Bicycles mean exploration.

I've recently made one of the largest purchases of my life.

While living in this city I've taken the odd road trip up north and have gone on a hand-full of hikes leading me to where the city meets the country-side.  Both have given me a brief fix of nature and silence - two essential components which many of us lack in our urban lives.

Though after living downtown for nearly 8 months I've recently decided that a mere hike to the edge of the city isn't enough.  Living in the most urban setting I've ever lived in has left my 'exploration quota' neglected and time spent away from the city minimal.  Hiking to areas of the city where traffic can still be heard has become barely sufficient - far from refreshing or rejuvenating.

So I bought myself a bicycle.

A touring bicycle.

A friend got me a sweet deal on it so I jumped on the timely opportunity.  Over the past week I've taken it out for a few rides, while yesterday I took it on its first day trip out of the city.  In a few weeks time this new and endless ticket out of town will take me to Lake Erie.  The plan is to prep for a larger bike tour for later on in the summer - anywhere I can get using 100% pedal power.  Care to join?  Any recommendations??

                                                     And summer exploration begins!

Planning and planting for locally produced food...

The warmth has arrived and so have many ideas for growing both tasty and local food.

A few friends and myself have begun this seasons planting of vegetables and fruits both within and just outside of the city.  This afternoon a group of us made out way out to a friends property on the 6th Concession for a planting party to kick start her garden into the growing season.

Why grow your own?

Gas prices are high, and will just get higher.  
The average Canadian meal comes from 2500 kms away. 

If we really want to stimulate the economy we should be buying things produced locally.  If we are to blindly choose to purchase imported goods over local goods (Chilean apples vs. Ontario apples), we are giving into an economy dependent on oil and an economy which is dependent on foreign markets (stable or unstable).  There are too many variables.

As time goes on, food miles will determine the cost of food at our grocery stores, rather than well-negotiated trade agreements.

Buy local!

City of Wateloo to become the first city in Canada to build Complete Streets!

What does that mean?

check out their website!

This means that:
a) Waterloo streets will be safer, 
b) Waterloo communities will be healthier, and 
c) Waterloo air will be cleaner 

...all through giving people more options to walk, cycle and use transit to reach their destination.

Incomplete streets - road designed mainly for movement of vehicular traffic - exclude safe passage for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users.

Building complete streets will guarantee that infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users will be routinely accommodated in the city’s transportation plans. 

They are the first city in Canada to adopt such a policy, which has been used in numerous municipalities throughout the States.

Check out this article for more info!

“If you have six-lane roads everywhere it means you have lots of cars and it is really hard to walk or cycle in that environment ... I think Complete Streets is really putting the focus where it needs to be — thinking about the most vulnerable user first and then designing around that.” 

- Phil Hewitson, Director of Transportation, City of Waterloo

The economics of walkability

Check out this article published in the Hamilton Spectator today by Christopher Leinberger - he discusses walkable neighbourhoods as being more economcally viable than suburban neighbourhoods.

"While cities are thriving and growing, suburbs have grown more congested, less green, even more car-centric and been pushed further out into the hinterland ... What is in trouble is the entry level, low-end fringe development. Those are the next slums.”

-Christopher Leinberger