Chris Ritsma
@hambicycleguy.bsky.social
From urbanism, arises cultures 🌆
#YIMBY for market & social housing, rides a #bicycle 🚲, thinks Car Dependence is destroying our society living in #HamOnt🔨
#YIMBY for market & social housing, rides a #bicycle 🚲, thinks Car Dependence is destroying our society living in #HamOnt🔨
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
Is there any more depressing story in urbanism than the fact that people kept cutting down speed cameras in Toronto, and then the premier just… agreed with them and banned speed cameras across the province?
It honestly makes me so mad.
It honestly makes me so mad.
All of Toronto's speed cameras are gone. How did we get to this point? | CBC News
Toronto's speed cameras may be gone, but this time there are no mysterious vandals wielding power tools, no blurry suspect photos and no police investigation.
www.cbc.ca
December 2, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Is there any more depressing story in urbanism than the fact that people kept cutting down speed cameras in Toronto, and then the premier just… agreed with them and banned speed cameras across the province?
It honestly makes me so mad.
It honestly makes me so mad.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
If you go to a suburban mall, you will probably have to park outside and walk in. You don’t expect to drive in to your store.
But for some reason in urban areas it’s considered an injustice if you can’t park directly in front of the store you want to go to.
But for some reason in urban areas it’s considered an injustice if you can’t park directly in front of the store you want to go to.
December 2, 2025 at 7:25 PM
If you go to a suburban mall, you will probably have to park outside and walk in. You don’t expect to drive in to your store.
But for some reason in urban areas it’s considered an injustice if you can’t park directly in front of the store you want to go to.
But for some reason in urban areas it’s considered an injustice if you can’t park directly in front of the store you want to go to.
A thought I had about a mix of housing types, is that it's quite nice to be able to rent and find a neighbourhood you like before committing to buying, we have, and we know two other couples that bought a place ~100-250m from where they rented previously.
November 29, 2025 at 9:35 PM
A thought I had about a mix of housing types, is that it's quite nice to be able to rent and find a neighbourhood you like before committing to buying, we have, and we know two other couples that bought a place ~100-250m from where they rented previously.
Pre-war neighbourhoods just look so much more beautiful in the snow than new neighbourhoods.
November 29, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Pre-war neighbourhoods just look so much more beautiful in the snow than new neighbourhoods.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
Had a 97 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Magnificent vehicle—I want another one. Felt "big" when I got it, not dangerously so, just... "We're not in my dad's Lada anymore, Toto."
Now?
Source (and more pics): www.reddit.com/r/CherokeeXJ...
Now?
Source (and more pics): www.reddit.com/r/CherokeeXJ...
November 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Had a 97 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Magnificent vehicle—I want another one. Felt "big" when I got it, not dangerously so, just... "We're not in my dad's Lada anymore, Toto."
Now?
Source (and more pics): www.reddit.com/r/CherokeeXJ...
Now?
Source (and more pics): www.reddit.com/r/CherokeeXJ...
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual General Meeting last night at Collective Arts🎉! It was so nice to be back together to recap another incredible year of cycling in #HamOnt. Cycle Hamilton is officially 10 years old, and we would not be here without your support!
November 28, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual General Meeting last night at Collective Arts🎉! It was so nice to be back together to recap another incredible year of cycling in #HamOnt. Cycle Hamilton is officially 10 years old, and we would not be here without your support!
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
“The vacated homes were substantially cheaper than the new units and spanned diverse locations and housing types.”
When people move into new housing developments, they free up space in older housing. This is good for housing affordability and availability.
When people move into new housing developments, they free up space in older housing. This is good for housing affordability and availability.
Interesting new working paper that studies chains of movers after the construction of a new apartment building in Honolulu.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
uhero.hawaii.edu
November 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
“The vacated homes were substantially cheaper than the new units and spanned diverse locations and housing types.”
When people move into new housing developments, they free up space in older housing. This is good for housing affordability and availability.
When people move into new housing developments, they free up space in older housing. This is good for housing affordability and availability.
The power of mid-rise construction and no parking minimums is 68 units of housing from foundation to this in 2 months.
The Point rentals in Hamilton by Yoke Group. The right photo is render of completed project.
The Point rentals in Hamilton by Yoke Group. The right photo is render of completed project.
November 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The power of mid-rise construction and no parking minimums is 68 units of housing from foundation to this in 2 months.
The Point rentals in Hamilton by Yoke Group. The right photo is render of completed project.
The Point rentals in Hamilton by Yoke Group. The right photo is render of completed project.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
Fun little evening side quest: the subway and streetcar network in April 1954, but in contemporary style.
