Skip to content

Letter: Pentictonites: Ditch the lead sled and be Lola-granola planet-saving hippy

Letter writer loves using his bike to get around and will not insure his SUV this summer
29502423_web1_220622-PWN-Letter-LoveBikeLanes_2
A letter writer says he much prefers biking everywhere around town, sometimes using the new bike lanes and urges others to ditch the ‘lead sled’. (File photo)

Editor

I went from a frequent complainer of the cycling lanes to an enthusiastic supporter. It has saved me thousands.

Like everyone out there, I had at least one vehicle insured and driven daily. Four years ago, after purchasing an e-bike, I started insuring it for three months in the winter and three in the summer. This year, inspired by two bucks plus for a litre of gas, I don’t see me insuring my SUV in the summer. Nine months cycling in Penticton is very easy, despite what Penticton’s small and vocal anti-cycling, anti bike-lane, climate change denying contingent think. Cycling in Dec., Jan., Feb., is spotty, but can be done on some days. I am giving serious thought to getting rid of that lead sled in my driveway and becoming a full-time Lola granola, green as grass, planet saving hippy.

My grocery run to Safeway from my Maurice Street home (in the area of the casino) gives me two options. I can take an adventurous often times nail biting ride up side streets, lanes, cut through Kings park, etc., or I can ride to the bike track and to Safeway from there. Not a whole lot of adventure (nice way of saying danger) or nail biting on the bike track. I have timed both routes and the bike track adds one minute to my ride. Seven minutes for backroad adventure vs eight minutes on the cycling track (front door of my house to the front door of Safeway). I haven’t timed how long it takes to unlock my driveway gate, drive my truck to Safeway, park and walk to the front door of Safeway, but I bet it’s comparable. One thing for sure, the bike ride will be cheaper.

I’m personally not negatively affected by rising interest rates, but many people are. When I hear one of four homeowners may have to sell their homes if interest rates rise (most likely to occur again in mid-July and in early Sept.), I can’t help but wonder. Have you given any thought to lowering your transportation costs instead of selling your home? Have you done the math? Does “You’ll have to pry those car keys from my cold dead hands” sound familiar?

Good grief.

George Murai

Penticton