Re: 鈥淗ow cars fit into mayor鈥檚 vision of 鈥榩eople-first鈥� Government St.,鈥�
May 30.
We just returned from bicycling from Bruges in Belgium to Amsterdam in Holland.
Every city, town and village had a centre or square, as Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps describes.
Few or no cars, kids playing, people visiting, food stalls and other market stalls. They were places of civility, tranquillity, peace and laughter. Granted, most of these are medieval cities with markets long in place before the advent of the motor vehicle.
Government Street as a public 鈥渟quare鈥� would be another relatively painless contribution to the 鈥済reening鈥� of our world.
The idea will run up against the same people who are angry at the bike lanes being built.
Sadly, in Canada, driving your car absolutely everywhere is deemed a right.
There are many situations and instances where cars and trucks must be used. But what about the rest of us?
It appeared to me that in Europe, there were more bicycles than cars. Victoria, due to its design and size, lends itself to this lifestyle.
And now with the advent of electric bicycles, our bike lanes, new custom bicycles based on your needs, there is little excuse not to ride.
But most important to me on this issue? It is the calming and civilizing of a world gone mad.
There鈥檚 a lot of anger, hatred and more out there. Let Government Street Square be a bastion against this, for two days a week at least.
What say you?
听
James (Jim) Parker
Victoria