November 28, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Fun little evening side quest: the subway and streetcar network in April 1954, but in contemporary style.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
I want to finally do a video on sidewalk plows and the problem of leaving snowy sidewalks to homeowners.
If anyone has examples of poorly cleared sidewalks that I can use, attach them here!
Important: mention the city. Also, preferred attribution (if any). Otherwise, default is screen name.
If anyone has examples of poorly cleared sidewalks that I can use, attach them here!
Important: mention the city. Also, preferred attribution (if any). Otherwise, default is screen name.
November 27, 2025 at 3:01 AM
I want to finally do a video on sidewalk plows and the problem of leaving snowy sidewalks to homeowners.
If anyone has examples of poorly cleared sidewalks that I can use, attach them here!
Important: mention the city. Also, preferred attribution (if any). Otherwise, default is screen name.
If anyone has examples of poorly cleared sidewalks that I can use, attach them here!
Important: mention the city. Also, preferred attribution (if any). Otherwise, default is screen name.
Happy to see a paramedic cycling on my way to work this morning. I'm seeing more and more people commuting by bicycle, even in our 8 months of frigid winter.
November 27, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Happy to see a paramedic cycling on my way to work this morning. I'm seeing more and more people commuting by bicycle, even in our 8 months of frigid winter.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
The Best Cycling City No One Talks About
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
The Best Cycling City No One Talks About
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 6:19 PM
The Best Cycling City No One Talks About
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
with (among many others) @burgundavia.bsky.social and @ryanjabs.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
Blasting past rush hour traffic on the completed portion of Dufferin RapidTO (up to Dundas)
November 27, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Blasting past rush hour traffic on the completed portion of Dufferin RapidTO (up to Dundas)
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
Thanks to @taras-grescoe.com for calling it a “light metro” instead of light rail 👍
“Riding that train made me feel like Canada was finally building transit fit for the 21st century, a worthy counterpart to the systems that are now common in Asian and European cities.”
“Riding that train made me feel like Canada was finally building transit fit for the 21st century, a worthy counterpart to the systems that are now common in Asian and European cities.”
Montreal's New Rail Line Is the Future - Macleans.ca
Canada has forgotten how to build fast, cheap transit. A new megaproject has the fix.
macleans.ca
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Thanks to @taras-grescoe.com for calling it a “light metro” instead of light rail 👍
“Riding that train made me feel like Canada was finally building transit fit for the 21st century, a worthy counterpart to the systems that are now common in Asian and European cities.”
“Riding that train made me feel like Canada was finally building transit fit for the 21st century, a worthy counterpart to the systems that are now common in Asian and European cities.”
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
When the US was swept with the new-streetcars-mixed-with-traffic fad in the 00s, Canada didn’t build a single one. They only built rail in exclusive lanes.
I wonder if that’s because most educated Canadians have visited Toronto and experienced its old streetcar lines.
I wonder if that’s because most educated Canadians have visited Toronto and experienced its old streetcar lines.
November 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
When the US was swept with the new-streetcars-mixed-with-traffic fad in the 00s, Canada didn’t build a single one. They only built rail in exclusive lanes.
I wonder if that’s because most educated Canadians have visited Toronto and experienced its old streetcar lines.
I wonder if that’s because most educated Canadians have visited Toronto and experienced its old streetcar lines.
Honestly, one of experiences talking to and working with staff is that rarely do they actually *use* the end result of their work. Like I don't think most staff will ride a bicycle on York Blvd after it's complete, so I'm not completely against staff experiencing this event venue.
UPDATED
Clr Tammy Hwang confirms she attended Tuesday's 'VIP concert' with her family, office staff and their families.
Clr Brad Clark did not attend, adding he did not accept the free tickets even to distribute in the community.
Still no response from City Hall regarding 'work plan' docs #yhmcc
Clr Tammy Hwang confirms she attended Tuesday's 'VIP concert' with her family, office staff and their families.
Clr Brad Clark did not attend, adding he did not accept the free tickets even to distribute in the community.
Still no response from City Hall regarding 'work plan' docs #yhmcc
Hamilton Mayor, Councillors, Senior Managers Say They Were 'Working' While Attending Invite-Only Earth, Wind & Fire Concert
Mayor Horwath and City Manager state senior staff and council members were working by reviewing the facility and providing feedback on the newly renovated entertainment facility.
thepublicrecord.ca
November 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Honestly, one of experiences talking to and working with staff is that rarely do they actually *use* the end result of their work. Like I don't think most staff will ride a bicycle on York Blvd after it's complete, so I'm not completely against staff experiencing this event venue.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
If Montreal hadn’t started building the metro in the 60s, would we be trying to build it today as a tram? Crazy to think.
