[muglo] Re: Parking

on 2/6/02 11:49, Tee Cashmore at tee.cashmore@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Alex wrote:
> 
>> go up. It would all be fair if gas went to $20 a litre, with $19 of it in
>> tax,
>> to be used to clean up all the damage cars do

I've never understood why there can't be more cost recovery in our society
(other societies do it quite well... some American states have adopted the
"cradle to grave" cycle of waste management (let's see Ontario or Texas do
that ;)). We allow some businesses to get away with bloody murder and create
the "tragedy of the commons" by polluting into it and burdening others with
what should rightfully be their costs (e.g. drivers, electricity users,
pesticide manufacturers, any business that dumps their waste into waterways,
plastic pop-bottle manufacturers, etc). While, others (where it's easily
quantified or there's a political will) have to pay for the true cost (or
significant portion thereof) of their business (beer cos with their refund
system, etc.).

>> they're quieter, too. I would so love it if small engines were banned. But
>> there again, a huge gas tax would clean up the problem better than any ban.

I'd rather it be called a user fee so that all the "tax payers" out there
would have less to whine at (and, maybe they'd have the opportunity to
become citizens).

> As to gas gusslers, SUV drivers are definitely the worst, although Caddy
> drivers come a close second. Of course if we had a reasonably efficient,
> inexpensive Bus service we would all be better off.

Yes, the TTC is a beautiful thing. I can get from one end of the city to the
other *faster* by TTC than someone driving (for only $1.90). I figure my one
route which takes me ~25 mins by TTC would take ~40 mins by car and ~50-55
mins by bike (I bike to Broadview and hop on the subway and get off at Old
Mill (two bike trails)).

>> A few weeks ago I was almost run over on my bicycle (which is hooked up with
>> an electric motor assist)... a camero with 2 guys in it actually swerved over
>> half a lane (on a very wide road) into me (mising me by inches) while the
>> passenger yelled "fall off!"... so intentional targeting of cyclists by some
>> drivers is here in london too. I must admit I really hate car culture. I

That's downright scary. Last week I had a cube van swerve *into* the lane I
was in (and getting ready to stop for a deep orange) merely so that he could
run a red. I felt the handle-bars wobble and was only a hair's breath away
from hitting the pavement. Yesterday, one SOB (driving one of the worst
smelling K-cars I've ever encountered) was indignant that after I stopped
for a four-way stop, I had the audacity to claim my right to proceed through
the stop sign in the manner that the law proscribes (in the order that
people arrive at the stop signs, or, if there is any doubt, to give the
person on the right the right of way).

Also, the number of blithering idiots that open their doors without checking
is scary (especially so since they open their doors right into bike lanes
that are heavily used -- In the past two weeks I've nearly taken two doors
off, and once had to swerve into traffic (I knew I was safe doing so) to
avoid smucking such morons).

> Toronto also has a Bus/Subway system that works! Bikes are great, but riders
> also need to follow the rules of the road. How many times have you seen bikes
> on the sidewalk, going the wrong way on a one way street, having no lights, or
> even reflectors etc. I've never seen a cop pull a bicycle rider over for an
> infraction, even when it happened in front of them!

<whistling innocently> Bikes going the wrong way on one-way streets. What,
me? Never! Although, I do attempt to avoid one-ways as much as possible. I
have my routes down that 95% of the time I can do everything legitimately.
For the 5% that I do take one-ways (b/c the alternate is a long detour here
in To (they design it that way for car traffic)) it's far safer to take the
one-way (where cars expect you) than to take the alternate major road (e.g.
Bathurst). What really surprised me coming to To is how many cars drive
one-way up streets (that's inexcusable since they are actually the traffic
that cause traffic jams and heavy traffic).

Side walks are the same story -- it's far safer dealing with pedestrians
that with lunatic drivers (especially since society insists on putting
cyclists on the same roads as cars *without* educating drivers on how to
drive with cyclists in mind, making laws to protect cyclists from drivers
(the fact that cars can stay in the same lane as cyclists with impunity is
sheer lunacy), or providing bike paths on major roads (which would
facilitate an increased use of bicycles, increase cyclist (and driver)
safety, reduce the number of drivers, and improve air quality).

Cops ignore one-way bikers (b/c they're too busy with one-way drivers ;) but
they are not looking favourably on cyclists that go out at night without
reflectors and/or lights.

Personally, it drives me nuts to see a cyclist without flashy lights (at
least at the back, but also in front). Reflectors are pretty much useless as
far as I'm concerned. They're a cheap addition to any bike and are bound to
save your bacon or save another person from having the wits scared out of
them.

Crappy tire sells cheap (but functional) rear lights for $10 or so, and if
you want to get something better you can always go to Mountain Equipment
Coop (if you're ever in town (Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver,
Winterpeg, Edmonton, Calgary)), or order lights from the on-line store
(http://www.mec.ca) at
<http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?currentPage=2&bmUID=10230360
33360>

I ***highly*** recommend the "Planet Bike BRT Spot Micro LED Cycle Light"
<http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=17913&bmU
ID=1023036047335>. It's $10, a whitish-blue LED (constant and flash modes)
that can actually function to illuminate the road on dark nights, and lasts
for 100s of hours on two N-sized batteries (included) (2 for $5; slightly
shorter than AAA). Other places sell the *same* light under the BLT brand
for $25 (you can buy 2.5 at MEC for the price of 1 elsewhere). All their
lights are *much* cheaper than in other stores (e.g. the basic Cat Eye is
$12 there vs. $17 at the next cheapest place I found, and difference is even
greater on more expensive lights (since MEC has a fixed markup)).

This is a great little light to take camping or keep hanging around a dark
place. It'll burn for a *long* time & is bright enough to be useful.

They have a $7 three-LED (yellow (amber)) ("Planet Bike BRT 3F 3 LED Front
Cycle Light") light also for the front but it's not as "cool" as the $10 one
(but, it too works beautifully... I'm tempted to get it too for my bike).

PS for those of you who don't know MEC, it's a co-operative (5 or 6 stores
in Canada + mail-order) and you buy a "share" for $5. Since it's a
co-operative its mandate is merely to provide its members with affordable
out-door gear and to do so without making the members a profit (& to do so
in an environmentally sound manner... and MEC has some educational mandates
too).



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