Serial Jay, myself, les vélos and a pedestrian/fashionista on a busy morning. Serial Jay, myself, les vélos and a pedestrian/fashionista on a busy morning.
The city is abuzz with the proposed public transit fare hikes. See here and here and here. If approved, these increases would be implemented in January, ie in the dead of winter--when most people do not have any other choice than to use public transit. Regardless of who is to blame/funding issues, this is obviously problematic. No one ever wants to pay *more* for something. Don't even get me started on rapport qualite-prix.
I'm lucky enough to live fairly close to work. Close enough to admit that taking transit during the non-winter months is a bit of a luxury. Hence the vélo love. But can I honestly consider not taking transit on the dark, snowy, windy days that are sure to come? Je ne sais pas.
Best to enjoy the bicycle-friendly November days while they last! Started off here:
To pop in here:
And have some of this:
Passed this while heading out:
How many more bicycle-friendly days do we have left? Or, what solution, if any, do you have for the proposed fare hike?
I've written about Pedestrian Sundays before. Today marked the final PS of the year and it was a must-do for my Sunday afternoon. What can you find, aside from the usual market goods?
Quirky buskers and quirky bicycles ("Organic flower guy" as per the puppet). To be fair, I've seen this busker before on Queen St. and at Buskerfest, but he seems so at home in Kensington.
...more bikes and more shops...which are not exclusive to Pedestrian Sundays, I know...
...just like this hidden bike shop.
Dancing (?) in the street. There was one gentleman in black who was obviously a clown, but I'm not sure about the rest. Older men dancing with hankerchiefs and grelots? Any explanation would be greatly appreciated.
Scooby-Doo (or Scrappy Doo) hanging out among the bubbles.
Closing a cluster of streets to cars one day a month for 6 months seems like such a little thing, but what a difference it makes. The streets are alive--with people! I love how Pedestrian Sundays promotes walking, biking and transit in such a positive light.
Adieu P.S. Kensington...à l'année prochaine!
On my bike, I experience the city in a much more intimate way compared to when I'm on transit or in a car. Yes, I am alert and fully engaged in traffic. But even better, I can feel the wind in my hair, the street becomes a landscape of sights and sounds...and I can actually see the city.
Here is an example of what I saw yesterday morning on my ride into work.
La vi(lle)e est belle en vélo, n'est-ce pas?
Things have been very hectic lately, so I was looking forward to a lazy Sunday. (Poor SerialJay was otherwise occupied). First stop, brunch. Bon appétit!
One of these bicycles belongs to a super-groovy waitress. When she mentioned her bike was across the street, I couldn't help taking a peak (and a pic).
Follwed by a quick run to the grocery store for quelques courses. I'm always amazed at how much more you carry around en vélo vs by foot or transit. Ensuite je suis rentrée pour poursuivre mon dimanche décontracté chez moi:)
I've been a delinquent in my bike riding recently...the truth is, I got completely drenched one day on my way into work and it took me a while to recover (mentally).
Soon enough I missed the crisp autumn air in my face as I breezed through traffic (and I also hated waiting 20 mins or so for a streetcar), so I bundled up and trotted out le vélo.
It seems like the entire city is en travaux, even the teeny side streets.
Some people (like SerialJay) have a knack for taking pix while riding. Pas moi.
I was rewarded for braving the cold because that night turned into...date night! En vélo, c'est encore mieux.
The best thing about riding a bike is that it gets you to A to B...and C and D, etc. It sounds simple, but I think some people forget that a bicycle is a legitimate means of transportation--it's not just something you "do" for a workout.
Here is an example of a bike-filled day: fun, function and l'effort physique combined.
I started by day by running some errands before work.
On my actual commute, I spotted this awesome pink BMX! Thanks to Alex, for letting me take this picture and for rocking an awesome pose.
I made it to work, but forgot to take photo. Oops. Insert imaginary picture of my bike locked at a ring and post stand here.
It was a Farmer's Market Day, so I offer you a picture of some lovely pumpkins instead.
Later on, I made my way over to a community meeting.
To get there, I made a point of trying a "bike lane only" route (something I can't do for when I ride to work). My impressions on this day: while I appreciated that the painted white line meant that I didn't have to worry as much about the cars driving on my left, I was even more preoccupied with watching out for cars moving in and out of the bike lane to park, as well as the bus, which also weaved in and out of the bike lane to pick-up and drop-off passengers.
In any case, I got there early and spent a bit of time drooling over a couple of very snazzy racing bikes.
Plus tard, SerialJay showed up and Murdoch had to join in as well.
At the end of the evening, SerialJay was starving since he arrived straight from work. So off we went for some casual French fare (évidemment): moules-frites et crêpes.
Et voilà, à vélo from A to Z and from day to night.
Vélo Cité
About Us
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C'est simple, on fait du vélo dans la ville. Conquering little a's fear of streetcar lines, one bike ride at a time. Casques vélo pas obligatoires pour les expatriés.
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