A Non-Political Political Post

 

Here's a fun little story about e-scooters, city trails and municipal elections.

They're green now.  Those little scooters you can use to get around town.  I've never tried one myself, but when I'm walking along the city trails near our place, there are a few places where they are all lined up ready to go.  Often as not someone passes me on one.

This story didn't happen when I was walking though.  And I wasn't on the scooter myself either.  But it demonstrates something about getting around in different ways besides a car that surprised me.

I was driving from my house close to Belmont and Victoria, heading to a follow-up dentist appointment on Bridgeport just past the plaza but before you get to King Street.  These details will only matter to folks who think maps in their head, but the layout of this is part of the story.

At Belmont and Union, on Union, I had to stop rather suddenly because a man on an e-scooter came zipping out to cross at the crosswalk, still riding on the scooter.  He was going really fast!  That made me notice him, of course, and I'm so glad I did.  He wasn't wearing a helmet, and he looked like he actually could be dressed for office work, with a longer dark coat trailing out behind him.  Against any stereotype of reckless youth, he seemed a bit older to me.  Not as old as me, mind you, but not a wild kid either.  Graying hair, dress shoes.  Just zipping along the city trail on his way to who knows where.

I continued, and, hey, there he was again!  Crossing in front of me at a crosswalk, still on the city trail.  I couldn't help but notice, and also be somewhat impressed that he was making such good time if he was able to catch up to me.

So here's the thing.  He crossed in front of me three more times between our first encounter and my final destination!  The last time was just as I was pulling into the parking lot, and he was continuing his way on up to Waterloo.  That means he was able to make the very same time on his scooter than I did in my van.  All thanks to our city trails, and a willingness to ride that scooter at a decent speed.

Not only was that an interesting and amusing little thing that just happened there, but I also thought it was a good advertisement for the city's provision of both the trails and the scooters.  Whatever efforts are being made to reduce our carbon emissions by encouraging alternate modes of transportation, this seems to be working.  At least for this guy it did.

So thank you City of Kitchener.  And I guess I should say thank you to whatever municipal offices take care of these things.  The trails in our neighbourhood are well tended and pleasant for both walking and riding.  I don't want to take that for granted.

And it makes me realize that, off the top of my head, I have no sweet clue what part of our municipal government does take care of that.  And that makes me realize that I really have very little knowledge of municipal matters at all.  Which brings me to the elections happening this coming Monday. 

I am speaking just for myself here, but shame on me.  As someone who says they want to share the message of Jesus, and believes that His message was all about people being properly looked after, hadn't I better be at least basically informed about what's going on in my city?  Sure, about the trails, but also, and far more importantly, about the people?

Caveat:  In these days where the convolution of religion (with various belief systems) and politics (at all levels) seems more bent out of shape than usual, I am not on a soapbox to press for any specific agenda.  I am a pastor, not a politician, and I make a very clear distinction between those two.  Like I said, just speaking for myself.

But as a citizen, as a Christian citizen, I am seeking to becoming more engaged.  Not just with this election, although there is that.  But with what's going on in our neighbourhoods.  Voting is the very barest minimum we can do.  Informed voting is next up on the list.  Where it takes me from there will be interesting.

Base line is some reading.  And I offer this CTV Article Meet the Candidates as a place to begin.  Do your own research, of course.  Vote your own conscience, of course.

And if you're out on an e-scooter making good time riding around on the trails of the city, good on you!  Slow down a little at the crosswalks though.  And if you're driving around the city, pay attention at those crosswalks.  

Just sayin'.