Robert Zaichkowski's Avatar

Robert Zaichkowski

@rzaichkowski.bsky.social

Accountant, Road Safety Advocate, Bike Blogger & Founder of the Toronto Open Streets Campaign. #BikeTO #BikeSky #TOpoli #VisionZero 🚲 Blog = www.twowheeledpolitics.ca Open Streets Petition = tinyurl.com/OpenStreetsPetitionTO

7,343 Followers  |  4,868 Following  |  2,847 Posts  |  Joined: 07.07.2023
Posts Following

Posts by Robert Zaichkowski (@rzaichkowski.bsky.social)

Vancouver, you're not alone unfortunately. Toronto hasn't held a single open streets event since 2022 whether it was OpenStreetsTO (Bloor & Yonge) or the ActiveTO major road closures such as on Lake Shore West! These events are needed to encourage physical activity! #shame #BikeTO #BikeYVR #BikeSky

03.03.2026 13:39 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
City of Toronto overruled by OLT, allowing development to go forward Local residents have raised alarm that the planned tower will undermine the character of Queen Street West and β€˜loom’ over an adjacent park

β€œI want there to be more places for people to live,” [More Neighbours volunteer Hoffman] said. β€œWe need more housing in the middle of the city.” www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-p...

03.03.2026 12:33 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
Post image

We all pay for roads regardless of how we get around and more often than not, it's non-drivers who are subsidizing drivers. Especially considering the low cost of sidewalks and bike paths compared to roads, while cars - and especially heavy trucks - wear out roads a lot more.

02.03.2026 12:49 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Cycle Toronto's Coldest Day of the Year Ride 2026
YouTube video by bromptoning Cycle Toronto's Coldest Day of the Year Ride 2026

This winter has been brutally cold in Toronto (setting records for snowfall and consecutive days below zero), yet The Coldest Day of the Year Ride was a balmy +4C and it was glorious! 😎 Thanks @cycletoronto.bsky.social for organizing. #BikeTO youtube.com/shorts/sqtmo...

01.03.2026 22:08 β€” πŸ‘ 19    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Reopening the visionary centre created by Raymond Moriyama, reimagined and renewed for continued public enjoyment is a priority for Save OSC.

Stay tuned for a future announcement about community meetings in April.

01.03.2026 14:26 β€” πŸ‘ 20    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
"Parking is not a birth right" - Hans on the Bike - Cycling in Ottawa and beyond Dutch architect Harvey Otten argues that free parking in the street is not a birth right and the cost should not be subsidised by others

Thanks @hansonthebike.bsky.social for sharing the English translation of this insightful column by Dutch architect Harvey Otten which compares parking a car with lugging a lawn chair around and leaving it somewhere. #BikeSky #BikeTO #ottbike #TOpoli #ONpoli #cdnpoli hansonthebike.com/2026/03/01/p...

01.03.2026 14:23 β€” πŸ‘ 63    πŸ” 13    πŸ’¬ 9    πŸ“Œ 3
Preview
Coldest Day of the Year RideΒ 2026 Today was the annual Coldest Day of the Year Ride, organized by Cycle Toronto, with support from the City of Toronto and Toronto Bike Share. Given that it was on the last day in February, it wasn't the coldest day of the year thus far, but no one was complaining about the sunny and comparatively balmy weather. The start point was Sugar Beach.

Coldest Day of the Year RideΒ 2026

Today was the annual Coldest Day of the Year Ride, organized by Cycle Toronto, with support from the City of Toronto and Toronto Bike Share. Given that it was on the last day in February, it wasn't the coldest day of the year thus far, but no one was complaining…

01.03.2026 00:38 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
photo of a Line 2 train, which reads "Line 2 turns 60 years old!".

The train is wearing a little birthday hat, and an arrow points away from the train with the caption "Opened February 26, 1966"

photo of a Line 2 train, which reads "Line 2 turns 60 years old!". The train is wearing a little birthday hat, and an arrow points away from the train with the caption "Opened February 26, 1966"

red graphic, with a rendering of a new subway train at the bottom.

reads: "Slated for 2030, new subway trains will keep Line 2 running for decades more. But the federal government has cut the program that helped fund these trains!"

red graphic, with a rendering of a new subway train at the bottom. reads: "Slated for 2030, new subway trains will keep Line 2 running for decades more. But the federal government has cut the program that helped fund these trains!"

