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Matt Gagnon

@orleansfietser.bsky.social
232 followers 211 following 526 posts

Vice-president, Convent Glen Orléans Woods Community Association Responsable des Castors de la 24e Scouts d'Orléans

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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I have noticed that, regardless of what teenagers like or what decade we are in, people are always going to clutch pearls at whatever the kids are doing. It's sad that South America (formerly South Park) has the best MSM take on this issue.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
My tin foil hat theory is that the car commercial funded media is pushing a narrative against the best competition to cars. I find it hard to drive after getting used to get around by ebike.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This opinion piece was interesting. It really shows that the major complaint with infill is more cars. I thought the framing as a money grab was interesting since most cities are in financial trouble. Also, reduced housing prices is the point of increasing supply edmontonjournal.com/opinion/lorn...
edmontonjournal.com
Lorne Gunter: City makes tax money from infill monstrosities
This past weekend there were at least four more angry neighbourhood protests against the uber-density infill plans approved by the city.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Someone learned an unfortunate lesson about quick releases.
Bike front wheel secured to a bike rack with a u-lock without a bicycle attached.
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Critical Mass Brussels @critmassbrussel.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
1700 cyclists yesterday. ✨ Thank you for showing with us the ridiculous space cars take in our everyday life. And how many people could fit instead. 🤷‍♂️ See you next month with the same ambition as usual: riding to improve our beloved city. 💗 #LetsRideTogether 📸 @lanomadesed.bsky.social
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
They went with Millennial grey to complement the beige at Bob MacQuarrie. I wonder what the next bland colour Gen Z will favour.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I talked to the drivers using the Laurier bike lane as a loading zone. They dismissed me saying that bikes can just use the sidewalk and balked at the idea of using a traffic lane because it would be dangerous for them. There's on-street parking a few meters away. #autowa #carbrained
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Not doing this as part of stage 2 LRT is such a wasted opportunity. @ncc-ccn.gc.ca and @en.ottawa.ca need to do better to identify such opportunities in the future.
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Strong Towns Ottawa @strongtownsottawa.ca · 23/09/2026
We've sent out our questionnaire that you can see attached to all candidates for mayor and council. We've started receiving responses! If you want to see responses from candidates in your area, feel free to e-mail them and ask them to fill out the survey we've sent! We'll be sharing answers soon!
Strong Towns Ottawa's 2026 election questionnaire that asks candidates about 5 topics and a general question.

Housing : 

What actions, if any, do you believe the city should take with regards to housing affordability? What do you see as the limits for the city in that area?

Long-Term Infrastructure Planning : 

Ottawa faces a significant gap between its long-term infrastructure maintenance needs and projected revenues. How should the city approach closing that gap, and what trade-offs are you willing to accept?

Transportation :

How do you think Ottawa should prioritize competing demands on road space and transportation infrastructure investment over the next 10 years?

Mixed-Use Development :

How do you see the relationship between land use policy such as zoning, building types, the mix of uses, etc... and residents’ quality of life and daily mobility? What room do you think there is for commercial use in residential neighbourhoods? What is the city getting wrong and what should it be doing differently?

Transit :

Where do you see the future going for OC Transportation over the next 4 years if you were to win your election?

General : 

