September 30/97 0:57 am - Cheakamus, Anti-Dumping, Editorial

Posted by Editor on 09/30/97
 

Cheakamus Challenge Results (thanks to Brad Pruner)  1. Roland Green 2. Dave Wiens 3. Geoff Kabush 4. Andreas Hestler 5. Ruedi Schnyder   Anti-Dumping Hearings  You may remember from 5 years ago when anti-dumping tariffs were placed on bicycles imported from Taiwan and mainland China, to protect the Canadian manufacturers. At the time, the government did something no other country had ever done - recognized the difference between mass market bikes and Œspeciality‚ (read: enthusiast) bikes by placing a cap on the value of bikes subject to dumping duties. This meant that the more expensive models (sold through bike specialists to the enthusiast market) were recognized as something different from the „Canadian Tire‰ level, and were not subject to tariffs, even though they came from Taiwan.  Well, 5 years have almost passed, and the Canadian manufacturers are applying for further tariffs, in fact, they are asking the CITT (the government body that makes the decision) to raise the limit, saying that they are moving into the speciality market, and are being unfairly hurt here too. The CITT has been investigating, and it initially looked like there would be no hearings on the matter - a ruling would just be issued (the general consenus was that the current level of tariff would be extended). Now we have just heard that there will be hearings, meaning that the CITT has found at least some merit to the arguments of Canadian manufacturers (primarily Procycle (Oryx, Peugeot, Mikado, Velosport, CCM), Raleigh Canada and Victoria Precision (Minelli, Precision)). Hearings are scheduled to take place within the next few weeks, with a decision by December (when the old ruling expires). The decision could potentially affect the price you pay for your new bike, so stay tuned for details as they become available.   An Editorial  Earlier this evening, while driving to the College where I teach an evening class, I was spat at by a cyclist. As a driver, this action filled me with rage. As a cyclist, it filled me with despair.  I was making a left hand turn at a light, it was dusk, and a cyclist dressed in black decided to try and sprint through a changing light just as I was making my turn. He was forced to swerve maybe 30 cm to avoid me.  Now the argument could be made that I should have seen him, but as a cyclist I am more aware of other riders than most, so if I missed noticing him, how could a Œregular‚ driver have seen him? Regardless, think of how this rider‚s action impacts on cyclists in general.  This careless, violent action on the part of a faceless rider can do more to harm our ability as cyclists to gain support from the community than almost any other activity I can think of. Unfortunately, it seems to be an all to common reaction from people these days - make some sort of nasty, shocking response to something that annoys you.  We deplore that when we read about it in the papers, but think: have you flipped a finger at a motorist, snarled at some other trail user, or looked down your nose at a Œrecreational‚ cyclist lately?  In this increasingly polarized world in which we live, we as cyclists can NOT afford to antagonize potential allies. If we want to keep trails open, use roads for events, access funding for activities, and avoid being marginalized, we need to THINK before we make such senseless gestures. I was deeply offended by that rider‚s action, and somewhat embarassed to think that he was part of my community.   So, next time you have the urge to make some sort of facile gesture at a person who has annoyed you, think of the potential damage you could be doing to your community.