Brent Toderian+

As you’re voting for Vancouver city council, no matter who else you vote for, I

As you’re voting for Vancouver city council, no matter who else you vote for, I encourage you to vote for @fabulavancouver.bsky.social. Most candidates underestimate the massive learning curve that comes AFTER winning. Frances has been smartly engaged with, & communicating, urban issues for decades.

We early-voted today in the Vancouver municipal election. Easy, no line. I voted

We early-voted today in the Vancouver municipal election. Easy, no line. I voted for candidates who champion better walking, biking & public transit; better people-places and smart street transformations; more housing and #DensityDoneWell with amenities & smart design; and budgets that create value.

Anti Intelligence

Anti Intelligence

It’s hard enough for cities in Canada to do smarter things given how often bad c

It’s hard enough for cities in Canada to do smarter things given how often bad city leaders hurt their own cities. But it’s extra infuriating watching awful provincial premiers sabotaging cities by ripping out good things they FINALLY managed to achieve. Premiers should not have that power, period.

"Ripping out these protected bike lanes against the will of Toronto city council

"Ripping out these protected bike lanes against the will of Toronto city council is a colossal waste of $48 million. The province’s own experts know it will not ease traffic congestion, it will put people’s lives at risk…” One of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen any politician do to any city. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bike-lane-removal-work-etobicoke-9.7374696

"Ripping out these protected bike lanes against the will of Toronto city council

"Ripping out these protected bike lanes against the will of Toronto city council is a colossal waste of $48 million. The province’s own experts know it will not ease traffic congestion, it will put people’s lives at risk…” One of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen any politician do to any city.

“The city’s transition away from the car, tho fantastically chaotic, has become

“The city’s transition away from the car, tho fantastically chaotic, has become a global role model. Under mayor Anne Hidalgo, Paris was ‘the most influential city in the world’ says Canadian urbanist Brent Toderian. Hidalgo, stepping down after 12 yrs, exulted: ‘The bike beat the car.’” #Paris

“One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.

“One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss.” “Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million/yr on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.” Investing in bike infrastructure saves money.

So based on Republican commentary, the new defination of socialism is literally

So based on Republican commentary, the new defination of socialism is literally anything that helps anyone who isn’t a billionaire.

“Someone with a 1-hr car commute needs to earn 40% more to be as happy as someon

“Someone with a 1-hr car commute needs to earn 40% more to be as happy as someone with a short walk to work. On the other hand, if someone shifts from a long commute to a walk, their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love.” #CityMakingMath 50 reasons for more walkable streets.

“Local stores next to the protected bike-lane have seen a 49% increase in sales,

“Local stores next to the protected bike-lane have seen a 49% increase in sales, compared to an average of 3% for Manhattan as a whole.” (Among MANY other public benefits.) Want To Make More Money? Build A Business On A Bike Lane. #CityMakingMath via @fastcompany.com #BikeLanesMeanBusiness

The Alberta separation referendum is a VERY dangerous kind of vote, & that’s exa

The Alberta separation referendum is a VERY dangerous kind of vote, & that’s exactly what Russian and American operatives are counting on…separatists will have a 100% turnout, while media reports that separation is unpopular make it seem like general turnout isn’t necessary. Turnout wins elections.

I found this interview utterly horrifying. It should be a wake up call for the h

I found this interview utterly horrifying. It should be a wake up call for the human race, no exaggeration. #Ai youtube.com/watch?v=lnLD...

Seriously, watch and share this.

Seriously, watch and share this.

This is still REALLY relevant.

This is still REALLY relevant.

The number of separatists in Alberta is very small, but every single one of them

The number of separatists in Alberta is very small, but every single one of them will vote in the separation referendum. It’s critical that everyone who doesn’t want separation votes as well, or else this could easily be Canada’s own Brexit moment. Don’t assume anything. Vote. 

