An End to Mono-Culture

In a simple conclusion to this blog,
Wednesday I fly home again for a more permanent stay.

Here's a letter I wrote to the local paper, which I found somewhat cheeky.

Justin Brisbane

Editor

The Fitzhugh

626 Connaught Drive

Jasper, AB

TOE 1E0

May 29, 2009

A Push in the Wrong Direction

On Thursday May 28^th Jasper’s by-law officers orchestrated an offensive against the people who matter most – our town’s bicyclists. Stern warnings and tickets were distributed along Patricia and Connaught to riders caught disobeying the rules of the road, this meaning riding in the opposite direction of traffic and/or using the sidewalk.

What a problem we have on our hands here, right? People trying to get from point A to point B via the shortest distance possible? Disrupting foot traffic and the unbearable sight of objects moving against the predetermined direction? Please! I am truly disheartened by the by-law officer’s initiative here. They are cutting down the quintessential answer to all sustainable transportation problems - biking. Moreover, they are discrediting one of the purest activities we have in this “so called national park.” In a comparison to any other form of transportation, especially in a town of this size, biking is hands-down the most efficient mode of travel.

Jasper wants to be a progressive town but this example of old-time tradition and mentality has it at a standstill (somewhere around the time of the industrial revolution when resources were not of concern.) Leave us old bicyclists alone. We aren’t endangering anyone or anything. Or perhaps we should all turn to the auto to make things easier on these officers?

- Jon Lee

Toronto (Former Jasper Resident)