Ray Straatsma
@rstreets.bsky.social
“Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will” (A. Gramsci)
#yyj #VictoriaBC Lekwungen Territory
#yyj #VictoriaBC Lekwungen Territory
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Muting a Black woman to claim the vote was unanimous is so incredibly on the nose
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
December 18, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Muting a Black woman to claim the vote was unanimous is so incredibly on the nose
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
December 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
This is the fossil fuel industry spraypainting the lens on the security cameras while they carry off the heist
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
www.usatoday.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:16 AM
This is the fossil fuel industry spraypainting the lens on the security cameras while they carry off the heist
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Trumpflation:
Trump now says his ballroom will cost $400 million (it was supposed to cost $250 million less than two months ago)
December 17, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Trumpflation:
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
NCAR is quite literally our global mothership.
Everyone who works in climate and weather has passed through its doors and benefited from its incredible resources.
Dismantling NCAR is like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet.
Unbelievable.
Everyone who works in climate and weather has passed through its doors and benefited from its incredible resources.
Dismantling NCAR is like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet.
Unbelievable.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
www.usatoday.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:59 AM
NCAR is quite literally our global mothership.
Everyone who works in climate and weather has passed through its doors and benefited from its incredible resources.
Dismantling NCAR is like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet.
Unbelievable.
Everyone who works in climate and weather has passed through its doors and benefited from its incredible resources.
Dismantling NCAR is like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet.
Unbelievable.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
wow.
our infrastructure was built for a climate that no longer exists...
we're not even at 1.5C of warming
our infrastructure was built for a climate that no longer exists...
we're not even at 1.5C of warming
December 16, 2025 at 8:23 PM
wow.
our infrastructure was built for a climate that no longer exists...
we're not even at 1.5C of warming
our infrastructure was built for a climate that no longer exists...
we're not even at 1.5C of warming
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
It’s important to contextualize just how much less safe American drivers are than everywhere else in the world, and it’s getting worse!
December 13, 2025 at 5:15 PM
It’s important to contextualize just how much less safe American drivers are than everywhere else in the world, and it’s getting worse!
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
NEW/LISTEN! Been REALLY looking forward to this one — my interview with Jason from #NotJustBikes IS LIVE on many podcast platforms plus YouTube! We cover a LOT of really important ground on how to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE BETTER CITIES IN REAL PRACTICE! I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments!
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
NEW/LISTEN! Been REALLY looking forward to this one — my interview with Jason from #NotJustBikes IS LIVE on many podcast platforms plus YouTube! We cover a LOT of really important ground on how to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE BETTER CITIES IN REAL PRACTICE! I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments!
End of 2025: Shelbourne St. w/ new sidewalks & protected bike lanes nearly complete - 2 small segments to go. Lots of folks on foot & bike.
(And to think: I was writing ltrs to & meeting w/ Saanich Council & staff about urgent need for AT options here in 2012-14 -along with multiple neighbours)
(And to think: I was writing ltrs to & meeting w/ Saanich Council & staff about urgent need for AT options here in 2012-14 -along with multiple neighbours)
December 13, 2025 at 4:16 AM
End of 2025: Shelbourne St. w/ new sidewalks & protected bike lanes nearly complete - 2 small segments to go. Lots of folks on foot & bike.
(And to think: I was writing ltrs to & meeting w/ Saanich Council & staff about urgent need for AT options here in 2012-14 -along with multiple neighbours)
(And to think: I was writing ltrs to & meeting w/ Saanich Council & staff about urgent need for AT options here in 2012-14 -along with multiple neighbours)
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
A significant move Vancouver made this week was moving forward with enabling novel Single Egress & Space Efficient Stairs. Led by the great team in Development, Buildings & Licensing, supported closely by Vancouver Fire Rescue Service; and Planning this will be transformative for low-rise apartments
December 12, 2025 at 12:37 AM
A significant move Vancouver made this week was moving forward with enabling novel Single Egress & Space Efficient Stairs. Led by the great team in Development, Buildings & Licensing, supported closely by Vancouver Fire Rescue Service; and Planning this will be transformative for low-rise apartments
Now? More like a mafia start-up since January
December 12, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Now? More like a mafia start-up since January
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Saw this comment on a headphone review.
People have zero awareness of the fact that driving a car (with the windows up, potentially music playing) substantially reduces your auditory awareness of the outside world too.
Because that’s just considered normal.
People have zero awareness of the fact that driving a car (with the windows up, potentially music playing) substantially reduces your auditory awareness of the outside world too.
Because that’s just considered normal.
December 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Saw this comment on a headphone review.
People have zero awareness of the fact that driving a car (with the windows up, potentially music playing) substantially reduces your auditory awareness of the outside world too.
Because that’s just considered normal.
People have zero awareness of the fact that driving a car (with the windows up, potentially music playing) substantially reduces your auditory awareness of the outside world too.
