Two organizations doing important work, both worth following — the Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org, and the Urban Truth Collective @urbantruth.bsky.social.

Paging Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston: Arts and culture are good for our health.

There are lots of ways we can contribute, many ways we can use our energy positively. I’ve always believed in the value of creating a brand new organization, initiative, etc. The 2 biggest things I’ve co-created are the @canurbanism.bsky.social 20 years ago, and @urbantruth.bsky.social this year.

Remember, speed is ALWAYS a factor. #UrbanTruth #VisionZero #SpeedKills

The new slogan for more housing choice — “Are we kinda bein’ pricks?” #UrbanTruth

WATCH: One of the most important FALSE CHOICES in cities is the false choice between more density (aka homes) that we badly need, and better green/nature. When density is done well, green is smartly integrated. I did a deep dive on this with @penalosag.bsky.social a few years back. #UrbanTruth

Might have to post this annually until we do something.

This particular study did not look at other infrastructure types, such as bike-only paths, multiuse paths, or neighborhood local street bikeways. I look forward to more studies on how bike infrastructure can help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on Canadian roads.

Their conclusion: “the results, especially for cycle tracks, should also be interpreted as infrastructure installation leading to a decrease in the rate of KSIs per person exposure time.” Protected bike infrastructure saves lives.

Type of infrastructure matters! The paper found that painted bike lanes were sometimes associated with an increase in cyclists on the road, but also an increase in killed or seriously injured, while separated cycle tracks were generally associated with a large increase in riders, but fewer KSI.

ICYMI this paper analyzed the impacts of specific types of cycling infrastructure implementations in Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver. The primary outcome considered was killed or seriously injured (KSI) victims per 10 km of road. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

"Communities across the country want more transportation choices, but currently, for most people, a personal car and all its costs is the only option." Same goes for PEI. Good article.

It’s a big deal that the Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org is going directly after the Highway Lobby for the unprecedented damage they’ve done to cities and transportation. Spread the word. #UrbanTruth

This article is specifically about orgs in the US, but I imagine the situation isn't much different here in Canada. Car dependency is killing North America a dozen different ways, but it makes a select group of people incredibly rich, so of COURSE they're spending a ton of money to keep it going.

The wordplay in the sub-headline is perfect. “Our car-dependent transportation system is no accident.”

Car-dependent sprawl is sold to us as inevitable, and quintessentially American. In reality, corporations benefiting from highway sprawl use their money and political influence to maintain the status quo and block alternatives.

“The Highway Lobby spends millions to make sure we spend billions.” — Union of Concerned Scientists. Their profit, your cost. Pleased to support @ucs.org in sharing/boosting their important new article below, with our newest @urbantruth.bsky.social poster. #UrbanTruth

The Halifax Examiner needs your money Morning File by me

50-member coalition backs Cst. Brent Bowden’s quest for racial justice reported by Madiha Mughees @mmughees.bsky.social

CORRECTION: I made an error in this headline and story. North West Community Council voted only to go ahead with a public hearing on the development agreement; not on the development agreement itself. I apologize for the error!

The Halifax Examiner needs your money Morning File by @timbousquet.bsky.social

Would be great if we applied the same level of design, testing and scrutiny used for our children's car seats to the bike lanes they ride to school in.

Tagging some folks from outside of the “The6ix” 😏 to see if they can help. @sflkirk.bsky.social & @bikehfxlobby.bsky.social #BikeHfx @brettbergie.bsky.social #YYCBikes @cassiesmith.bsky.social #ottbikes @pattybikes.com #Winnipeg @yegbike.bsky.social #yegbikes @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social #montreal

Hey #bikeTO hive mind: I’m gathering  examples of post install cycling / road safety project impact reporting, and was wondering if anyone knows of any particularly interesting examples of reports from other municipalities? Any leads would be appreciated! @lanrickbennett.bsky.social

Morons. Diversity of thought, my ass.

The “lets rip out protected bike lanes & speed humps and spend a lot more money on cops” mayoral candidate in Saint John lost, which was not a surprise.

