To Roger and Tyler, who responded to my June 6 rant about cyclists who dont wear helmets. Comparing Vancouver to Copenhagen and Amsterdam, unless youre talking about the weather or drug use, is a specious argument. These two cities were established before the automobilewas even thought of and they have a long history of bike use; cars had to adapt to bikes. Add to that the relatively flat terrain and more compact cities, and you have a very different climate for cyclists. As for Tyler saying that my vehicle is a weapon ... I dont own a car; my bike is my main means of transport. I find riding it, with my helmet protecting my precious grey matter, to be very relaxing. And as for car drivers feeling they have a right, I would have to say that this extends to the majority of cyclists who deem it their right to blow through stop signs unimpeded. We have equal rights to share the road. Cycling in and of itself is not life-threatening. However, cycling in the traffic is a dangerous habit and is best done wearing a helmet. If you want to ride without a helmet, you should be free to do so. However, I should also be free of the tax burden of putting you on life support once you sustain a head injury.
John
Im sure that every graphic designer in the West End will be wondering how much the pathetic new West End logo cost to create. The basic cyan colour smacks of cheapness, the design is totally lacking in any creative expertise and the fact that the symbolism of the bars has to be explained in the accompanying piece tells us all that the logo fails in its primary function of communicating anything about the unique nature of the West End. Compared to the excellent East Van logo, our new WE logo is a weak joke.
Roger
RE: Vancouver not a one-horse town, June 13. Police act like angry hornets if they see a dog off leash and there are major fines for leaving any dog mess. Evidently that sort of vigilance is completely absent when it comes to the mounds of horse crap that the police horses are leaving in Stanley Park. Perhaps the riders should also have the privilege of cleaning up the large amounts of horse poop left along the trails.
Anonymous
It is ironic that the West Valley Produce article was in last weeks paper. South Valley produce closed this last month, on Denman and Comox Street, after many years at that location. Like West Valley, this was a family-owned business. High rents have vacant storefronts on Denman as a result.
Anonymous
