This column is written as imaginary correspondence between Byron the Bicyclist and Maddie the Motorist.
Dear Byron the Bicyclist.
Some provincial and federal leaders tell us they will abolish the carbon tax. Why? To make life more affordable, they say.
I know the cost of living has gone up a lot and many people struggle to make ends meet. But is “axing the tax” the solution?
Signed; Maddie the Motorist
Dearest Maddie. No. They are buying votes, not solutions. There are better ways to reduce the cost of living.
And if we, one of the most blessed countries with lots of natural resources don’t do our part to try to slow climate change, poorer countries will say: “If Canada isn’t doing their part, why should we?” They want the same standard of living we do.
How can we lower our cost of living? According to Statistics Canada, the average cost of transportation for a household in 2021 was $10,091 a year or 11 per cent of income.
Quoting Scott Hannah of the BC Credit Counselling Society, Global News reports the cost of owning and operating a motor vehicle is from $8,600 to $13,000. Many households have two vehicles.
One way to reduce transportation costs is with a BC Transit pass. In Williams Lake is only $43 a month; less for seniors and students with children under 12 free. (https://www.bctransit.com/williams-lake/fares/)
In 26 B.C. communities, e-scooters are an option. They are piloting their introduction on an area by area basis. People rent them and can ride them within some communities. It has proven popular with people who are not comfortable on bicycles. This I learned at the recent BC Active Transportation Summit in June.
And, need I say it? You could bike or walk more.
Snowing or raining? A Dutch expression: “You are not made of sugar, are you?
Signed, Byron the Bicyclist
Bert Groenenberg is a pedestrian, cyclist and motorist.