Line 2 turns 60 years old as of today πŸŽ‰πŸ₯³ Toronto's most important east-west link (sorry, Line 5!) has shuttled millions of riders for decades.

Slated for 2030, new subway trains will keep Line 2 running reliably for decades more. But the federal program that helped fund them has been cut πŸ˜’

1/3

27.02.2026 02:35 β€” πŸ‘ 24    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
2026 (Not So) Coldest Day of the Year Ride A blog about cycling and political advocacy based in Toronto, Canada. (#BikeTO)

Over 60 people took part during Cycle Toronto's (Not So) Coldest Day of the Year Ride which ended up being a balmy 5'C! My blog post about the ride is now up for your viewing pleasure. #BikeTO #TOpoli #VikingBiking www.twowheeledpolitics.ca/2026/02/2026...

28.02.2026 20:09 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
"Coldest Day of the Year" Ride - February 28 2026
YouTube video by Two Wheeled Politics "Coldest Day of the Year" Ride - February 28 2026

Thanks @cycletoronto.bsky.social for hosting today's so-called "Coldest Day of the Year" Ride which saw over 60 people ride on a balmy 5'C day! Here's a video of the ride at the Cherry Street North Bridge. #BikeTO #TOpoli #VikingBiking youtu.be/l4oSyDIt-_g

28.02.2026 18:30 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

When I went to Bishop's from 2004 to 2008, I had to pay roughly $5000 per year as a New Brunswicker compared to $1700 annually for QuΓ©bec students. The out of province rate back then was in line with the national average.

28.02.2026 14:34 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Agreed! So much for "elbows up"!

28.02.2026 14:19 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Mark Carney backs U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, calls for civilians to be protected "Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon," the prime minister said in a statement Saturday.

WTF is @mark-carney.bsky.social thinking; backing the American & Israeli strikes against Iran? As much as the Iranian regime must be condemned for cracking down on recent protests, using military force to force regime change is never OK! #shame #cdnpoli #LPC #CPC #NDP www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

28.02.2026 14:11 β€” πŸ‘ 21    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
Ontario Science Centre’s new home is smaller, worse and probably pricier None of the Ford government’s main claims about this new facility at Ontario Place appear to be true

Gift article: Ontario Science Centre’s new home is smaller, worse and probably pricier www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/e4613d9... #topoli #onpoli

28.02.2026 03:00 β€” πŸ‘ 55    πŸ” 27    πŸ’¬ 7    πŸ“Œ 2
Post image

Just for a friendly reminder, @cycletoronto.bsky.social's "Coldest Day of the Year" Ride is happening TOMORROW! Meet 10 AM at Sugar Beach Park for 10:30 AM departure. #BikeTO #TOpoli #VikingBiking CycleTO.ca/cdoyr_2026

28.02.2026 00:15 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
Eglinton Crosstown LRT hits 98% of in-service target during opening weeks - Toronto | Globalnews.ca The Eglinton Crosstown LRT has enjoyed a smoother launch than the Finch West LRT, which saw service drop to 88 per cent one week, suffering in freezing temperatures.

NEW: Almost three weeks after the launch of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, initial data suggest the long-awaited line has enjoyed a substantially smoother opening than the Finch West LRT did in December. #Onpoli #Topoli
globalnews.ca/news/1170994...

27.02.2026 22:13 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

HELL FLIPPIN' NO! We settled the Billy Bishop Airport matter more than ten years ago and Queen's Park is not part of the airport's Tripartite Agreement the last time I checked. #cdnpoli #ONpoli #NoJetsTO

27.02.2026 18:06 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Six storeys, 10 units: On paper, it seemed the kind of housing Toronto wants. Then its Scarborough neighbours weighed in Mayor Olivia Chow is looking to reform the committee of adjustment after it rejected a building the developer says conforms to the city’s new housing goals.

Let this serve as a warning to any member of the Committee of Adjustment who feels it is within their rights to operate outside of their mandate, and any City Councillor who feels it is appropriate to influence the outcome of a delegated decision-making process.

www.thestar.com/news/gta/six...

27.02.2026 14:29 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 4

Well said Rob! When this was an active issue back in 2014, that was before the UP Express & waterfront revitalization (including the Port Lands, whose plans would be negatively affected by jets). Jets on the island airport make no sense in today’s context. #topoli

27.02.2026 16:28 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Good lord! Sounds like we need @normsworld.bsky.social to chime in again! The jets at YTZ debate was settled more than ten years ago for crying out loud!