Because that’s just considered normal.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
"A 2018 pilot project in Washington, D.C. saw dramatic reductions in conflicts, including a 97 per cent decrease in vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts and a 92 per cent drop in failures to yield to pedestrians."
🙌🙌
🙌🙌
"The City’s own data indicate that conflicts involving right-turning vehicles are among the most common types of pedestrian collisions ... If adopted, these changes would mark one of the most significant intersection-safety reforms in Vancouver in years."
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
Ban right turns on red at intersections, proposes Vancouver city councillor | Urbanized
OneCity councillor Lucy Maloney is pushing for a ban on right turns during the red-light traffic signal at intersections across Vancouver.
dailyhive.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"A 2018 pilot project in Washington, D.C. saw dramatic reductions in conflicts, including a 97 per cent decrease in vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts and a 92 per cent drop in failures to yield to pedestrians."
🙌🙌
🙌🙌
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
The streetscape where this happened. No sidewalks, the only bit of gravel space beside the road used for more parking (despite massive driveways and garages at each house). This is a half block from a daycare and elementary school.
December 7, 2025 at 10:22 PM
The streetscape where this happened. No sidewalks, the only bit of gravel space beside the road used for more parking (despite massive driveways and garages at each house). This is a half block from a daycare and elementary school.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
July 2024 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the summer weather."
December 2025 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the winter weather."
I don't know maybe our road design just isn't safe?
December 2025 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the winter weather."
I don't know maybe our road design just isn't safe?
December 9, 2025 at 1:15 AM
July 2024 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the summer weather."
December 2025 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the winter weather."
I don't know maybe our road design just isn't safe?
December 2025 after a string of fatal crashes: "It's the winter weather."
I don't know maybe our road design just isn't safe?
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
December 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Of all the things the US has chosen to do differently than the rest of the world, I think this may be the dumbest. You'd have trouble finding any urban neighborhood in Europe or Latin America without a plaza. It's just so basic. And yet the US has virtually none! No public space, no public.
Every neighborhood needs a leafy pedestrian plaza—a place to meet friends, grab a bite, or just relax.
December 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Of all the things the US has chosen to do differently than the rest of the world, I think this may be the dumbest. You'd have trouble finding any urban neighborhood in Europe or Latin America without a plaza. It's just so basic. And yet the US has virtually none! No public space, no public.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Looks like City of Toronto and TTC will put in more aggressive signal priority to speed up the trip by 10 min. Great. Now do it citywide. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Finch West LRT to be 10 minutes faster by spring, TTC says | CBC News
The newly opened Finch West LRT is moving at an expected pace despite complaints from riders, according to transit officials, but some experts say changes to traffic signals could help it move faster.
www.cbc.ca
December 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Looks like City of Toronto and TTC will put in more aggressive signal priority to speed up the trip by 10 min. Great. Now do it citywide. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Montreal’s BIXI bike share is closing in on another record year, likely reaching 14.5 million trips in 2025.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
December 9, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Montreal’s BIXI bike share is closing in on another record year, likely reaching 14.5 million trips in 2025.
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
www.ledevoir.com/actualites/t...
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Stoked to have a new interview with Katie Wilson (no relation), Seattle's new mayor, Transit Riders Union co-founder, and living proof that bold vision for (and wonky obsession with) transportation reform can win elections.
'I'm Always on the Bus': How Transit Advocacy Helped Katie Wilson Become Seattle's Next Mayor — Streetsblog USA
"I really think that our public transit system is such a big part of people's daily experience of government," says the incoming mayor of the Emerald City.
usa.streetsblog.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Stoked to have a new interview with Katie Wilson (no relation), Seattle's new mayor, Transit Riders Union co-founder, and living proof that bold vision for (and wonky obsession with) transportation reform can win elections.
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Since Transit Signal Priority is a hot topic right now, here is a reminder of why. In a since deleted Q&A post from Metrolinx, they outline that the TTC essentially kneecapped transit priority on the Finch LRT and Eglinton LRT. We need to push Toronto to do better!
December 9, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Since Transit Signal Priority is a hot topic right now, here is a reminder of why. In a since deleted Q&A post from Metrolinx, they outline that the TTC essentially kneecapped transit priority on the Finch LRT and Eglinton LRT. We need to push Toronto to do better!
Reposted by Ray Straatsma
Five roads in New York City made INRIX’s list of the top 25 busiest corridors in 2024, but only one remained on this year’s list. “The congestion pricing program, no doubt, played a role,” Pishue said.
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/inrix-t...
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/inrix-t...
Traffic congestion grew this year in U.S. cities, but NYC saw no increase
Baltimore and Philadelphia saw the largest increases in traffic delays. Congestion pricing may have helped keep New York City traffic in check.
www.smartcitiesdive.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Five roads in New York City made INRIX’s list of the top 25 busiest corridors in 2024, but only one remained on this year’s list. “The congestion pricing program, no doubt, played a role,” Pishue said.
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/inrix-t...
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/inrix-t...