A viral YouTube video comparing London, Ontario to Utrecht in the Netherlands has sparked intense conversation among locals about our city’s transportation infrastructure and urban planning choices.
The video, created by popular urban planning channel Not Just Bikes, features London as the creator’s hometown and draws stark comparisons between the two cities that “used to be the same.” The content has resonated deeply with local residents who are questioning why London’s development took such a different path from its European counterpart.
Local cycling advocates point to concrete data showing that London’s bike infrastructure is actually being used more than critics suggest. City counters reveal 132 daily trips to downtown via cycling lanes, representing significant parking spaces that don’t need to be occupied. Year-over-year data shows cycling counts are steadily increasing across the city.
The conversation has highlighted London’s historical transportation legacy that many residents never knew existed. The city once boasted a comprehensive streetcar system that connected areas like Springbank Park, plus train service to Port Stanley. Construction crews still occasionally uncover remnants of the old streetcar network during road work.
One longtime resident who moved to London in 1990 to escape Toronto’s urban issues now finds themselves wanting to move back, describing how the city has “gone to shit over the past 20 years.” They note that what once seemed like a smaller, more manageable alternative to Toronto has become increasingly difficult to navigate.
The transit reality for many Londoners is harsh. Workers report commute times of 2.5 hours by public transit for jobs that are only a 15-minute drive away. Bus connections downtown are particularly problematic, with some residents finding it faster to walk from the core rather than wait for unreliable connecting buses.
Local urban planning enthusiasts have embraced the educational content, with one resident noting they “observe London’s urban planning every time I’m driving” after discovering channels like Not Just Bikes. The content has created a community of residents who are learning about urban design principles and questioning local development decisions.
The Netherlands comparison isn’t just about bike lanes – it’s about fundamental approaches to city growth. While Dutch cities were forced to build upward due to space constraints and expense, London expanded outward with sprawling subdivisions. The city government even relied on development fees as a major revenue source for years, incentivizing continued suburban growth.
Weather consistently emerges as a talking point when discussing cycling infrastructure, but advocates point to Finnish cities where winter cycling thrives thanks to proper infrastructure investment. The key difference isn’t climate tolerance – it’s municipal commitment to maintaining cycling paths the same way roads are cleared and maintained for cars.
London’s light rail dreams have become a source of particular frustration. The city initially planned comprehensive light rail transit, then shifted to Bus Rapid Transit for “cost savings,” only to see the BRT budget balloon beyond what light rail would have cost. The federal funding that was turned down due to opposition from wealthy residents in north and west London remains a sore point for transit supporters.
Some residents describe London as feeling like “a ghost town with hundreds of thousands of people in it” – sprawling but empty, new yet rundown. The disconnect between population growth and urban vitality has left many questioning the city’s development trajectory.
Current bike infrastructure faces criticism for being incomplete and disconnected. Painted lanes on busy roads like Adelaide often serve as unofficial passing lanes for cars rather than safe cycling routes. The lack of network connectivity means cyclists can’t safely travel from residential areas to employment centres or shopping districts.
The economic implications extend beyond transportation. Young professionals and graduates consistently leave London for cities with better infrastructure and urban amenities. This brain drain affects the city’s ability to attract technology companies, creative industries, and other knowledge-based businesses that drive modern economies.
Despite the challenges, some positive momentum exists. Downtown residential development is increasing, which could help create the population density needed to support better transit. However, this requires addressing social issues that currently make the core less attractive to potential residents.
The comparison with Utrecht serves as more than just urban planning education – it represents a vision of what London could have become with different choices. The online discussion continues to grow as residents share their experiences and frustrations with getting around their increasingly sprawling city.