“Alberta separatists have gone to D.C. offering fresh water and oil in exchange

“Alberta separatists have gone to D.C. offering fresh water and oil in exchange for American support – and Republican operatives have provided tactical assistance inside the province. Behind the cross-border effort to sway Alberta’s secession vote.” What’s the word for that? https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-alberta-separatism-canada-united-states-republican/

READ: “If bike lanes were actually removed today, the premier would lose his sca

READ: “If bike lanes were actually removed today, the premier would lose his scapegoat. How would he then explain worsening motor traffic congestion – an outcome that’s virtually assured given a growing population and his measures to induce driving by making it cheaper…” Via @spacing.bsky.social

“Alberta separatists have gone to D.C. offering fresh water and oil in exchange

“Alberta separatists have gone to D.C. offering fresh water and oil in exchange for American support – and Republican operatives have provided tactical assistance inside the province. Behind the cross-border effort to sway Alberta’s secession vote.” What’s the word for that?

It was never an accident

It was never an accident

“Canada remains the top country expected to have a positive influence on world a

“Canada remains the top country expected to have a positive influence on world affairs [10th year in a row]. Also among the top ranked countries are Germany (73%) and France (70%).” Via @cultmtl.com #Canada

Is lying about an act of socialism better or worse than socialism?

Is lying about an act of socialism better or worse than socialism?

If you’re interested in better public transit, and in particular bus rapid trans

If you’re interested in better public transit, and in particular bus rapid transit/bus-only lanes, read this thread by one of the smartest transit guys around, my friend @jeffreytumlin.bsky.social (former Director of Transportation for San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) #UrbanistShoutOut

This one is doing the rounds

This one is doing the rounds

Great reply. I redid my post though, can you repost yours to link to my new one?

Great reply. I redid my post though, can you repost yours to link to my new one? Thanks.

Gerrymandering is cheating and election-stealing. The massive money advantage is

Gerrymandering is cheating and election-stealing. The massive money advantage is corruption in action. Neither of these represents “an upset.” The media really needs to stop normalizing and enabling cheating, election-stealing and corruption.

Terry Fox. Michael J Fox. What is it about legendary, world-changing Canadian su

Terry Fox. Michael J Fox. What is it about legendary, world-changing Canadian super-heroes named Fox?

Here’s what we really need to focus a lot more discussion on — you don’t need to

Here’s what we really need to focus a lot more discussion on — you don’t need to hate cars in order to want people to have the CHOICE to walk, bike and take public transit in your city. Better cities provide more choices, and work better for EVERYONE. Bad cities offer only dependency. #CarDependency

This sounds scary as hell.

This sounds scary as hell.

In many ways Mark Carney is proving to be an excellent Prime Minister for Canada

In many ways Mark Carney is proving to be an excellent Prime Minister for Canada at a critical time in our nation’s history. But he also might be the smartest man in the world to act really stupidly about #ClimateChange at a critical time in world history.

A lot of liars really like to reference common sense. Too many cars driving too

A lot of liars really like to reference common sense. Too many cars driving too much in your city because of #CarDependency is the opposite of common sense. Polluting your air and fuelling #ClimateChange while limiting choices in how we can get around in cities is the opposite of common sense.

Have you seen this before?

Have you seen this before?

Resharing this post below. If you think I see standoffish when you come up to me

Resharing this post below. If you think I see standoffish when you come up to me, it’s not that, I’m just uncomfortable in such circumstances, and I’m likely trying my best to overcome that and failing. It’s different when I’m on stage or in a meeting, where it goes away.

Taking back the term “common sense” from the bad guys using it to lie about bett

Taking back the term “common sense” from the bad guys using it to lie about better cities, one post at a time.

I know the BC Conservatives will be much worse because I’ve watched and listened

I know the BC Conservatives will be much worse because I’ve watched and listened carefully to who they are, and because I’m VERY familiar with what’s been happening in Alberta and Ontario (the BC Conservatives are at least as bad). Voting for “Change” can be worse. Flesh eating disease is “change.”