If you have the time: Is there any other specific policy or zoning change that you would really like to see implemented, and why?
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andrew.ottawa 🇨🇦 @ottawandrew.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
39 days to go … for the love of Christ this *needs* to be a core campaign message that at every opportunity gets repeated over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again (IMHO).
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Dr. Mike P. Moffatt @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New episode! Cara talks to Tom Babin, an urban cycling advocate and creator of the YouTube channel Shifter, about how and why bike lanes triggered a culture war and what this means for the future of transportation. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watc...
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Luc Turgeon @lturgeon.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
People in Ottawa keep electing mayors that make the same promise every election and they keep getting the same results: crumbling infrastructures, declining services, increasing fees that hit low-income residents the most. There is a cost to tax phobia.
cbc.ca
Mark Sutcliffe promises 2.5% tax hike ceiling for 2 years, mayoral rivals hold off on firm numbers | CBC News
As Ottawa's incumbent mayor promises to set an upper limit on property tax hikes for 2027 and 2028, challenger Neil Saravanamuttoo says voters shouldn't believe him.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
@autowa.app This guy honked at me for taking the lane then proceeded to close pass me on the right while hurling insults. Ottawa School Transportation has been notified and a police report has been filed.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Every utility cyclists feels gaslit by motonormativity because we know the cost of cars is not worth the personal and societal costs.
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Doug Ford knew that banning speed cameras in Ontario would cost lives. He did it anyway. He also knows that banning and removing protected bike-lanes in Ontario will cost lives. He did it anyway. Every resulting life stupidly cut short is on him.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
@jleiper.bsky.social I really hope this makes it to people other than the nerds on Bluesky and Substack #Ottawa jeffleiper.substack.com/p/why-i-vote...
jeffleiper.substack.com
Why I Voted Against the City's Return to Office Mandate
More commuting, fewer buses. Nobody at City Hall resolved that contradiction. They just lived with it.
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Derrick Simpson @derricksimpson.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The Centretown Community Association is disappointed by the lack of consultation and true solutions included in Ottawa’s return to office traffic plan. Ottawa’s RTO traffic plan will lead to more traffic congestion, more road safety concerns, and more unreliable public transit in Centretown.
Dear Mayor Sutcliffe,

The Centretown Community Association is disappointed by the lack of consultation, and true solutions included in Ottawa’s return to office traffic plan, officially known as the Transportation and Mobility Strategy and Action Plan. 

The plan provides very little real solutions for addressing traffic congestion and an influx of cars in the downtown area. Many of the plan’s areas of focus are redundant, or identify projects a functioning city should already be doing, like ensuring bike lanes are well maintained and swept. On a plan that aims to implement all feasible measures by September 1, 2026, two thirds of the plan's funding is being spent on the Suburban Bowesville Park and Ride expansion that will not be complete until 2027.

We are especially concerned by the lack of consultation for what is being presented as a significant plan. This plan was not originally presented at a city committee, meaning residents were not given the opportunity to delegate or consult on the project. Changes like allowing private driveway rentals will have a profound and lasting impact on our neighbourhood, and deserved to be discussed ahead of time. Return to office is not a surprise development; proper consultation with local residents and commuters should have been an essential part of a functional plan. 

We are also concerned by the lack of investments in Centretown and across downtown that this plan provides. Somerset Ward residents will bear the significant brunt of the additional traffic, air pollution, and road safety concerns. We are disappointed to see no significant investments in cycling infrastructure, bus lanes or similar transit priority measures, or road safety measures included as part of the plan. Instead, critical infrastructure works downtown, like on Bay Street, are being delayed so more commuters can drive past our doors. 

