The Things You See

When riding a scooter.

Within the last eleven months. I've visited five cities. Ottawa, several times, Montreal,Vancouver,Seattle and Tacoma.

I've been in Toronto. But not on a scooter.You notice stuff when you're on a scooter.

Sidewalks and roads and other infrastructure in all of the cities are in notably poor repair.

Except for Toronto.I know nothing about property tax rates. I do know broken roads and sidewalks are a liability. They are not neglected unless resources aren't there to keep them in good repair. It's not a matter of political priorities. Insurance premiums rise when claims are high.

Toronto's Mayor David Miller boasts his city has the lowest tax rate in the GTA. The claim weakens his argument when he demands support from senior levels of government for services like public transit.

Before being elected to the top job , David Miller had experience on Council. He is a lawyer by profession. Wordsmith and logic are both useful skills for an elected representative. Despite regular negative comments, voters give the legal profession a high rating.

David Miller is not running again, after one term on Council. He doesn't have the stamina. It was a waste of his and the voters' investment. He has been an unremarkable Mayor. Four years was sufficient to make an impression.

The computer scandal and the garbage workers' strike will be his legacy.It may not be fair but nobody who knows ever suggests politics are easy.

When I visited Ottawa and Vancouver years ago, I was impressed by cleanliness, order. and a sense of pride and well-being.

As centres of tourism,.it needs to be. Tourism is a large part of our national economy.

National investment should be in place.

Especially since Brian Mulrooney's Free Trade Agreement sent industrial jobs south.

So....I have to tell you about how easy it was to tour with a Go-go scooter.

I rented it for two weeks from Shoppers Health Centre. It comes apart in four pieces which fit into a car trunk.

Air Canada allows it to be driven to the door of the plane from whence it goes to baggage. When the plane lands, after other passengers have left, the scooter is once again waiting at the door.
There is no extra charge for baggage or the service.

Air Canada just has to know in advance.

Vancouver public transit is completely accessible. Steps on buses are lowered and the driver
gets out of the bus and puts a ramp in place.

Seats in the bus are folded up to make room.. Facility with maneuvering the machine is needed. Other passengers are obliged to make way for a passenger on a mobility device.

The sky train is completely accessible. Wide doors and aisles are easy- peasy.

We used a taxi once. The elevator at the ferry was out of order. The ferry service called for a cab and it was provided at no cost. The cab had a ramp. It was an interesting experience.

Anywhere public transit goes in Vancouver, a scooter can go.

We provided our own transportation in the States, so I couldn't make the same comparison. What I saw though was positive.

Hotels are not all accessible but most are. It can be determined beforehand. Robyn, Heather's sixteen year old daughter made all our arrangements on line. We had an itinerary in a folder. Complete with street maps.

Comfort Inn was the last stop in Tacoma . We had a room on the ground floor,not far from the entrance. Instead of bringing in the scooter , Heather brought in the battery to be charged overnight.

The scooter costs $75, a week to rent.

If anyone out there with limited mobility has a yen to travel , fear no more.

There are places to see and enjoy. All you need is a friend, a go-go scooter and you're off to the races.

I digressed again, didn't I?