Introductions - Vancouver-area man enters forum, reviles SUVs

Greetings to all!

Looking forward to communing with what must surely be an assortment of the finest people in the world. Over time, I hope that we may find commonality in our distaste for SUVs. Man, I hate SUVs. Don't you hate SUVs?

I'm a full-time commuting cyclist on a Kona Fire Mountain. I know, it's not the best commuter, but I got it to head up into the mountains on weekends, holidays and "sick" days. In fact, I'm feeling a little "fluish" right now.

Soon I hope to be prevailing on the expertise of this forum for much input on cycling, accessories, maintenance, ettiquette, activism, looking cool, and plotting the overthrow of SUV culture.

Regards 'n' stuff,

Konageezer

Welcome! I'm with you, man, but don't be surprised at the SUV lovers here!

Hey Konageezer. Not to criticize you taking a position on SUVs, but just for background, what is your position on alternatives to a SUV? Totally no negativity - just to understand where you're coming from. I mean, there's a range of transportation alternatives, with walking on one end of the continuum to chartering a resurrected Concorde on the other. Are you at the "no motorized vehicle" point on the continuum, or at the "Suburu is OK, but a Durango is not" point, or what? I'm at the "Durango met my needs when I bought it in '98 but I may be looking at a Suburu next time because all of the kids are out of the house and the dog died" point on the scale myself. Wish I lived in an area where I could bike to work safely, like you. Welcome to the Forum

IT'S BUBS!!

got any cheats?

Good morning, Terex.

I think my view on SUVs comes down to pretty much one crucial point. If you get mud on them, fair game. I totally support people getting off road for some motorized recreation if that's their trip.

My beef is with people who buy the big SUV and use it to drop their kid at school and go to the mall, when clearly a smaller car would suffice. It's as if they not only want to make the biggest, deepest ecological footprint possible, but they want to wear cleats when they do it.

People need cars—well, some people need cars—and I surely don't expect everyone to start cycling to work in a city as rainy as Vancouver. I just think the SUV is a lot of overkill. Why someone would want the headache of manoeuvering one of those huge land yachts through city traffic is beyond me.

My belief is that in a strictly urban environment, the SUV appeals to people who are afraid to drive. I think they're finding security in that big metal cage. Of course, people who fear to drive are potentially the most inexperienced, hesitant, flustered, perilous drivers out there.

So, in my urban cycling environment, I'm largely against them. This sentiment gets ramped up when one of them puts me in jeopardy.

Hope I didn't step on your toes,

Geezer

Hey, Spokesperson,

You can score icons from homestarrunner.com. I usually check in on Strongbad email, and at the bottom of that screen is a set of links to mail, toons, games, etc. One of those is downloads. Then just select "icons" and you can fill your boots with The Cheats if you like. As Strongbad would say:

"Hmmm… that sounds like it might be… pretty good."

Regards 'n' stuff,

Kona Geezer

greetings kona welcome to the forums . im going to be in the seattle vancouver area second week in may.
any tips on good resturaunts, hotels,cool places to see, nightlife in vancouver? places to stay away from?

Hey Geezer,

Good response. I'm pretty much with you. Bigger and bigger vehicles are kind of like the nuclear arms race. My "spare" vehicle is a Miata. Talk about feeling vulnerable in traffic - especially the dreaded "Rt. 1".

If more people rode bikes, they'd have a better appreciation of appropriate courtesy to cyclists and pedestrians.

Terex

Howdy Lofter,

Of course many things to see and eat and listen to in Vancouver, too much to catalogue here, so I'll paint with broad strokes.

First: My LBS is Denman Bike Shop. Small place, but super-friendly and accommodating owner. Stop in there for all your bike needs.

Areas to avoid: Downtown Eastside, east of Gastown, up as far as the Skytrain Station. Not a good neighbourhood, especially after business hours.

Places to eat: lots of funky eateries all up Main Street (concentrate your search between Broadway and 28th Ave. "Locus" is recommended), cheap and cheerful chicken shawarma (my favourite) at Falafel King on Denman near the bay. (get it to go and eat at the beach) Lots of other places along Denman, too. Robson Street has all the decent chains (Earl's, Cactus Club, Milestones, —even a Hooters, if you can believe it) Sophie's on West 4th Avenue is alleged to have the best breakfast in the city—always line-ups on the weekend.

Night life: Totally depends on your taste. When you get into town, pick up a free Georgia Straight newspaper and scope out their club listings. They cover it fairly extensively.

There are three or four places to rent bikes at the north end of Denman Street (close to Stanley Park) and the city has a fairly comprehensive network of bike routes to get yourself around. Get a map at any bikery.

Hope this is in some way helpful, and that Vancouver is good to you.

Geezer

If more people rode bikes, they'd have a better appreciation of appropriate courtesy to cyclists and pedestrians.

Terex

Solidarity, Sibling!

If everyone would apply "appropriate courtesy" in ALL their personal interactions, what a world it would be.

Ride on.

Konageezer

Welcome to the forums konageezer.

When operating my SUV, I am respectful of and courteous to cyclists. When on my bike, I am indifferent to those who are operating an SUV at the same time I ride. Rather I tend to concentrate on the safe operation of my bicycle. Neither do I consciously praise nor denegrate my opposing personas regarding their environmental footprint while I am using either one or the other. Certainly, the behaviors of others never enter my mind unless their conduct is directly causing me discomfort or danger.

Generally, even though I might prefer otherwise, I tend to concede to others the right to legally behave according to their own desires rather than mine.

… Neither do I consciously praise nor denegrate my opposing personas regarding their environmental footprint while I am using either one or the other. Certainly, the behaviors of others never enter my mind unless their conduct is directly causing me discomfort or danger.

Generally, even though I might prefer otherwise, I tend to concede to others the right to legally behave according to their own desires rather than mine.

Greetings Webist

I appreciate the measured tone of your response. My contention is that everyone's ecological footprint does effect everyone else, and needs to be considered.

And I do consciously praise those who I can see are trying to make a positive contribution to the greater good.

That being said, as Terex observed, appropriate courtesy ought to be observed at all times, and it is not my intention to give offense.

Sincerely,

Geezer

None taken.