Basil Langevin (they/them) Profile picture
Dec 8, 2021 7 tweets 3 min read Read on X
When a senseless tragedy happens in our community, it can be hard to know where to place that despair and anger.

In the Netherlands in the 70s, families felt the exact same way. Then they mobilized and changed things. Let's learn from their example. 1/7 A wide promenade in front of a large government building. Th
The Netherlands didn't always have the fabulous cycling and pedestrian infrastructure we know today. In the 70s, Dutch cities looked very much like our own. 2/7 An old photo of a large intersection. Cars, trucks, and pede
In 1971, 3300 people in the Netherlands were killed by cars. 400 of them were children under 14.

Citizens were rightfully outraged and took to the streets to protest. Their slogan? "Stop the child murder!" (Stop kindermoord) 3/7 A group of protestors hold large white signs with large hand
The mass adoption of cars was killing people, ruining cities, and destroying the environment. So protesters organized mass cycling tours through the cities to show that bikes were safer, healthier, and better for their communities. 4/7 A large street is overtaken by hundreds of bicyclists. The s
Their calls were heard, and things began to change.

Cities created large car-free zones downtown, experimented with complete and safe cycling routes, and changed how they designed their streets. 5/7 A downtown street with plenty of pedestrians, a few cyclists
This story is told in a fantastic 7-minute video. Watch it and get inspired. Then take action. 6/7
We can make the same change in #Saanich. We have the money, knowledge, and space. We just need the political will.

Cities are led by their citizens. We can all make a difference.

Join the protest for safer streets at City Hall on Friday at 2pm! 7/7

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More from @BasilLangevin

Dec 8, 2021
Our streets are designed to prioritize car speed over pedestrian safety, and it's literally killing us and our kids.

This monumental tragedy in Saanich was completely preventable. Other countries are demonstrating that. 1/13
Humans are imperfect. We all make mistakes. Accidents happen.

The problem is, our street design in Canada makes those mistakes fatal, and this is by choice.

In countries like Sweden and the Netherlands, streets are designed so that mistakes don't lead to serious injury. 2/13
When a serious crash happens in the Netherlands, engineers investigate how the street can be changed to prevent future crashes. Then they change it.

There, crashes are largely blamed on design failures. In Canada, crashes are blamed on individuals. 3/13
Read 13 tweets

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