[YoshiPal2010]

Originally Posted by iaink This is another canadian attitude in a a nutshell. 40mpg is considered OK, in fact pretty good here. In europe there are plenty of alternatives pushing 60 mpg.

Yes, 60mpg is very good, but who wants to drive across the Rockies, or even up to Edmonton from Calgary in a dinky, little Fiat 500? Even the newly-arrived Brits seem want to go out and buy a honking great SUV! Besides, driving should still be fun. And I have got around 42mpg (computed) out of my 'Stang! (And I am a Brit!)

[Jsmth321]

I can get eco-friendly soaps and cleaning stuff pretty much for the same price as normal cleaning stuff if I take the time to find the sales, and stock up when they are on sale, otherwise they tend to cost more and are not worth buying.

Recycling and such largely depends on where one lives, where I live the city has curbside program for single family homes, but apartments and condos its up to the owner/manager of the building.

My current building doesn't offer any recycling so except for soda cans and bottles that I take to get the refund, everything else goes into the garbage as without a car its too difficult to deal with taking recycling on the bus.

I have yet to live in an apartment building that offered recycling, most cite it being too expensive to provide when asked.

[Japonica]

Originally Posted by iaink I watched that "pioneer quest" show on TV with interest. They were line drying clothes that literally froze stiff as a board.

I had a clothesline in Edmonton, a temporary one, that I used from about April to October every year. I'd know it was time to pack it up for the winter when the clothes came in hard as a rock.

[lmartin999]

Originally Posted by YoshiPal2010 Yes, 60mpg is very good, but who wants to drive across the Rockies, or even up to Edmonton from Calgary in a dinky, little Fiat 500? Even the newly-arrived Brits seem want to go out and buy a honking great SUV! Besides, driving should still be fun. And I have got around 42mpg (computed) out of my 'Stang! (And I am a Brit!)

I once rented a Mustang convertible while visiting Vancouver. It was awful in every respect. Like driving a large ocean liner but with no swimming pool. The same would apply to any SUV. A Fiat 500 would be a far better alternative.

[el_richo]

I think "Tim Hortons" should give an indications of how Eco friendly Canada is.

[lmartin999]

Originally Posted by el_richo I think "Tim Hortons" should give an indications of how Eco friendly Canada is.

Or just how sad it is. Not that there is anything wrong with glorifying a drunk driver:

Early on the morning of February 21, 1974, Horton was driving on the Queen Elizabeth Way from Toronto to his home in Buffalo after the Sabres had played in Toronto the night before, in his De Tomaso Pantera sports car, a gift from Sabres GM George "Punch" Imlach. He was navigating a curve on the QEW where it crosses over Twelve Mile Creek in St. Catharines when he lost control and hit a concrete culvert. The impact flipped the vehicle and Horton, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. Horton was reported dead on arrival at the local hospital. A police officer pursuing Horton's vehicle said that he had been travelling at over 160 km/h (100 mph). There were reports that Horton had consumed a considerable amount of vodka, and was rumoured to have been taking pain killers due to a jaw injury suffered in practice the day before. An autopsy report released in 2005 showed Horton had a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit. The blood test also showed signs of amobarbital, which was possibly a residue from the Dexamyl pills that were found on Horton's body."

Any normal country would consider this an embarrassment and shut the whole operation down.

[dbd33]

Originally Posted by lmartin999 Or just how sad it is. Not that there is anything wrong with glorifying a drunk driver: Early on the morning of February 21, 1974, Horton was driving on the Queen Elizabeth Way from Toronto to his home in Buffalo after the Sabres had played in Toronto the night before, in his De Tomaso Pantera sports car, a gift from Sabres GM George "Punch" Imlach. He was navigating a curve on the QEW where it crosses over Twelve Mile Creek in St. Catharines when he lost control and hit a concrete culvert. The impact flipped the vehicle and Horton, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. Horton was reported dead on arrival at the local hospital. A police officer pursuing Horton's vehicle said that he had been travelling at over 160 km/h (100 mph). There were reports that Horton had consumed a considerable amount of vodka, and was rumoured to have been taking pain killers due to a jaw injury suffered in practice the day before. An autopsy report released in 2005 showed Horton had a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit. The blood test also showed signs of amobarbital, which was possibly a residue from the Dexamyl pills that were found on Horton's body." Any normal country would consider this an embarrassment and shut the whole operation down.

Well yes, there's no stretch of the QEW that's not easily navigable at 100mph in a VW, nevermind a Pantera. But then we know posters here have a dim view of Canadians ability to drive.

[Pine Cone]

Originally Posted by YoshiPal2010 Yes, 60mpg is very good, but who wants to drive across the Rockies, or even up to Edmonton from Calgary in a dinky, little Fiat 500?

I've done the drive from Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and across to Victoria in a dinky Honda Civic and it was plenty big enough.

[The4BellsLondon]

Hmmm I think the 70% figure el richo is referring to relates to bike and transit journeys to and from work with 30% being car dependent. _ but am still awaiting copy of the relevant report ! Will let u know ASAP!

I have a Subaru cos I wanted safety in winter for ski ing and I needed to be able to fit the dig box in- I have a forester - it JUST fits!

[ExKiwilass]

Originally Posted by The4BellsLondon Hmmm I think the 70% figure el richo is referring to relates to bike and transit journeys to and from work with 30% being car dependent. _ but am still awaiting copy of the relevant report ! Will let u know ASAP! I have a Subaru cos I wanted safety in winter for ski ing and I needed to be able to fit the dig box in- I have a forester - it JUST fits!

Great to hear if it's true! I knew I wasn't imagining all those queues to get on teh bus...

[el_richo]

Originally Posted by The4BellsLondon Hmmm I think the 70% figure el richo is referring to relates to bike and transit journeys to and from work with 30% being car dependent. _ but am still awaiting copy of the relevant report ! Will let u know ASAP! I have a Subaru cos I wanted safety in winter for ski ing and I needed to be able to fit the dig box in- I have a forester - it JUST fits!

It was either in the paper or on telly so can't find any info on it other than a quick google brought up the 2010 stat showing 32% of people living downtown, or very close to, use transit. 17% outside of downtown use transit.

It doesn't mention walking or cycling figures but i imagine they would be quite low for those living outside downtown commuting in, or visa versa so maybe the figures it reported didn't include those.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-.../tblbx-eng.htm

[The4BellsLondon]

It was a recently done report and survey by the DT Business development agency - think ..

[el_richo]

Originally Posted by The4BellsLondon It was a recently done report and survey by the DT Business development agency - think ..

I wonder how many people cycled into work this morning

[The4BellsLondon]

Originally Posted by el_richo I wonder how many people cycled into work this morning

My hubby did!

[el_richo]

Originally Posted by The4BellsLondon My hubby did!

Crazy wet bastard