"Biker" commented on an earlier post about the Cruising on King vintage car rally in downtown Kitchener tonight.
As much as I love to look at antique and classic cars, it does seem like an unnecessary addition of pre-emission-controls exhaust gases to an already hot and stuffy day.
And it is ironic that a Critical Mass of bicycles from Waterloo Park to Victoria Park, that slows traffic in one lane of King Street, is considered by some to be a nuisance, while a convoy of fume-belching metal dinosaurs from Victoria Park to Kitchener Civic Square, that actually closes King Street to all traffic, is considered a event worthy of sponsorship and promotion.
Maybe what cyclists need to do is dig out some velocipedes, penny-farthings and other oddball bikes and have a sanctioned event (complete with live music and a hot dog stand).
Ok...please don't compare bicycles to vintage, classic and sometimes rare vehicles that have stood up to the test of time or the time, sweat and money spent on them to bring them back to life!!
Besides who has the time or is willing to spend their time walking down King St. to look at any type of bike, vintage or not... it's still just a BIKE!
Posted by: Rob | July 13, 2012 at 04:33 PM
I was coming back from Toronto on the Greyhound and the bus was held up for about 15 minutes on Charles Street because of this thing. Then the GRT bus that I was waiting for at the bus terminal was 15 minutes late.
Posted by: Gary | July 13, 2012 at 10:24 PM
This has nothing to do with vintage bikes, but a group will be riding in classic, European style and having a picnic at the next Open Streets event in Waterloo. If there is enough interest, we hope to make this a regular bike ride, either on or off the road!
https://www.facebook.com/events/352801188134196/
Posted by: JDellow | July 14, 2012 at 07:48 PM
As someone who's spent a lot of time, sweat and money bringing beautiful bikes back to life, I gotta tell you Rob - you have every right to disagree with Bill, but your argument is silly.
Posted by: Frank Brown | July 14, 2012 at 09:36 PM
Cruising on King is a yearly event that draws many people and a lot of vintage and classic vehicles.One has no idea the amount of money there owners have invested in them.These so called fume-belching metal dinosaurs generate thousands of dollars for local charaties and an entry fee is paid by there owners for each event from $5.to $20.They also provide much needed jobs in many areas of the auto industry,genarate a ton of money spent by the ownwers buiding and bringing them back to life. And lets not forget about the 13% tax on all this money spent. Food for thought.
Posted by: Stewart Hayward | July 15, 2012 at 08:09 AM
@Rob... keep in mind there are also vintage bicycles which have also stood the test of time where plenty of sweat and money has been spent bringing them back to life. Myself and others (who also appreciate old cars) would spend time looking at old Sunshines, CCMs, Bianchis or old Raleighs.
Posted by: Rob (Mk.II) | July 15, 2012 at 05:35 PM
Nobody is comparing bicycles to classic cars. I just think it might be better planning to not have an event like this at a time when "air" might be a priority to the downtown rather than car exhaust? Maybe in the fall when we are not as succeptable to smog days and could process the dated emission technology these cars have.Although it is just air and not a classic car.
Posted by: Biker | July 15, 2012 at 09:27 PM
I am both a cyclist and an old car owner. What does that make me?
My old car will have less mileage on it this summer then my bike will. It is still fun to drive and show. It supports both the economy and history.
Time to change the lame argument against old car events.
Posted by: Cindy | July 17, 2012 at 01:35 PM