Re: “Nelson to help staff buy electric bikes,” April 11
The city bicycle loan program is an excellent idea and council and staff should be applauded for their leadership in initiating it. This is a response to the few but loud naysayers that have difficulty with municipal change and progress.
Driving a vehicle is a luxury and a privilege that taxpayers subsidize heavily and comes with both heavy financial and health costs to society. This rarely gets brought up by individuals concerned with environmental subsidy/incentive programs.
For those locals who apparently love to drive and drive a lot, why are you complaining? More people on bikes equals less cars in your way on the road and more parking. Why would you argue against this?
If you are under 16, have a disability, cannot afford a vehicle or the maintenance costs that come with it, or are no longer allowed to drive due to your age and diminishing faculties, driving is not an option. Taxis, transit, cycling and walking, or your beloved relatives are going to keep you mobile, not your personal vehicle.
Councillor Keith Page mentioned the implementation of this program being no different than the current set-up for city staff to purchase RDCK recreation passes. Has this program financially devastated the community?
The writing is on the wall. This is the direction the community, province and nations worldwide are heading. Cheap gas will soon be a thing of the past and it’s already cost prohibitive in most other areas of the world. Your ability to drive everywhere in a gas or diesel vehicle will diminish, unless you are affluent enough to keep up the habit, in which case municipal taxes shouldn’t bother you.
Finally, I hope your friends, family and especially grandchildren, who I’m sure want to ride a bicycle — and it is their right to do so safely and with encouragement — can help you to accept the changes that are coming, and convince you to be a part of positive solution that will benefit your community.
Anna Lamb-Yorski
Nelson