Photo by Remi Carreiro-Torontoist

We love it when we come across culture jamming that bring to light how the world is changing. In this case, it comes in the form of urban cycling and the potholes, cracks, and fast-cars that those of us who opt for a new means of transportation must endure.

In a funny article from the Torontoist, which we first heard about via Wooster Collective, a group of street artists called “The Urban Repair Squad” continue to take things into their own hands, in this case by stenciling purple comic-strip type expletives like “Ouch!” Oof!” and “Yipe!” near potential danger zones on a much ridden area in Toronto called Harbourd Street. Urban Repair Squad, which is made up of an anonymous group of outdoor artists and obviously urban cyclists, has been known to post various pieces on walkways and streets around Toronto.

In a statement passed on to Torontoist, a member of the Squad who identified as Saddletramp explained:

“The action-hero drama of dodging obstacles and potholes, escaping devil-may-care drivers in super-fast cars, and braving the fierce, temperamental elements, may seem, and feel, quite comic. Unless you%uFFFDre face-down on the pavement. With some wit, we endeavour to provide warning with humour; suggest danger with comedy; invite caution without frightening…and most importantly, we appeal to our fine city to remember that potholes aren%uFFFDt just uncomfortable, they really, really hurt.”


Photo by Remi Carreiro-The Torontoist