A British Columbia election is coming. I’m able to separate my anger at BC Premi

A British Columbia election is coming. I’m able to separate my anger at BC Premier David Eby for calling an early election, and in general for the bad decisions that have greatly frustrated me, from my absolute certainty that the far right extremist BC Conservative Party would be much, MUCH worse.

It’s truly never too late to add joyful things into your life that take focus &

It’s truly never too late to add joyful things into your life that take focus & passion, with bonus points for nostalgia + bonding opportunities with your kids. I should have done this decades ago. Today I was figuring out the groove for John Bonham’s iconic “When The Levee Breaks”. SO much FUN! 2/

One of my unexpected new joys is that, in the later half of my 50s, I’ve gotten

One of my unexpected new joys is that, in the later half of my 50s, I’ve gotten back into drumming. I was a drummer in my parents band from age 5 to 14, but stopped, and for over 4 decades I’ve relentlessly hand-drummed on everything. But getting my 8yr old into drumming got me back into it too. 1/

There are many inspiring cities around the world for things like urban biking, i

There are many inspiring cities around the world for things like urban biking, including Montreal and Vancouver in North America, that can seriously change your perspective about what’s possible in cities with vision and real leadership. But it’s true that Copenhagen is on a whole different level.

I don’t think we can call that neutral anymore.

I don’t think we can call that neutral anymore.

I’m not sure if even those Americans who are full-on fighting Trump, MAGA and th

I’m not sure if even those Americans who are full-on fighting Trump, MAGA and the GOP can fully understand that the rest of the world looks at 37% STILL supporting the most obviously and completely corrupt, moronic and power-mad leader as evidence that the United States can’t ever be trusted again.

“Total U.S. traffic deaths also declined 3.8% in 2024 to 39k+, the lowest number

“Total U.S. traffic deaths also declined 3.8% in 2024 to 39k+, the lowest number recorded since 2020.… Given these successes, to quit Vision Zero and succumb to failure is a death sentence for thousands — especially children.” Via @planetizen.bsky.social #VisionZero

What if every city that declared a #ClimateEmergency actually acted like it’s an

What if every city that declared a #ClimateEmergency actually acted like it’s an emergency? What if every city that committed to #VisionZero actually acted like they meant it, prioritizing human lives in decision-making? What if every city’s budget actually reflect their approved plans & visions?

Reposting my message below as it’s relevent to upcoming municipal elections, the

Reposting my message below as it’s relevent to upcoming municipal elections, the BC Provincial Election, the Alberta Separatism Referendum, and a lot more voting chances coming up. We often vote for “change,” and it’s often badly needed, but never forget that a “change option” CAN BE EVEN WORSE.

Our conversations about badly needed change vs “community character” in cities a

Our conversations about badly needed change vs “community character” in cities are completely off-balance. Far too often I’ve seen “community character” trump not only ONE of the urgent public interests shown in this graphic, but it’s too often allowed to trump ALL of them. When did we decide that community character is more important than not just anything else, but EVERYTHING else? Community cha

The WAR ON WALKING has taken many forms around the world. All sorts of scales, c

The WAR ON WALKING has taken many forms around the world. All sorts of scales, contexts, policies, designs, rules and laws… in culture, in priorities, in norms & expectations. And certainly in budgets. In almost everything. But it’s often as simple as how we signal who space is and isn’t for. Once our eyes are opened to all the ways we’ve prioritized cars over people, we can’t unsee it. This is th

A #WarOnWalking. A war on biking. A war on public transit. A war on any trans

A #WarOnWalking. A war on biking. A war on public transit. A war on any transportation choice other than driving. A war on better cities. But a war on cars? Hardly. Cars still get most of the space, rights, budget, prioritization, etc. And any effort to add more choice is immediately attacked.

So far, my primary observation regarding Vancouver’s upcoming municipal election

So far, my primary observation regarding Vancouver’s upcoming municipal election is that the general chatter about “who should win” seems shockingly uninformed by the parties, candidate experience, etc, and seems driven almost entirely by name recognition. Doesn’t bode well for good decision-making.

