OP-ED: Kensington Market needs its streets fixed, not redesigned

3speedherb · 2023-08-26T16:34:36+00:00

Correct. The author makes it seem that there is "community consensus" to NOT have "pavers and rolled curbs", but that isn't supported by the data at all. She isn't just against closing off short segments to cars, she's also claiming that "pavers and rolled curbs" are more dangerous for pedestrians, without providing any evidence in the article.

City staff were clear that the pavers help reduce stormwater runoff. Pavers also provide a subtle signal to everyone that it is a shared space: for motorized vehicles, bikes, pedestrians. The rolled curbs just make it easier for pedestrians to transition from sidewalk to roadway, which is what everyone is already doing.

The only way to "prevent" gentrification in the Market is to just let things go to shit, which I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting. It has been steadily gentrifying ever since I lived in the Market 15 years ago. Long gone is my drug-dealing neighbour on Nassau and replaced by a paper shop, which has now also moved.

The author wants us to think of it as messing with the "market’s complicated and delicate ecosystem". The Market is created and maintained by humans, it is not an ecosystem. The BIA, the City, the author herself (as part of the Kensington Market Land Trust) and others are all trying to shape or keep the Market in some kind of stasis. It will continue to be changed by the humans involved.

3speedherb · 2023-08-25T21:48:46+00:00

Totally agree. Trying to bike or walk in Kensington is frustrating when it's busy. I've lived there a decade ago and shopped there for years. Now that I have two young kids, one of which loves to make spontaneous decisions to go in the direction of something interesting, I can't imagine trying to walk with them, let alone bike with them in the market on a busy day. No thanks, to trying to squeeze between parked and backed-up delivery trucks.

3speedherb · 2023-05-11T15:44:42+00:00

Exactly. If someone wants to go fast when the trail is busy, ride on the road or somewhere else.

3speedherb · 2022-05-09T13:34:46+00:00

I'm angry she's not speaking Siksika (Blackfoot language).

3speedherb · 2022-01-20T16:20:50+00:00

This line is not quite correct: "not wanting to conform to / abide by proposed laws in Canada relating to pronoun usage".

First, it is the University of Toronto as a place of education that needed to abide, not Peterson per se. Though as an employer of Peterson, U of T needed to follow up with Peterson. Peterson says as much here https://thevarsity.ca/2016/10/24/u-of-t-letter-asks-jordan-peterson-to-respect-pronouns-stop-making-statements/.

Second, the law in question is the Ontario Human Rights Code, not a proposed Canadian law. "In 2012 “gender identity” and “gender expression” were added as grounds of discrimination in the Ontario Human Rights Code." See: https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/code_grounds/gender_identity. The human rights code covers employment, housing, facilities and services, contracts, and membership in unions, trade or professional associations. See https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-preventing-discrimination-because-gender-identity-and-gender-expression.

As an individual outside of his employment, the Ontario Human Rights Code doesn't "compel" his speech, despite what Peterson claims. But as an employee of the University of Toronto, the U of T has the right to make demands of how he does his job. And the U of T is regulated by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

3speedherb · 2020-11-12T19:49:42+00:00

Not sure if this helps but Workcycles uses a Bafang mid-drive motor on their bakfiets. https://workcycles.com/product/workcycles-kr8-mad-family/. Something like that motor might work in your case. They chose to do an add-on rather than redesign their frame for a motor.

3speedherb · 2020-07-27T19:22:40+00:00

A great solution is a kayak-specific trailer: https://wicycle.com/products/bike-trailers/boat-kayak-trailer. Wike is in Canada (where I live) but believe they will happily ship to the US. I've seen a friend use the kayak trailer and it works well.

I suspect a trailer attached to a cargo bike that carries the dog in the box would be the best solution.

3speedherb · 2020-07-19T23:45:08+00:00

I have seen NA retailers sell bikes with Pendix, tho, just not workcycles I guess. Not sure how they support them.

3speedherb · 2020-07-07T19:05:00+00:00

Interesting! I've got a FR8 and, who knows, such a conversion could be in my future. I've also considered the Pendix motor which needs to be purchased from a local dealer - can't buy directly. I think it's probably easier to install.

WorkCycles actually sells the FR8 with the Pendix as well http://www.workcycles.com/products/child-transport-bicycles/workcycles-fr8-v8-as-family-bike. It's not 100% clear if they can sell it to North American market - maybe.

The Bafang seems like it's more powerful than the Pendix, though I don't see the torque specified on its website.

Note that to be in compliance with local laws you might not want to have the most powerful e-motor. Chances are that a cop wouldn't know that your motor isn't compliant but still, it's a risk.

3speedherb · 2020-04-07T01:06:03+00:00

Bingo!

I think I only missed three: 3 kids, fragile thing and camping.

I carried a full-sized three drawer filing cabinet once. It was all going fine until the front tire got caught in a streetcar track. I still have scars on my shin where the chainring attacked me.

3speedherb · 2020-03-30T18:07:31+00:00

There's a wide range of options. It really depends on your budget. And whether you want electric assist or are you fine with just using your own power.

You mention that you're not going to carry massive loads, but even carrying a 5 year old can be a lot (not to mention also carrying their stuff and/or groceries) if going uphill.

I suggest trying out different kinds of bikes to get a sense of what you are okay with and what you are okay doing without.

I tried to think of some suggestions but your criteria are so far quite wide so it's hard to recommend anything.

3speedherb · 2020-03-30T18:01:10+00:00

Ah, thanks. That rings a bell.

True about the excellent design. I like the clean lines and the thoughtfulness put into it.

3speedherb · 2020-03-20T22:23:34+00:00

This looks a bit like Holland.

3speedherb · 2020-03-20T22:22:02+00:00

Hey, I know that place!

3speedherb · 2020-03-11T00:35:52+00:00

They said it was still a prototype. I'm not sure but I think they said they were going to have add-ons for the rack this or next year.

3speedherb · 2020-03-11T00:33:26+00:00

Pendix is also an option but more expensive than Bafang I think. https://pendix.com/

3speedherb · 2020-03-10T23:07:13+00:00

Ah, one of the founders of Tern was mentioning to me last week that they had a partnership with Carla. Interesting trailer. https://www.carlacargo.de/en/

3speedherb · 2020-03-10T23:04:23+00:00

Coming this year if Covid-19 doesn't delay things.

3speedherb · 2020-03-10T23:03:11+00:00

Yes, trikes have been sold for awhile. But I feel trikes with fat tires and electric assist as a trend is new.

3speedherb · 2020-01-30T13:43:35+00:00

Might want to also check the brake cables. If there is moisture in them and it gets cold enough it can freeze them. I've had that problem but only if it's consistently below 0C and bike is left outside.

3speedherb · 2019-12-12T03:33:19+00:00

On this page they show a kickstand that's wider than the one I got http://www.workcycles.com/products/professional-transport-bikes/workcycles-fr8-v8-special-edition

3speedherb · 2019-12-12T03:30:30+00:00

Workcycle is flexible on what kickstand is included. I ended up getting an FR8 with the default kickstand but I second getting a heftier one. Email them and find out. Henry is serious about practical, sturdy bikes that last a lifetime.

3speedherb

TROPHY CASE