traffic
Vancouver's commute went smoothly, according to TransLink. At around 7:30 AM, CBC Radio had a journalist at Broadway Station breathlessly reporting on the lineups, and another recommended going to the back of the SkyTrain, which is apparently less crowded. (Really?) CBC TV last night didn't make any mention of biking as an alternative to driving or transit. If the media won't pat me on the back for biking in the rain this morning to avoid the crush, then I will.
John Seabrook points out why I ride public transit: for about a thousand dollars a year, I get to and from destinations without having to worry what traffic is going to be like because a) I'm not the one driving and b) if the traffic's bad, at least I have a book to read. Of course, I'm at the mercy of the transit schedule, and a fickle beast it can sometimes be. But for the price I pay—in terms of time and smelliness of other passengers—I get to where I need to be cheaply—in money terms—while finishing off a chapter.