27.02.2026 16:26 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Cheers to @transalt.org for launching their campaign to expand NYC's Summer Streets into the spring, fall, and evenings! It's urgent that Toronto bring back open streets which has been on hiatus since 2022 and expand it ASAP! #BikeNYC #BikeTO #WalkTO #TOpoli #ActiveTO tinyurl.com/openstreetsp...

27.02.2026 14:02 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
26/06 Solidarity - Bike Talk St. Paul, Minnesota rider and cartoonist Andy Singer drops in virtually to talk about the recent Alex Pretti memorial ride (1:09). A spec Super Bowl ad for kids biking and walking to school by Tom Flo...

Toronto's bicycle mayor @alilabanane.bsky.social was recently featured on @biketalk.bsky.social talking about the upcoming Femmes & Friends bike fair on Sunday, March 8 (a.k.a. International Women's Day) and issues women face when cycling. #BikeTO #TOpoli biketalk.org/2026/02/26-0...

27.02.2026 13:45 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Something which we can't afford to let happen given how even lower income countries like Morocco and Uzbekistan have beaten Canada to building high speed rail! Getting this thing built sooner means making tradeoffs and if it means dropping Kingston for the time being, then so be it.

27.02.2026 03:35 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Changes to high-speed rail route could derail project, Alto head says The high-speed rail route is expected to be finalized later this year.

Per the Kingston Whig-Standard, Alto's CEO urged caution against making too many changes to the proposed high speed rail alignment and claimed using existing railway corridors is not feasible. Basically, don't count on a station at or near Kingston. #cdnpoli www.thewhig.com/news/changes...

26.02.2026 22:52 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
Doug Ford takes issue with Toronto's 13-year timeline to build road safety measures Prmeier Doug Ford says Toronto City Hall is dysfunctional and if he were in charge, he could get the work done in months

Who does Doug Ford think he is; claiming he could get speed cameras installed "within months" and that Toronto city council was "the most dysfunctional political arena in the entire country"? He's the one who's causing the disfunction & dangerous streets! #BikeTO #WalkTO #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero

26.02.2026 20:43 β€” πŸ‘ 21    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Heard from @jaybee1886.bsky.social's initial post that the author was from the Fraser Institute? Yeah, I'm not buying their garbage!

26.02.2026 20:22 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Last year, Pride Toronto received $485,000 from the city, but that was immediately eaten up by the costs of running one of Toronto’s largest festivals, including $18,500 spent on city permits and $185,000 for police services, said the event’s executive director Kojo Modeste.

Last year, Pride Toronto received $485,000 from the city, but that was immediately eaten up by the costs of running one of Toronto’s largest festivals, including $18,500 spent on city permits and $185,000 for police services, said the event’s executive director Kojo Modeste.

This process where the city gives grant money to festival organizers then immediately takes a big chunk of it back for policing and permits sure seems circular and bureaucratic. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

25.02.2026 16:03 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1
Post image

This pretty picture is of the province’s smaller Science Centre near their private spa at Ontario Place. The price tag is $1.4 billion. The existing building only requires about $350 mil over 20 years (and about $30 mil for priority repairs). All this based on the AG report.

26.02.2026 16:44 β€” πŸ‘ 149    πŸ” 61    πŸ’¬ 23    πŸ“Œ 18
Preview
Giorgio Mammoliti, former Toronto councillor and Rob Ford ally, dies at 64 The former Toronto councillor was known for such unusual moves as ripping off his shirt in council chambers to protest a nude beach on Hanlan’s Point.

Giorgio Mammoliti - arguably one of the biggest enemies of the #BikeTO community when he was on council - has died. Still remember him claiming the high Bloor bike lane counts were caused by a few people doing loops around Bloor & wearing multiple hats! #TOpoli www.thestar.com/news/gta/gio...

25.02.2026 19:45 β€” πŸ‘ 21    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 2
Preview
Shellene Drakes-Tull: Doug Ford is delivering an agenda no one has asked for When I speak with my friends and neighbours, we’re not asking for highway tunnels. We’re asking why it takes an hour to get to Toronto from Toronto. The parents I

ON want: reliable transit, better healthcare, ⬇️healthcare wait times, stronger public schools, ⬆️support for parents & accessible post-secondary education.

ON got: changed OSAP, closed Science Centre, spas, beer and tunnels.

#FordFailedOntario #onpoli

www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

25.02.2026 15:58 β€” πŸ‘ 34    πŸ” 15    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1