Occupy West Van

Let's start a movement to take back the public space in our community.  My title may seem ironic; after all West Vancouver is where many of B.C.'s fat cats live. But even West Van has its social hierarchy and walking my scruffy dog while picking up trash in the morning apparently puts us at the lower end. Moreover, West Van has tons of public space; way more that our other neighbourhood in West L.A. Indeed, I live across from beautiful Memorial Park and a few houses from the creekside Village Walk, all recently open to dogs (on leash). So why am I complaining, and, worse, organizing?

It all started this morning when a big white SUV blocked the cross-walk at 21st and Inglewood in the midst of school drop off rush hour. This forced Lucy and I into Inglewood, where we were narrowly avoided by a fast moving German car. I was shaken up, and informed the driver (of the SUV) that she should be back at the stop line. She apologized, and explained that she was sticking out because of "the sight lines in West Van". But I didn't accept her apology.  I agree about the sight lines, but that's her (the driver's) problem. We peds and puppies shouldn't pay the price (in risk of harm) of driving in this overgrown suburb. I submit that she should have moved back (initially, when I tried to enter the cross-walk).

Was I right and she wrong. No, we were both wrong, because I didn't calmly point out my solution: just back up and worry about the other cars once Lucy and I are safe. Instead, I regrettably restated the preferences I took her excuse to entail: 'So "fuck the pedestrian?"' For this lapse I apologize (I know, too late, but at least publicly). I also comment the driver for her cool "I didn't say those words. Nice dog." (One lesson: a cute puppy soothes social interaction.)

Can we generalize the lessons learned?

Attitude Follows Altitude 

Like many suburbs, West Van gets less civil with altitude. Around the Sea Wall, joggers and walkers, largely new Canadians, fill Argyle and discipline cars to near northern European norms. But higher up, and worst in the British Properties, speeds go up and attention to, and numbers of peds go way down. 


Thanks to Randy Cohen, whose excellent If Kant Were a New York Cyclist inspired this post and approach.