I went for a ride this afternoon in Stanley Park this afternoon to check out the separated lane now cars are back and boy oh boy did I meet a kindred spirit! +

On my 2nd lap I approached a line of 6 or 7 cars moving very slowly, horns blaring. Up ahead was a guy in a wheelchair moving at about 5kms/hr. Right in the middle of the lane. I rode up to wheelchair guy, asked if he was OK.

He said he was angry about the cars. He was protesting. Protesting! I moved back to the lead car and told them wheelchair guy was protesting cars and to be patient.

Driver rolled his eyes and said they’d been sitting behind wheelchair guy for 20 mins. I was a bit worried about wheelchair guy’s safety, so I rode next to him and had a chat. He lives in the West End and he’s been coming to Stanley Park in his chair about twice a week.

Anyway, funnily enough, after I listened to his story and promised him I’d tell the Park Board he got less angry and eventually moved over into the bike-only lane with me and the drivers cleared off. At the start of the hill I said I hope your wheelchair’s fully charged mate.

I said I’d seen a couple of guys in recumbent hand-cycles earlier and he said he really wants one of them but they’re expensive. He said something about how one of the bike shops used to have one to borrow...

Shame he didn’t do his protest yesterday when Tri$ia B@rker was showboating around the park doing media interviews & seeing nothing but “lost parking spots”. He gave me his details & I’m going to make damn sure he gets consulted next time.