I wonder if there is a distinction between “not allergic” and “don’t know they are allergic”. Do NSians not develop ragweed allergy if there is less exposure to it?! Or do they just not realize they are allergic because there’s not much of it!
Urban-parenting and #KidicalMassHFX
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I wonder if there is a distinction between “not allergic” and “don’t know they are allergic”. Do NSians not develop ragweed allergy if there is less exposure to it?! Or do they just not realize they are allergic because there’s not much of it!
Ah. I heard from a coworker (who is originally from Chicago) that the ragweed is quite bad here this year, but is normally not much of an issue due to rain. The dry conditions make it spread easier I guess?! Maybe my leaf mould allergy won’t be so bad with the drought?! Who knows.
I’m confused. Nova Scotians aren’t allergic to ragweed?! I am also an Ontarian who is allergic to ragweed, so very curious here.
I used to read books like Lord of the Rings or watch movies like Star Wars and think the villains were unbelievable. And of course, now watching the tech oligarchs (who could not spend all their money if they tried) destroy civilization for power, I’m like, guess I was wrong. People are that awful.
Students are returning to school this week. Reduce your speed in school zones anytime children are present—not just during school hours. Learn more: halifax.ca/school-zone
I was once trapped out of my basement flat by someone parked in the narrow driveway, blocking the door. Police non-emerg ticketed & I hung out at the library until the owner eventually moved the car. The only time I have seen a tow truck is for the no parking zones on Quinpool Rd during rush hour.
I think the only “equipment” that handles it is a bylaw officer with a ticket. They don’t even tow when a car is parked at a fire hydrant.
I didn’t see “parked on the sidewalk” the last time I tried to report either.
It's that time of year again, welcome back to school kiddos! This week we're going to address Toronto's back to school/micro mobility campaign & ask that they direct all available resources at dangerous drivers who cause hundreds of serious injuries & deaths each year in TO. 📷 @tomflood.bsky.social
Love this! Where do you set up your AT info centre?!
Oof. That’s not great. I can’t imagine your public schools have ventilation systems built for those conditions. At least, I know ours in NS are woefully inadequate.
Our school used to do meet the teacher in mid-September, with a BBQ, and we really enjoyed that. It feels rushed this year, and without the benefit of a BBQ raising funds for the PTA.
Our school told us PowerSchool wouldn't be up and running until 3:00pm on September 3rd. In the same email, they scheduled 'meet the teacher' evening for 6:00pm on September 3rd. Will I have time to log into PowerSchool after work, but before I need to know who my kid's teacher is?! Maybe?
Ooooh. This was a good reminder for me to check, but it's not up yet for HRCE unfortunately.
IIRC, I think the racks have been moved to accommodate store product (e.g. bags of road salt in winter) over the years, and I suspect just not reinstalled properly?
It’s still blocked. I will follow-up on my email to Bird about it.
Happy Birthday! Enjoy the ride.
The maddening thing is that we know EXACTLY how to prevent this. Yes, kids should get vaccinated, test, stay home when sick, mask as much as possible. But even without any of that: Better ventilation and filtration in schools can MASSIVELY reduce viral spread, for all sorts of respiratory diseases.
U-Locks are generally the safest style, and most come with a mount so they can be carried on the bike frame (helpful for remembering to bring it). There are a wide range of prices ($30 - several hundred $). Generally, spending more $ gets you a better U-lock. www.mec.ca/en/products/...
Workers have a right to workplaces safe from airborne pathogens. Workers have a right to PPE. Covid is a labour issue and our unions need to address it. Happy Labour Day.
Maybe have a look at the car share availability near you too? That’s our (interim) plan for when our 2015 car finally dies. Although, you’ll have car seats to deal with for longer than we will.
A great thread about building this movement, from our friends at Kidical Mass Hamilton!
Glad you are home! Did your bike bike it home in the taxi too?!
There are no school lunches available at all for the first 7 days of the year. Pack a lunch for Sept 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Welcome to Halifax!
I’m glad they are taking care of you, and your bike!
Would be nice to be able to use these on all residential sections of public highway...
🤞 for you! Not packing lunches is parent freedom.
Mine only said “no” to one. Which is pretty great for us!
The school VP mentioned the supplier on the parent FB group, and mentioned that it’s a change from last year. I don’t know if that info is publicly available otherwise.
Does removing parking make it more feasible, or did you already account for that?
Attention #Halisky parents. School lunches are available for order now, and the menu has been revamped this year. There are definitely a few more options that my kiddo is willing to try. And, I'm happy to hear (from my kid's school) that the supplier for our area is Upward Kitchen.
