(07-21-2022, 04:22 PM)Acitta Wrote:(07-21-2022, 03:30 PM)dtkvictim Wrote: While bike theft isn't entirely analogous, I think it's close enough to prove that at a larger scale these "protests" could have the desired effect. I don't have a single bike I'm willing to lose, and so any trip that would require me to lock my bike outside is a trip I probably won't take by bike. This is despite me being an advocate for cycling and it hasn't changed my mind on the issue it all, but it has still affected my behaviour. In fact, I actually bought a folding bike specifically to make more trips by bike while not having to lock it outside, so it also influenced my purchasing choices.
Obviously the objective of bike thieves isn't to stop people from cycling (probably the opposite, so they can steal more bikes), but the effect is still the same.
Then how do you get around? Do you take public transit to do your shopping rather than take your bike?
I'm curious what your approach is. I know you had or have a fairly nice ebike, have you had theft issues? What is your approach?
As for your question: I don't have a simple answer, both for shopping or for general transportation, but generally any of the following
- Walking, I walk a lot - often hours a day because I enjoy it. Marche Leos, Sobeys, Legacy Greens, Fore Quarter, Kitchener Market are all within daily walking distance from downtown and provide daily needs (Unfortunately no more Full Circle since they moved, been harassed and physically touched too many times, especially my female partner)
- Bringing my folding bike into the store, though it can't carry more than a couple days worth of food
- If my partner and I are biking together, one of us may run in while the other waits with the bikes
- I will bike to friends or workplaces where I can store my bike securely indoors
- ION when possible (haven't been on a bus in over 3 years though, I just don't enjoy it and will find alternatives)
- Delivery services
- Uber/Taxi/Communauto when absolutely required (time sensitive, unsafe alternatives, or moving large amounts of stuff)
I will most likely sell an existing bike to make room for a cheap bike that I don't mind being stolen though - I enjoy biking and it would be liberating to use a bike for even more trips, without the anxiety. I'm also staring down the need to purchase a car for out of city trips (thanks to our abysmal provincial transportation network), so it would probably replace any Uber or car share trips.