Idling out

Photo courtesy of camthman

As a person who spends a large chunk of the year at the skatepark, rides a bike almost everywhere, likes kids, camps and hikes a lot, and loves to revel in the joys of a fresh dump, I heartily support the spirit behind Vancouver's new anti-idling bylaw, which hits the streets today. But if the reigning attitudes towards the laws that deal with speeding, running red lights, ignoring stop signs, driving drunk, and running over pedestrians on crosswalks are any indicator, there's a good chance that it's just another traffic bylaw that won't be taken seriously. The District of North Vancouver has had an anti-idling bylaw since 2000 and apparently nobody's been charged yet. None of the tour buses that stop at Capilano Canyon or Grouse Mountain idle for more than three minutes? Uh-huh. I guess we'll just have to see what happens six months from now when enforcement is scheduled to begin.

But in the meantime? If you're a car driver who habitually idles your car, try turning it off when you're not driving. You'll be doing your friends, your kids, your kids' kids, me, your friends' kids, yourself... etc. a huge favour. Or better yet, ditch your car altogether and get on the bike train, it's way more fun.

And please, no complaints about needing air conditioning. This is Vancouver. Spend a summer somewhere that actually gets hot and humid, and then try to keep a straight face whilst complaining about 33 degrees of bone-dry heat.