cycling in Los Angeles and cycling in Melbourne - Page 2

Paul J wrote:
> I wonder how many car owners actually weigh up the true expense of owning a car, new or old, and
> decide that the added financial burden would outstrip the convenience of owning a car. This would
> have to include a commitment to regular maintenance of an older vehicle.
>
> I see far to many old bombs on the road. No brakes, no lights, smokey exhaust. This is socially
> irresponsible. <snip>

Agreed - in NSW you can report smokey vehicles to the RTA on 131555. They will ask your name, where
you saw the car, it's rego/model/colour, and what type of smoke it was blowing and for how long
(they want to catch the chronic smoke-blowers, not people starting their cars on a cold morning).

I think if a petrol car gets reported twice, they send the owner a notice, and if it's a diesel, it
only takes one report (something to do with different expected levels of smoke, I dunno).

&roo

catch the chronic smoke-blowers, not people starting their cars on a
: cold morning).

Thats right. Most cars blow steam on a cold morning.

:
: I think if a petrol car gets reported twice, they send the owner a notice, and if it's a diesel,
: it only takes one report

I never knew you could report cars. Or if you did anything would be done. I have seen some shockers.

Notice that I mentioned that people in the US are much more passionate about their motor cars than we are here in Oz. I made no mention about the size of their cars. But since you mentioned it, the size of their cars may indicate how passionately they "believe" in the almighty automobile. In fact, in the eyes of many of their citizens the automobile is an inaleinable right to be protected with religious zeal.

Andy White <> wrote in message
> Take Kennett as an example. During his initial election campaign he said under his g'ment things
> were going to get bad in the short term, but to stick with him and in the long run they'd be
> better. He's still there. Just goes to show people are smarter than you think.

That really is quite funny seeing as he's long gone. Apparently people ARE smarter than you think...

In article <350e54c1.0309251814.157b1196@posting.google.com>, sean_clift@yahoo.com says...
> Andy White <> wrote in message
> > Take Kennett as an example. During his initial election campaign he said under his g'ment things
> > were going to get bad in the short term, but to stick with him and in the long run they'd be
> > better. He's still there. Just goes to show people are smarter than you think.
>
> That really is quite funny seeing as he's long gone. Apparently people ARE smarter than you
> think...
>
Doh! Ok, bad example. But I'm sure there is one somewhere ;-)

I think the idea that we would be better off with 'newer' cars on the road is false. The manufacturing process is just as polluting and wastefull to the environment as is driving an old car.


Anyway to quote the great Dr Karl

and

I think the idea that we would be better off with 'newer' cars on the
: road is false. The manufacturing process is just as polluting and wastefull to the environment as
: is driving an old car.

If it was an equivalent situation then the newer cars would be better for cyclists. However there
are many other social downfalls to making everyone have modern cars.

: Anyway to quote the great http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/trek/s268283.htmDr Karl

Thanks for this. That was a good read. I like Dr Karl. I like it because I cycle to the rail 21km's
then catch the train to work. Ditto in the afternoon. So I am using the 2 most efficient forms of
transport.

Pete