North Shore@betternorthshore.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Want to know what District of North Vancouver is (not) doing to make sure we get affordable homes in every neighbourhood? Do you like dogs, climate solutions, beer, good conversation? Our November newsletter has something for everyone. Join our mailing list! www.betternorthshore.ca/newsletter/n...

November 2025 on the Shore — Better North Shore

Did the District of North Vancouver’s plan for how to accommodate growth go the dogs? Or what? Housing and Official Community Plans are the big issue this month in all three municipalities. Spotlight ...

betternorthshore.ca