Remember everyone, and every company, that bent the knee to him.

Remember everyone, and every company, that bent the knee to him.

We know that mobility in cities is about space. More specifically, more trips in

We know that mobility in cities is about space. More specifically, more trips in less space. We’ve seen lots of great images reinforcing that point. This one might be my favourite, from #Santiago, because it ALSO shows the inequality of having buses run in mixed traffic. Dedicated bus-only lanes.

The European Union is tightening the regulatory backdoor through which US automa

The European Union is tightening the regulatory backdoor through which US automakers have been quietly importing around 7k large SUVs and pickup trucks/year. “The revised rules, expected to launch in 2027, are designed to close loopholes that Brussels says allow unsafe vehicles onto European roads.”

“Some people see the future sooner than others, and they have the privilege of s

“Some people see the future sooner than others, and they have the privilege of showing the entire world the way.” Anyone care to guess who wrote this? No cheating by googling it. Hint, being a nerd would make knowing the answer more likely. A keyword is privilege. Not a right fuelled by arrogance.

Is there too much “Ai Slop” going around on social media? Absolutely. But when s

Is there too much “Ai Slop” going around on social media? Absolutely. But when some folks on here start vigorously attacking a photo I myself took as Ai Slop, it makes me wonder how stupid things could get real quick…

It’s funny, but I’ve found that LinkedIn has 3 natures now… 1st is essentially t

It’s funny, but I’ve found that LinkedIn has 3 natures now… 1st is essentially talking about your work accomplishment/successes… 2nd is spreading good information that relates to your profession… And 3rd is more casual posts about things you consider important. Increasingly like other platforms.

It’s actually intriguing to me that the only social media site where my followin

It’s actually intriguing to me that the only social media site where my following is still consistently growing, and hasn’t essentially stalled, is LinkedIn, which is my third largest following among my 6 social media sites.

The more car dependency that’s been designed into where you live, the more you’l

The more car dependency that’s been designed into where you live, the more you’ll perceive cars as freedom. That’s the insidious nature of dependency. Whether or not you like/want/need cars, why would you possibly support building cities and suburbs in ways that specifically create #CarDEPENDENCY?

People can be made so completely dependent on drugs, that they perceive those dr

People can be made so completely dependent on drugs, that they perceive those drugs to represent “freedom” for them. But can anything you’re that dependent on really make you “free?” That seems like a really warped defination of freedom. Now replace “drugs” with “cars.” Discuss. #CarDependency

If it isn’t clear, I’m talking about choices made to create car dependency, by g

If it isn’t clear, I’m talking about choices made to create car dependency, by government and interests that influence govt decisions. I’m not talking in this post about individual choices by people living within car dependency, since often that dependency completely skews any sense of real choice.

Media is reporting that the Alberta separatist side of referendum fund-raising,

Media is reporting that the Alberta separatist side of referendum fund-raising, and thus spending, is greatly outpacing the “stay in Canada” side. In the “on-line-chatter” too. That’s not surprising when you remember that separatism is being pushed by Russian and American disinformation purveyors.

The hardest part about posting about car DEPENDENCY in the context of the way we

The hardest part about posting about car DEPENDENCY in the context of the way we’ve deliberately designed cities, and especially suburbs, are people who reply in a way that shows they don’t understand what car dependency actually is. Before you reply, maybe look it up and learn a bit about it.

A good illustration why Seattle, which is often compared with Vancouver, often c

A good illustration why Seattle, which is often compared with Vancouver, often can’t/won’t accomplish better things in city-building. In this case, a far too powerful “landmarks board” that shouldn’t be able to veto badly needed #VisionZero public safety street design improvements.

So do any of those things, true as they are, mean that we should support everyon

So do any of those things, true as they are, mean that we should support everyone being car DEPENDENT? That EVERYONE should NEED a car for EVERYTHING because some people may always need a car for some things? The post you’re replying to was about the choices made every day to CREATE car dependency.