Ottawa’s return to office traffic plan doesn’t serve downtown residents, and will lead to more traffic congestion, mor…
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The War on Cars @thewaroncars.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
"Once the car became the American way of life, we essentially morphed into a series of car companies with a minor country problem." A fantastic video on how cars took over and what we can do to get American biking again, via @climatetown.bsky.social
youtube.com
America Hates Bikes
YouTube video by Climate Town
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Consultation about Centrum. A lot of questions about why not pedestrianize the front of Shenkmen and the city building. Buses and delivery vehicles are the problem. We need to discover retractable bollards.
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 16/08/2026
Every conversation about bike lanes is like: "Car crashes kill a huge number of people every day, including pedestrians, cyclists, & car occupants. Good bike infrastructure has been shown to make everyone safer (& doesn't increase congestion)." "But sometimes cyclists break rules & hit people!"
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John Michael McGrath @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
New from me at TVO, onunicipal affairs in 2026 www.tvo.org/article/anal...
tvo.org
ANALYSIS: Ontario’s municipalities want a ‘new deal’ — but they might not like the one they get | TVO Today
Local governments are asking for more money to match growing responsibilities. The Ford government seems to have another idea.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
@jleiper.bsky.social got me out of the house. I checked out the The Heart of Orléans Market. It would be great to have a pedestrianized Centrum to host the event despite the cost of a few dozen parking lots. The line dancers would kick up less dust. heartoforleans.ca/event/the-he...
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
@lauradudas.bsky.social The lookout is looking great this evening. A small firepit would be great. I really like the path with phosphorescent pebbles.
View of the river from the lookout near Fairwinds Crescent in Ottawa at twilight
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Listening to @ottawahistoryhub.bsky.social and the fact that Ottawa was founded because of an expensive government transit project that failed to deliver the expected benefits while enriching a bunch of contractors explains a lot of things.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Reason number 386,421,984 to transition away from fossil fuels.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
New one today on Beechwood. Driver parked in the bike lane (not new) cut me off as I was going by. Luckily my idiot radar was on.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Swim registration successful! It's the most stressful time for Ottawa parents.
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Pete @peeete.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Still can't believe that Ottawa's 'simplified' zoning code has 36 residential zones, dozens of other zones, and *hundreds* of site specific exceptions. And still doesn't let you run a cafe in a neighborhood zone.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Catching up on Type Ashton. This video reminded me that PERTH, WA had free transit downtown, which was great for short trips. Imagine being able to use the train for free between Tunney's and Hurdman. How many car, taxi, and Uber trips could be avoided? #Ottawa youtu.be/BQzXghWWMbE?...
youtu.be
This US City Built a FREE European-Style Streetcar?!
YouTube video by Type Ashton
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Vision Zero Vancouver @visionzerovancouver.ca · 05/08/2026
"The impact of being hit by an e-scooter could certainly result in life-altering injuries or death, especially for seniors. But the solution is not to ban e-scooters, or to criminalize youth for being youth." Great letter with a lot of fantastic insights! www.nsnews.com/opinion/opin...
nsnews.com
Opinion: Cars are the biggest threat on the road, not kids on e-scooters
All the outrage we feel about teens weaving on e-bikes and scooters would be better spent figuring out how to keep massive motorized vehicles away from all other road users
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Strong Towns Ottawa @strongtownsottawa.ca · 05/08/2026
Hey councillor Tierney, please focus on actual improvements to transportation in our city rather than suggesting we should be endangering pedestrians so you don't have to wait a couple more seconds at a red. Those right turn on red bans are there for a reason. www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
ctvnews.ca
Councillor wants Ottawa to explore more options to keep traffic moving downtown this fall
An Ottawa councillor wants the city to explore more options to keep commuters moving this fall as public servants head to the office four days a week, including allowing right turns on red lights at s...
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Visited Waterridge. Leave it to #Autowa to build a supposedly bike friendly neighbourhood and not connect it to the bike network. People have to use a desire path around a gate at Hemlock. #Ottawa
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Lack of public washrooms in parks sucks. Especially when your kids want to explore a neighbourhood where the trees are not yet mature.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I am not sure what is more frustrating. The lack of vision and leadership, the dismissal of best practices and facts, the dismissal of the policies of the master plans, the crony projects... I am sure this list could be longer.
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ScarletCoral @scarletcoral.ca · 02/08/2026