Trams have their place! (Let’s convert some well-used medium-distance bus routes to trams.)
But not as the high-capacity long-distance spine of a transit network in a big city.
Trams have their place! (Let’s convert some well-used medium-distance bus routes to trams.)
But not as the high-capacity long-distance spine of a transit network in a big city.
The Transit "Experts" That Derail Transit.
My Grand Theory of North America's Transit Expansion Failures.
nextmetro.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
If Montreal hadn’t started building the metro in the 60s, would we be trying to build it today as a tram? Crazy to think.
Trams have their place! (Let’s convert some well-used medium-distance bus routes to trams.)
But not as the high-capacity long-distance spine of a transit network in a big city.
Trams have their place! (Let’s convert some well-used medium-distance bus routes to trams.)
But not as the high-capacity long-distance spine of a transit network in a big city.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
3rd pedestrian killed this week.
This story also includes a paragraph about 2 other hit-and-runs this week.
"A woman was also hit by an impaired driver that mistakenly drove on the rail trail in west #HamOnt."
"A woman was also hit by an impaired driver that mistakenly drove on the rail trail in west #HamOnt."
Hamilton man, 83, killed while walking dog; third pedestrian death in a week
Man struck in a crosswalk Thursday highlights ongoing concerns about high-risk intersections and speeding
www.thespec.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:21 PM
3rd pedestrian killed this week.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
When the “Neighborhood Bikeway” has ZERO traffic calming. Paint and signs will never be enough.
November 20, 2025 at 12:06 AM
When the “Neighborhood Bikeway” has ZERO traffic calming. Paint and signs will never be enough.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
If someone eventually dies at every intersection we’ll finally have road safety through reactive intervention. God forbid we should do anything proactive for once
City Council is debating pedestrian safety following the death of two pedestrians in Hamilton during the past week.
They'll make safety improvements at the locations people died.
Staff directed to conduct safety reviews. #yhmcc
They'll make safety improvements at the locations people died.
Staff directed to conduct safety reviews. #yhmcc
November 19, 2025 at 5:16 PM
If someone eventually dies at every intersection we’ll finally have road safety through reactive intervention. God forbid we should do anything proactive for once
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
The review will include consideration of implementing a right-turn on red restriction at Upper Wentworth and Mohawk
Simiilar to what happen at York/Wilson and James, where change was made after a fatality
Right turn on red remains permitted at four high-risk downtown intersections #yhmcc (1/2)
Simiilar to what happen at York/Wilson and James, where change was made after a fatality
Right turn on red remains permitted at four high-risk downtown intersections #yhmcc (1/2)
City Council is debating pedestrian safety following the death of two pedestrians in Hamilton during the past week.
They'll make safety improvements at the locations people died.
Staff directed to conduct safety reviews. #yhmcc
They'll make safety improvements at the locations people died.
Staff directed to conduct safety reviews. #yhmcc
November 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The review will include consideration of implementing a right-turn on red restriction at Upper Wentworth and Mohawk
Simiilar to what happen at York/Wilson and James, where change was made after a fatality
Right turn on red remains permitted at four high-risk downtown intersections #yhmcc (1/2)
Simiilar to what happen at York/Wilson and James, where change was made after a fatality
Right turn on red remains permitted at four high-risk downtown intersections #yhmcc (1/2)
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
Hamilton, where they don’t want concertgoers at the newly renovated arena to have to look at the poors.
CHCH News will be airing a report shorting on the new sidewalk curtain that was erected this morning in front of the Salvation Army Booth Centre earlier today.
Watch them live on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KXl...
(People were asking me about this today) #HamOnt
Watch them live on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KXl...
(People were asking me about this today) #HamOnt
November 19, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Hamilton, where they don’t want concertgoers at the newly renovated arena to have to look at the poors.
Canadians will wonder why there's a housing crisis and their kids can't afford to move out, but then an article about an unpermitted 4plex home which is honestly fine if it had permits is called "towering" and "out of place" and the prior home called "modest" because it fit in.
November 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Canadians will wonder why there's a housing crisis and their kids can't afford to move out, but then an article about an unpermitted 4plex home which is honestly fine if it had permits is called "towering" and "out of place" and the prior home called "modest" because it fit in.
Reposted by Chris Ritsma
Honestly, Ontario banning speed cameras and most bike lanes is a pretty big blow to urbanist optimism in Canada.
The province is 40% of Canada’s population!
The province is 40% of Canada’s population!
November 15, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Honestly, Ontario banning speed cameras and most bike lanes is a pretty big blow to urbanist optimism in Canada.
The province is 40% of Canada’s population!
The province is 40% of Canada’s population!