Car dependency wasn’t an inevitability. It was a choice. And once it was made, i

Car dependency wasn’t an inevitability. It was a choice. And once it was made, it didn’t become an inescapable trap, although it can feel that way. It just takes making different choices, that are hard at first (because that’s what dependency does), but that get easier. It takes vision and will.

READ THIS: How Amsterdam became the bicycle capital of the world. In the 1960s,

READ THIS: How Amsterdam became the bicycle capital of the world. In the 1960s, Dutch cities saw cars as the transport of the future. It took the intolerable toll of child traffic deaths —and fierce activism— to turn #Amsterdam into the urban biking nirvana of today. It took vision and leadership.

To be clear, any mayor or city council can do their own version of this in their

To be clear, any mayor or city council can do their own version of this in their city. The differentiator is will, or excuse. If they’re not, it’s because they’re choosing not to, either because they’ve wrongly convinced themselves they can’t, or because they don’t want to badly enough (or at all).

Don’t get me wrong, I admire Ossoff’s directness and messaging a great deal. He’

Don’t get me wrong, I admire Ossoff’s directness and messaging a great deal. He’s excellent. But can we all agree that saying that “President Trump is compromised” may be the biggest political understatement in history? 

We’re in an era where the fight against fascism and authoritarianism is on almos

We’re in an era where the fight against fascism and authoritarianism is on almost every ballot. Voting has always been important, but never more than now. Vote like your rights, your future, your vote itself, and even your life, are all on the line. Because there’s a very good chance they are.

Trump thinks he can control who everyone else can trade with. He tried it with C

Trump thinks he can control who everyone else can trade with. He tried it with Canada, and Canada walked away. Now he’s trying it with the EU. He will completely tank the US Economy & every international alliance the US had. Sounds like exactly what Putin would want him to do. What a coincidence.

So first Trump is destroying trade with Canada, and now he’s going to destroy tr

So first Trump is destroying trade with Canada, and now he’s going to destroy trade with the EU as well? Is there ANYONE out there that’s actually still confused about just how completely awful Trump is at the economy and making deals? www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...

Canada and Europe 'stronger together,' Carney says amid spat with US. Carney urg

Canada and Europe 'stronger together,' Carney says amid spat with US. Carney urged work to deepen ties "deliberately, systematically and rapidly." Need another reminder that Donald Trump is actually awful at making deals?

This seems REALLY important. To the United States, to Canada, to Europe, to the

This seems REALLY important. To the United States, to Canada, to Europe, to the whole world. youtube.com/shorts/9yJ1G...

One thing we can never do enough is celebrate our heroes while they’re still wit

One thing we can never do enough is celebrate our heroes while they’re still with us. Today’s the 90th birthday of the great urbanist Jan Gehl, who started as a hero to me and became a mentor & friend. I’m proud to have been asked to contribute to his celebration messages today. Happy birthday, Jan.

I probably gave similar advice when I was brought to Edinburgh years ago to insp

I probably gave similar advice when I was brought to Edinburgh years ago to inspire local thinking. Provocative outside thinkers providing specific advice rather than simplistic messaging CAN be a powerful catalyst for real change, but it still needs local leadership to actually make it happen.

If somehow you’ve never heard from and learned about Jan Gehl, WATCH this very s

If somehow you’ve never heard from and learned about Jan Gehl, WATCH this very small taste of his unique career, and his singular contribution to public spaces in particular. Reading “Life Between Buildings” when I was young literally changed the course of my career. share.google/razqbJ0n7T0g...

One thing we can never do enough is celebrate our heroes while they’re still wit

One thing we can never do enough is celebrate our heroes while they’re still with us. Today’s the 90th birthday of the great urbanist Jan Gehl, who started as a hero to me and became a mentor & friend. I’m proud to have been asked to contribute to his celebration messages today. Happy birthday, Jan.

Still true.

Still true.

$15K+ on average each year for each car in the United States. And Gas specifical

$15K+ on average each year for each car in the United States. And Gas specifically is 55% higher than six years ago. That’s a shocking cost, especially when u consider how much of the U.S. has been planned and designed to be functionally car dependent, and that often means multiple cars are needed.

