Don't Get Too Excited Just Yet... re: Vélib' / Bixi

Comment on the hour's piece on Bixi: http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=17263

When I was in Paris September 2007 -- I too fell in love with vélib'. I'd herd then that they were thinking about implementing this in Montreal, but I thought -- "how would it work?" ... You know...what with a 6 month winter and all.

The vélib' bike was like a heavy, stable dutch bicyle. I was particularly fond of this type of bike design because you could ride with a straight back. Chest out, shoulders back. I was able to wear fitted blazers on it without being scared of ripping my clothes (think a speed-bike rider crouched forward, or an person riding a mountain bike in the city, half slouching, half leaning forward.. awkward...

THIS was like riding an urban two-wheel tank with terrific torque. What a pleasure.

I was in vélib' heaven.

Aaaah oui MAIS! After relying on the vélib' for a week (averaging 2 euros a day!), I began to notice the draw backs. And this might be an issue in montreal as well.


At certain times during the day, people are all leaving their residential neighborhoods at the same time to go to work neighborhoods. At night, people are all leaving their work neighborhoods to go home. And then from home to the movies, or bars, or gym, or downtown.

Do you see where I'm going here?

In Paris when I needed a bike in the 16ème, no problem. But then when I arrived to the 5ème -- all the bike bays were full. No where to park it. So I had to search for an open bay for blocks and blocks, or I'd have to tie it up with the attached bike lock and get charged additional euros for every half hour it wasn't docked.

Coming back from the bars? All the bikes would be in use, gone! When you did find a bike? Your residential neighborhood's bike bays would all be full. Same problem!

Now perhaps Montreal has a better distribution of residents / bar areas (e.g. old montreal, plateau, mile-end)... We'll see what happens.

I hope it works out well...

A patriot for generation y

A comment on the hour's recent "Eyes on the prize" article on Michael Ignatieff -- http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=17105

Does it really matter whether Michael Ignatieff is a true patriot? Is it more important that we be convinced of his undying love for home and country? Or is it more important that Michael Ignatieff (MI) be the most competent leader we have who is willing to lead canada? (Aside, I was a liberal delegate for MI in 2006 representing Cmptn/ Stnstd... So there's no ambiguity about my own political orientation here -- and the only reason I'm not going to Vancouver to do it again is that we're not really there to chose a leader. And I just started an important new job that I don't want to take any time away from..) This debate is misplaced, a non issue (not the 1rst time either "The Hour", you're becoming a little too sensationalistic in my opn). But if you insist- MI is a patriot. If you wanna know the truth, I ask you to consider the following points. Michael's fan base (or 'supporters' to use an old politics pre-Obama term) is indeed composed mainly of young people. I'm 26 now and most of my fellow MI delegates at the convention in 2006 were around the same age. The old liberals were all supporting old liberals. Leadrship that Paul Martin suicidally put the Gomery Commission on foot to cleanse the party of. (Please forgive my grammar & syntax, I didn't do Cambridge, Oxford or Harvard, let alone teach there). MI had a clear majority at the last leadership convention, and that was only because of his grassroots and youth support. Canada's future leaders in business, in the arts, NGOs & not-for-profits, technology and scientific research, and of course in politics. We want renewal. Harper, Dion, Rae, bckd by Chretien & power co (although I love the guys) simply do not represent renewal or the new Cndn values. My generation values education and stars abroad. I'd rather you be a tech wiz in Cali, big in NY, a giant in Hllwd or a real-estate god in dubai than a nobody at home. This is the NEW patriotism. Make it big, bring it home and prove Canada proud.