It just makes so much sense. It would readily serve 2+ university campuses; 6+ elementary/middle schools; lots of local businesses; parks & playgrounds. I bet it's wide enough in most spaces to not lose vehicle travel lanes too?
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Oxford St needs a protected bike lane. I'd love to see it start at Edgewood Ave (or at least Bayers Rd) and run the whole 3km to South St, where it would connect with the existing Beaufort MUP.
My feed is full of indirect wishes and dreams for the Cheeto’s death as if it could be imminent and I can’t find anything in the news other than that the tariffs have been deemed illegal, step one in reversing all this nonsense. That seems like… quite a jump.
It was great seeing new and familiar faces out at #CriticalMassHFX this evening! We'll be doing it again on the last Friday in September. Keep an eye on @criticalmasshfx.bsky.social for deets. Big thanks to everyone who came out to make this happen! #BikeHFX 1/
When the elder millennial gets to make the playlist for @criticalmasshfx.bsky.social [video description: A large group of people biking on a treed city street while Float On by Modest Mouse plays and bike bells ring.]
I get that it’s meant to be a bit of a protest, and sure, that’s important, but my favourite part of @criticalmasshfx.bsky.social will always be riding niiiiice aaaaaand slowly through the city where I live with a huuuuuge group of other people on all different kinds of bikes! ❤️
My kid too. He rode to camp for 3 weeks straight on that MUP. I’m not sure we would have done that uphill climb on the road itself. Obviously, it needs better connections at Oxford St, but from Connrose Park uphill, it’s alright!
Marshalled with @criticalmasshfx.bsky.social this evening! Big thanks to the organizers for a great ride!
Also in NS: free bikeshare for students and staff at Mount St Vincent University. It’s currently a pilot. www.msvu.ca/about-msvu/s...
Seems like a safe bet!
I’ve purchased things from eBay sellers over the years, and never had an issue that couldn’t be resolved with the seller. If you read the seller feedback ratings, that should help you get a sense of how safe they are.
Hmmm…it looks like their shirts are currently cotton, not wool.
Sorry, that's Fog Bank Merch Company!
History tells us that pandemics contribute to the rise of fascism. Society has failed to heed that warning.
🌲
Looked at this once before and found IOMerino online, based in Australia. Locally, I wonder about Fog Company on the Eastern Shore because their website says that they prefer natural fibres, but none of their listed suppliers are obviously offering merino wool.
There’s a recent Shifter video about cycling in wildfire smoke for more details! It boils down to: reducing risk is a good idea for everyone!
Also, we resumed kiddo’s “cold and flu season” inhaler recently due to wildfire smoke. This is the first year his asthma has been bad in August. Usually we have until October when the viruses start coming home from school.
Yeah, a sore throat is definitely a wildfire smoke irritant symptom. An N95 will help if you have one handy and can wear it during your ride.
Yeah, it’s definitely improved since 6:30am when I woke up, but still has a ways to go.
#Halisky the smoke forecast looks really bad overnight tonight from 10:00pm to 3:00am or so. Consider shutting windows/turning off HRVs, and running air cleaners overnight! firesmoke.ca/forecasts/cu...
Get em while you can Yves Cuisine products (all of them) are being discontinued
Yum! Sounds delightful.
Thankfully, I do find I get less aggressive maneuvers from drivers when I have S with me. I hope the same is true for you.
Sorry drivers are so shitty today, and even more sorry that our so-called leaders stoke their rage.
I have had so many punishment passes on Morris St lately. I can’t possibly imagine why that is… 🙄
I once moved a heavy pull-out couch with a couple of Sobeys shopping carts, in downtown Halifax. Same vibes! 😂
Another day, another conversation with someone who wants to bike with their small kids but doesn’t feel comfortable doing so on our disconnected infrastructure. #bikehfx #bikegoodmayorbad
So much this! All the UAs in my city are kid-haulers because the UA bike and accessories make that easy. It seems so bizarre to not acknowledge that key difference, even with respect to the R&M’s they mention, which also have well developed kid-carrying accessories compared to the eBullitt!
First annual…so when Trish Purdy becomes deputy mayor (Andy’s sentiments at yesterday’s town hall) we can hold her to this responsibility? 😂
Even better. I'd definitely wear a shirt with that on the back.
I think you could easily sell merch at the monthly @criticalmasshfx.bsky.social rides!
Great visualization of smoke rolling into HRM today. Close your windows, pop on a mask if you’re outside for extended periods today. firesmoke.ca/forecasts/cu...
