Column The News: Fewer young people are buying cars

By Jackie Chow - Maple Ridge News
Published: September 12, 2013

Something interesting that I read about this week: according to a survey done in the Netherlands earlier this year, nine per cent of respondents got rid of their cars last year to save money, to cope with the effects of the financial crisis.

Like in many other countries, the car is a bit of a status symbol in the Netherlands, so I think this is quite amazing. But a car is such a money guzzler, and not having one makes a huge difference to your pocketbook. Isn’t it nice if you have options other than the car, like the Dutch do?

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Column: Reducing residential speed limits would increase safety

Here's the latest column in The News by HUB Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows:

Published: July 21

 

At the upcoming Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in September, the City of Victoria is putting forward a resolution proposing a reduction of the maximum speed limit on all B.C. residential roads from 50 to 40 km/h.

This initiative is led by Coun. Shellie Gudgeon, who says a majority of Victoria residents are supportive, but admits that there is some strong opposition from the very vocal auto-centric crowd.

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Bike to School/Work Week

Just wanted to let you know about some upcoming events:

Bike to School Week: May 27 -  31

Here's a great opportunity for your kids to get active, and have fun at the same time! Which kid wouldn't prefer to bike to school rather than be driven to school by his parents! Better yet is biking to school with friends!

HUB and HASTe (Hub for Active School Travel) are promoting Bike to School Week. A parent or teacher - and for secondary schools also students - can sign up to be a team leader for their school, and HUB will send you an information kit with posters, stickers and safety and other tips. (Secondary students can also sign up individually: see Bike to Work Week below).

Our local chapter would also like to provide some support (perhaps a "snack station"?), so if you decide to register your school, please also contact me at jchow23708@yahoo.ca.

Bike to Work Week: May 27 - June 2

Check out how it works, register for Bike to Work Week and log your miles on HUB's Bike to Work website and find the locations of the celebration stations, tips and prizes to be won.

Discovery Bike Ride to "Goodbye Chums"

Four of us - Dave, Barb, Tom and myself - braved the rain and cold today to ride to the Goodbye Chums event and the Grand Opening of the new Bell Irving Fish Hatchery on 256th Street. We started off ready to burn off some calories after the annual volunteer pancake breakfast at Red Robin, served by Mayor Daykin and his crew. We followed the 123 route up to 240th Street. Instead of continuing along Dewdney, we rode along the quiet, scenic back roads and down 256th to the hatchery. Great route, even though Dave was complaining that it wasn't exactly a direct route. It did add several more kms, but if you're not in a hurry it certainly beats busy Dewdney Trunk Road. It was getting kind of cold once the rain started soaking through towards the end, but there was life-saving coffee and timbits thanks to Timmy's once we got there, and after the enthusiastic presentations also great food, courtesy of Panago.

You kind of take it for granted that you can always go to the supermarket and find some tasty salmon for a special dinner. The passionate people at KEEPS (Kanaka Education and Environmental Partnership Society) are doing a really important job of helping to keep our rivers and oceans well stocked with salmon and they deserve a big thank you. I thought it was really neat for the kids to take the small salmon fry down to the river and release them, knowing that in a few years they'll be back to spawn and complete the cycle of life.

Only 2 photos to show of the ride:

Ready to start our ride

At the hatchery
Photo: Ross Davies of KEEPS