Nouvel épisode de RC Environnement avec @mariannedez.bsky.social & @valerieboisclair.bsky.social de @info.radio-canada.ca sur la motonormativité avec @sgoodyear.bsky.social et @brooklynspoke.bsky.social de @thewaroncars.bsky.social
youtu.be
Pourquoi est-on si dépendants de nos voitures? | RC Environnement
YouTube video by Radio-Canada Info
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Needed to touch grass so I went for a ride along the SGEC as usual. Why is everyone so serious? Why are cops on motorcycles patrolling? The Ironman participants were wondering: "Why is there a dude riding his ebike in the middle of the race?" Good thing it wasn't a beer and bread run.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Can we stop saying that raising taxes for bike lanes and transit is going to tax the middle class to oblivion? The average cost of owning a car in 2026 is $16.5k. It's an exorbitant amount compared to property taxes. Car dependency is bankrupting the middle class.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
It's funny that when the highway shuts down, people are quick to blame whoever messed up and shut it down instead of questioning why we have a system that can be so easily shut down.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I beat cars on my bike starting at St-Laurent all the way downtown.
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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
This article could have been written today, but it's actually 25 years old — "the proposed ring will have little to no impact on existing congestion levels. Indeed, by its promotion of urban sprawl, the road would likely create even higher congestion levels within four to five years of completion."
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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
And here's where the city plans to spend the $478 million from the Feds and province: Suburban arterial roads, intersections, and a parking lot make up 54%. A rec center for Riverside South, 38%. And a couple sewer projects, 8%.
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Convent Glen - Orléans Wood Community Association @cgow.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
The Music in the Woods Summer Festival is a free, one-day event celebrating community through music, culture, and local talent. Set by the riverside near the Roy Hobbs Community Centre, the festival features diverse performances, children’s activities, and local food.
cgow.ca
Music in the Woods Festival — A Celebration of Community, Culture, and 200 Years of Local History
The Music in the Woods Summer Festival is a free, one-day event celebrating community through music, culture, and local talent. Set by the riverside near the Roy Hobbs Community Centre, the festival features diverse performances, children’s activities, and local food.
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The New Orleans @theneworleans.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Ottawa's budget prioritizes spending tens of millions on a small handful of suburban road projects, while allocating much less for pedestrian and cycling improvements across the whole city.
theneworleans.ca
Why Bike Lanes Are “Nice-to-Have” And Get Left Behind In Ontario
Ottawa's budget prioritizes spending tens of millions on a small handful of suburban road projects, while allocating much less for pedestrian and cycling improvements across the whole city.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
I managed to get home between two storm on the evening commute. It's so satisfying.
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The Biking Lawyer LLP @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Ontario is on the cusp of some major auto insurance changes. Find out how this may affect you and your family as of July 1, 2026 (hint: you could be losing a lot of post crash supports): www.thebikinglawyer.ca/post/acciden...
thebikinglawyer.ca
ACCIDENT BENEFITS – BIG AUTO INSURANCE CHANGES IN ONTARIO ON JULY 1, 2026
Ontario is on the cusp of some major auto insurance changes that will leave many people without adequate support following a bike accident.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
@eugeniewaters.bsky.social I was happy to see a stop sign at the slip lane from St-Patrick to Vanier. Hopefully it is not the result of a very predictable incident. I know there have been many such incidents there.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Every time I bike in the rain, I wonder why I avoid biking in the rain. @letsbikeottawa.bsky.social This was my first event induced bike trip. Thanks for the nudge!
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Great fun today at Fallingbrook CA's inaugural #Kidicalmass. @cgow.bsky.social is always happy to help our neighbours. @kidicalmassottawa.bsky.social
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It's Jamie @sjamieit.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Today at City Hall, council votes on the Long Range Financial Plan To Kick The Can Down The Road So The Next Council Needs To Make The Hard Decisions To Raise Taxes Or Sell Off Facilities And Not Us (LRFPTKTCDTRSTNCNTMTHDTRTOSOFANU).
ottawacitizen.com
Long-range financial plan could burden future Ottawa councils, critics say
The finance and corporate services committee voted 9-2 to approve a plan to address a multi-million gap in funding for infrastructure.
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Matt Gagnon @orleansfietser.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Can anyone guess what vehicles were involved in the collision and what the man being charged was operating?
Screenshot of CTV News headline reading "Kitchener man charged in fatal collision involving e-bike
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