The City of Ottawa posted the raw speed data from before and after Doug Ford banned speed cameras and the effect is so obvious it's not even necessary put a line marking when that happened. This chart shows the percentage of drivers going 15km/h or more over the posted limit.

Anyone who has ridden a bike in a city knows something else about speeding cars: it doesn't even help! We all end up together at the next red light anyway, but not all of us needed to travel at killing speeds to do it

This is #TorontoDanforth Motornormativity is the idea that we’ve normalized designing cities around the convenience and movement of private vehicles to such a degree that alternatives can feel unusual or disruptive. I think that mindset is beginning to shift, especially among younger generations.

Congratulations to my friend @jaypitter.bsky.social, excellent event tonight discussing Public Joy and launching her new book here in Vancouver at Woodwards. Great story-telling and important insights from Jay, and candid conversation. Kudos to the local organizers. #BlackPublicJoy

Calling protected bike-lanes “vanity projects” should be automatic evidence that a political candidate has no idea what they’re talking about when it comes to public safety, urban mobility and congestion, geometry and urban space, fiscal responsibility, or the successful positioning of cities.

The #KidicalMassHfx prompted motion to engage kids in transportation planning is on the agenda for Halifax Regional Council today. Tune in (sometime after 10am) to find out which council members don't really care about our kids. www.youtube.com/live/HtmavQV...

PREMIERE ALERT: Please tune in tomorrow, Wednesday, May 13th, at 2 pm Eastern, for a conversation with Prof. @michaelcpollack.bsky.social about his fabulous new book Sidewalk Nation: The Life and Law of America’s Most Overlooked Resource. youtu.be/EIxPMtlFaP4

The Deadliest Drug: Alcohol kills nearly 500 Americans every day. Confronting heavy drinking could be one of the best ways to improve health and save lives, by @levfacher.bsky.social @isabellacueto.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/05/12/a... via @statnews.com (part 1)

‘Spaces where artists are making work are disappearing’: The importance of physical art venues in Halifax By Jaya Condran

WATCH: Jason from #NotJustBikes makes a thorough and very hard to dispute case that “When Oil Gets Expensive [Like Now, For Instance], Cities Get Better.” If you want to disagree, you should watch it all the way through before trying. #UrbanTruth youtu.be/eXNLaHsKMz8?...

even without the increase in gas prices, cars are outrageously expensive. How people afford to have more than one per household I do not know. Yet we prioritize them over alternatives, even in cities and even now here, post IMP

We’re proud to join many others from across Canada in this advocacy campaign for federal funding 💪 we’re stronger together. Join us by emailing your MP about the importance of this funding! #yegbike #yegwalk

@velocanadabikes.bsky.social is doing a great job! #yegbike #bike

"Supporting young people today requires approaches that reflect the complexity of their lives — grounded in evidence, connection and care."

Before there were Bunch Bikes there were... London, circa 1926

"Is it prudent to depend on AI technology to solve one of our biggest challenges when it is creating and exacerbating so many others? What’s more, can AI even serve to 'solve' it?" Read UCS's Sam Dotson's blog:

📚 You are invited to join us as we launch the Ecology Action Centre's first children's book, The Great Adventure of ESBy the Electric Schoolbus. The book is available in French and English, and all attendees will have the chance to get a FREE copy! 📚 🔗 Register: ecologyaction.ca/get-involved...

Cycling season is here. Is your bike ready? On May 14 at 6 PM, we're hosting a hands-on maintenance workshop, fix flats, adjust brakes, clean your chain, all on your own bike. No experience necessary. Grab one of the limited spots before they're gone. www.eventbrite.ca/e/bike-maint...

As we approach $5 gas and skyrocket beyond it, let's remember this is likely the cheapest it will be for years. Car alternatives are no longer optional

We need to talk about money and making a living in the arts Morning File by Philip Moscovitch @philmoscovitch.bsky.social

Better cars are like better cigarettes. We stay dependent, they sell more. #UrbanTruth

The US is now spending more on its interest payments on the National Debt than it is on defence.

Hard work, determination — and money: Lindsay Misiner on what it takes to make it as an independent musician by @philmoscovitch.bsky.social