Lighten Up in the New Millennium
Wheel Life column - 8 January, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Our New Year's resolution is to lighten up!

Last week's column was unnecessarily negative about the Millennium celebration. We predicted it would be "one of history's greatest anti-climaxes" and proceeded to lecture you, our dear readers, about the problems of unsustainable economic growth. What were we thinking?

We wrote that column in mid-December when the warnings were dire and the predictions gloomy. The whole Millennium thing seemed a big bother. But a funny thing happened -when First Night arrived we found the celebrations both enjoyable and meaningful.

Our family had a great time with tens of thousands of other celebrants at the Inner Harbour festivities. It was a grand street fair where everybody enjoyed entertainment, and friends and strangers alike shared a special sense of togetherness. Even the fleet of bike police had a good time once it became clear that the event was peaceful and safe.

This event, and others like it, show what can happen when we reclaim the streets as public spaces that foster creative human interaction. We are not anti-automobile, but we are certainly aware of the real benefits to individuals, businesses and the community when people get out of their cars to walk, cycle and play.

A special thanks to the many visionaries and volunteers who supported our city's celebrations!

Millennium fireworks are now memories, and Hanukah menorahs and Christmas lights packed away, but the season to be bright and showy isn't over. "Lighten up" is a good New Year's resolution for cyclists and pedestrians, and we're not just talking attitude.

Lights and bright colours make you be seen and not hurt! Long hours of darkness, and wet, foggy days mean that cyclists, runners and pedestrians must take extra precautions to be visible.

Wear white, bright yellow and florescent clothing. At night cyclist need at least a white light in front and a red light to the rear when riding in dim or dark conditions. But that is a bare minimum. When it comes to getting drivers' attention, the more dazzle the better. Think like a Las Vegas art director.

Use copious amounts of reflective materials whenever conditions are dim enough that car headlights are on. Choose jackets, tights, gloves and shoes with reflective strips, and stick reflective material all over your bike, like decorating a Christmas tree or preparing for a New Years parade. You want to sparkle.

Local bike and running shops carry reflective tape for clothing and bikes ($4-8), reflective and illuminated arm bands ($5-15), reflective vests ($25 to $30) and flashing lights ($10 and up). Safety equipment stores also carry reflective materials, stocked between fire extinguishers and hazardous material cleanup kits. Local manufacturer, Thomas T. Tucker Fashion (385-1640), specializes in producing reflective accessories for all sorts of outdoor activities, from sashes for cyclists, to dog leashes for four-legged pedestrians.