The Changes

Want to change how you get to work this summer?  Do it the safe and fun
way. 30 Days of Sustainability will be on location this Saturday May 10
from 1:00-4:00pm at the Harry Jerome Sports Centre (7564
Barnet Highway, Burnaby) with partner Burnaby Velodrome Riders
to share basics of safe commuting to make you feel confident
enough to leave the car at home, even for one sunny day a week! Also,
look out for the 30 Days team giving out prizes, the Vancouver
Cycling Coalition, the British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association
(BCSEA)'s energy efficient demo bike and your chance to win a pair of
side stage wristbands to see Jack Johnson Live in Vancouver with a copy
of his latest album “Sleep Through the Static” as part of Jack
Johnson’s 2008 Global Tour greening initiative!

Want to change how you get to work this summer?  Do it the safe and fun
way. 30 Days of Sustainability will be on location this Saturday May 10
from 1:00-4:00pm at the Harry Jerome Sports Centre (7564
Barnet Highway, Burnaby) with partner Burnaby Velodrome Riders
to share basics of safe commuting to make you feel confident
enough to leave the car at home, even for one sunny day a week! Also,
look out for the 30 Days team giving out prizes, the Vancouver
Cycling Coalition, the British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association
(BCSEA)'s energy efficient demo bike and your chance to win a pair of
side stage wristbands to see Jack Johnson Live in Vancouver with a copy
of his latest album “Sleep Through the Static” as part of Jack
Johnson’s 2008 Global Tour greening initiative!

Getting around by bike is fun - if you have the skills and confidence you need to do it. The commuter cycling skills courses offered by the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition make that possible. And the course is fun too!

Umbrella Ettiquette 101.

If you haven't noticed by now, Vancouver has a lot of rain and unfortunately, that requires you to walk around with an umbrella.  However, this seems to be lost on a certain group of commuters... these commuters, as described by my friend, "People oblivious to their surroundings, huddle under their "shields", head down, eyes to the ground, trudging on like they are the only people on the street".

As a newbie to commuting, I though I would share the ramblings of one man on a mission to change the world one umbrella at a time...  I know, I know... such a noble man, such a noble cause.  Many people just do not have an understanding of proper umbrella ettiquette.  She was suggesting in tonque and cheek fashion that she will start an Umbrella Awareness and Ettiquette Class.

So in preparation, I thought that I would share a few "rules of the sidewalk" that I hope will go a long way in changing people's behaviour...

1.  You have to agree get wet for a few seconds.  I know it is hard to believe, but in cramped thoroughfares it is a requirement (ie. between bus stops, at crossing walks, etc.).

2.  You get wet because the proper ettiquette requires you to "angle" your umbrella at 45 degrees to 90 degrees (towards the outside) so that you can pass effectively.

3.  Or, the alternative method is to raise your umbrella above everyone else's to pass effectively (I think this technique is useful if you are in the top percentiles of height).

My friend personally prefers method #3, but I've personally decided to take my own path and add razor wire to the outside of my umbrella and some poison-tipped curare spikes...  I think I have created a new business idea?  hmm...

Let me know if you have any other ideas... or whether you have a preference for technique or would be interested in buying a razor wire umbrella from me?  lol

ps.  Unfortunately, I am unsure as to what precedent I create in terms of  the "war of escalation"...

I have decided to forgo the SOV and attempt to commute by skytrain every morning.