Via the Urban Truth Collective! Check it out. #UrbanTruth https://www.urbantruth

Via the Urban Truth Collective! Check it out. #UrbanTruth https://www.urbantruthcollective.com/ #UrbanTruth

Sometimes the WAR ON WALKING results in no sidewalks at all. Sometimes they put

Sometimes the WAR ON WALKING results in no sidewalks at all. Sometimes they put “something” in — but does that really make things walkable for anyone except those without any other choices? The #WARonWALKING takes many forms, but it’s always about making things comfortable for vehicles, not people.

‘It’s the best feeling’: how Copenhagen gave cyclists a green wave. “Traffic li

‘It’s the best feeling’: how Copenhagen gave cyclists a green wave. “Traffic lights are synchronised so a rush-hour cyclist at 20km/h can catch green lights all the way.” If you want people to choose not to drive, make the non-driving trip better & easier for them. It’s as simple as that, really.

Was Vancouver’s Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extention until the end of summ

Was Vancouver’s Granville Street Pedestrian Zone extention until the end of summer a SUCCESS? I wasn’t shy with my answers in this CBC Radio inteview I did this past week, especially around the way we talk about costs vs value. Give it a listen & share, its only 7 minutes. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-46-on-the-coast/clip/16236437-granville-street-pedestrian-zone-comes-end

Don’t buy the lie about a war on cars. They’ve been waging a WAR ON WALKING for

Don’t buy the lie about a war on cars. They’ve been waging a WAR ON WALKING for a century. Once we open our eyes to the damage done by the #WarOnWalking, it’s impossible NOT to see it. And when we finally try to improve things, giving more options for people to get around our cities, and decreasing car DEPENDENCY, they have the audacity to claim that’s a #WarOnCars. This is our new campaign by the

There are so many important elements of successful city-building that we need to

There are so many important elements of successful city-building that we need to get much better at, especially as we increase urban densities. One element we continue to underestimate is the need to create beloved new people-places that support more joyful and successful cities. #DensityDoneWell

As cities seek to build the housing and urban density we badly need to address m

As cities seek to build the housing and urban density we badly need to address many of our biggest crises, we should never buy into the false choice of urban density OR urban green spaces and people-places. Never forget, the latter are critical for doing urban density successfully. #DensityDoneWell

WATCH: How do you actually achieve a successful pedestrian street or people-plac

WATCH: How do you actually achieve a successful pedestrian street or people-place pilot? My podcast episode with @activetowns is now LIVE, using Vancouver’s Granville Street pedestrianization led by #DowntownVan as a case study. Please watch/share! https://youtu.be/k4n1lErO_2k?si=qESas6sQUF3ltPEf

One of the most important street transformation & place-making pilots in North A

One of the most important street transformation & place-making pilots in North America. Despite many unusual challenges, the public support for Vancouver’s post-World Cup Granville Pedestrian Street has been REMARKABLE! This week is the last of the 7-week extention this summer. Let’s end it with a surge of support. And tell City Hall what you think! Take this SHORT SURVEY https://lnkd.in/grk4-WPX

“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way f

“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.” Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life. Common sense. Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2025/04/12/air-pollution-paris-health-cars/

WATCH: If you’re interested in turning streets for cars into places for people,

WATCH: If you’re interested in turning streets for cars into places for people, aka “pedestrian streets” (a VERY limiting term), watch (and share) my new podcast interview with the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement area, which I’ve been advising lately. Discusses Vancouver’s pedestrianized Granville Street that I’ve been helping with, but relevant to ANY city. And once you’ve watched it, com

Remember, don’t waste any time arguing whether #ClimateChange “caused” the curre

Remember, don’t waste any time arguing whether #ClimateChange “caused” the current #wildfires. Like EVERY consequence of the #ClimateCrisis, we KNOW that EACH WILDFIRE is made much more likely, and much worse, by the rapidly changing conditions from Climate Change. MORE LIKELY AND WORSE.