I saw a sharp difference between being in my backyard at 7:30am and being in my backyard at 8:30am. The wind must have shifted sometime in there? I wonder if you just missed it on your morning ride?
Celebrating the 🌧️: 62mm or 2.5” of rain in my gauge, in the west end of Halifax. My rain barrels are nearly full!
Another Critical Mass is coming! FRIDAY AUGUST 29th🌟 #BikeHFX Meet at Grand Parade (City Hall) at 6:00pm, rolling out at 6:30
Jack is clearly part Labrador Retriever, because this sounds just like Jody.
United in their dislike of rain, and love of duck I suppose?!
Let me know how it goes. I'm entirely armchair route-planning here. Real world testing would definitely be helpful.
Jody made it about 25 metres in the rain before she turned around to head home. She definitely wasn't happy about being out in the rain, but she did it, if only for the post-walk towel pats.
I'm looking at the map and wondering if it might be better to cross Cogswell at the mid-block crossing near the Oval, and take a left at the skate park and then past the tennis courts to Trollope instead.
Is a better connection a part of the Midtown bikeways project? I didn't pay close enough attention to that engagement when it happened earlier this year.
Mad for any particular reason?!
Oh definitely. I don't love riding through crosswalks, but I've definitely become more accustomed to it riding with a 7 year old.
Oh, why not?
I actively avoid the Morris & Queen St 4-way stop because of the westbound slip lane onto Queen. 4-way stops just just don't make sense when you have more than one lane at the intersection stop bar. 🤯
My thoughts are: starting at the chosen family monument and using the sidewalks/crosswalk/tiny MUPs in the following crossing order: Cogswell, Trollope, Ahern. I'm open to suggestions though. I don't ride on this side of the common very often.
We made a garlic and rosemary flatbread with our take-home dough. It was delicious.
I’m at the town hall in District 4 with Mayor Andy Fillmore and Coun. Trish Purdy. This meeting has turned into a debate and questions to Fillmore about the Davis Cup.
The ride home was superbly slow: riding through the North Common desire line “river” shouting “go with the flow”, and free-styling songs about rain. We stopped to clear a storm drain. Kid noticed that the layer of water on asphalt made a mirror & the road was “an upside-down picture of the street.”
Kid was a bit iffy about swimming lessons in the rain today, but *biking* to lessons in the rain was really no question. He knew he was prepared: grippy tires, fenders, rain gear & saddle cover - he told me all about it on the way! If you need motivation to ride in the 🌧️, try riding with a child!
It’s going to completely change how we get downtown by bike. Bell Rd no more! 🎉
Sorry we missed you!
Once the Brunswick lanes are complete, our kids will be able to use: the Commons/Rainnie/Brunswick to get to the library (and other downtown destinations) and I am so excited for them/us!
Possible causes of your problems. It’s a diagram that (sadly) still seems relevant in 2025, so reposting a year and a bit on.
Halifax Cycling Coalition is hiring! We are seeking a full- or part-time Executive Director. Make a difference in for cycling in HRM to be safer, more comfortable and accepted. Please see the detailed job description and pass on to others. drive.google.com/file/d/12BgJ...
I like it P! Simon was so happy to see your crew today. So glad you all made it. It was a delight to watch P make pizza and F enjoy the park and the popsicles.
My view from afar was: F seemed to be getting a bit far into the water, so S tried to be helpful by pulling him out, but ended up toppling them both further into the water instead. @affabletoaster.bsky.social had a better view than I did though.
I took a break mid-event to supervise the kid from afar, while sitting in the shade, and that definitely recharged me a bit; but only until the kids (briefly) toppled into the sea.
Agreed! This is a brilliant idea @justbartek.ca. I’d love to know more.
It’s happened a few times at #KidicalMassHfx. It makes me think a lot about how we see cycling as a children’s pastime and not adult transportation. I hope those parents running alongside get their own bikes too!
Parents running behind/beside their kids is one of my #KidicalMass unexpected favourite things!
Thanks for all your planning and organizing. The ride to and from was so much nicer with a group than it was the last time I did it solo! What a great day.
The first #BikeHfx (and allies) pizza party was so great! It was a real mingle in the Dingle with so many Halisky friends. Thanks to the organizers!
Amazing! 🎉
Calgary’s inaugural Kidical Mass ride! Thx to @whoalansi.bsky.social for organizing. #yycbike
Cars and trucks are tools. It sounds like you have the right one for the job today, given the options available to you! See you there.
I hope you’ve hidden the sharpies.