“We need an Ozempic for cars. They are growing at a phenomenal rate, wreaking ha

“We need an Ozempic for cars. They are growing at a phenomenal rate, wreaking havoc on roads, squeezing out smaller vehicles and endangering pedestrians. Like ever-hungry teenagers, cars in Europe are growing on average a centimetre wider every year.” Don’t repeat North America’s mistake, Europe. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/12/britain-car-suv-big-large-vehicle-road-pedestria

NEW: “This isn’t cutting edge anymore. It’s just learning from our own successes

NEW: “This isn’t cutting edge anymore. It’s just learning from our own successes & failures, and standing on the shoulders of smarter cities. Time to get it done.” My op-ed in today’s Vancouver Sun makes the case for a people-first Granville Street (& MORE streets) beyond the #WorldCup. https://vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/opinion-time-to-change-granville-street-for-good

Have you explored the new World Cup-themed Granville Street in downtown Vancouve

Have you explored the new World Cup-themed Granville Street in downtown Vancouver yet? It’s amazing. Filled with people, joy, and energy, it’s much more than just a vehicle-free “pedestrian zone.” It’s a great people-place that makes you want to go there, and then makes you want to stay. It makes the street, the neighbourhood, the downtown, and the city, better.

If walking costs you $1, we all pay $0.01. If biking costs you $1, we all pay $0

If walking costs you $1, we all pay $0.01. If biking costs you $1, we all pay $0.08. If bussing costs you $1, we all pay $1.50. If driving costs you $1, we all pay $9.20. Via study that still underestimates climate cost. This isn’t about choice. It’s about who pays for your choice. #citymakingmath

“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way f

“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.” Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life. Common sense. Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2025/04/12/air-pollution-paris-health-cars/

“During the 1950s-60s, the rise in automobile traffic transformed Dutch cities,

“During the 1950s-60s, the rise in automobile traffic transformed Dutch cities, resulting in traffic congestion, pollution, & an alarming increase in crashes. In 1971, more than 3,300 people lost their lives in crashes, including 400 children. These shocking numbers led to public protests…” Change. https://nowsustainability.com/the-bicycle-revolution-in-the-netherlands-how-cycling-transformed-the-

NEW: The Highway Lobby spend MILLIONS buying car dependency to make sure all of

NEW: The Highway Lobby spend MILLIONS buying car dependency to make sure all of us have to spend BILLIONS. #UrbanTruth They’ve “been shaping transportation policy conversations for decades in its interests.” Via the Union of Concerned Scientists. Poster by our Urban Truth Collective. https://blog.ucs.org/kshen/the-highway-lobby-spends-millions-to-make-sure-we-pay-billions/

“Both Russian and pro-Trump U.S. actors are amplifying and spreading misinformat

“Both Russian and pro-Trump U.S. actors are amplifying and spreading misinformation about Alberta separatism in the hope of fraying Canadian unity and sowing distrust.” An overt attack on Canadian sovereignty, meant specifically to manipulate Canadians. That’s what’s fuelling Alberta separation. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/russia-and-u-s-amplifying-alberta-separatist-narratives-to-stoke

“If you care about the bottom line, budgets & taxes, then you should care about

“If you care about the bottom line, budgets & taxes, then you should care about urban biking, because it’s a money saver. It’s ironic when so-called fiscal conservatives attack biking, when their efforts just show a lack of understanding of math.” — My interview with @modacitylife. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/biking-saves-money

NEW: The One-Hour City Conspiracy! “Here's the REAL conspiracy: Too many people

NEW: The One-Hour City Conspiracy! “Here's the REAL conspiracy: Too many people are forced into car-dependent lives, with more health harms, crashes, noise, air pollution, social isolation —& less space for everything our streets should be giving us.” Thanks @Streetsblog! #1HourCityConspiracy https://usa.streetsblog.org/2026/04/27/urban-truth-collective-the-one-hour-city-conspiracy