The mom 'nets have been sizzling over the discussion sparked by the recent story on Today's Parent titled Should Parents With Strollers Be Allowed On Public Transit?
Discussions have flared up on Twitter, Facebook and numerous mom blogs. I have mostly stayed out of it as my kids are (thank GOD) well past the stroller stage. However, my childhood was spent in the UK with family that did nothing BUT take strollers on buses and therefore I think there is a lot more to the story than is being discussed.
I have never been on a Toronto bus, but I do ride the Vancouver transit system as little as possible because frankly, it sucks. I too don't think it is family or child-friendly and as someone who grew up carless, feel for those who have no choice.
However, it IS about choice, since Vancouver is supposedly all about being a greener city and being green and taking transit should be for everyone, families included and that means not only making buses more family friendly but our culture too.
Not only are buses not designed for strollers (especially folded up), our culture is not designed for it either. People on buses and the Skytrain are not very friendly. They don't appreciate ANYONE who is not fully compact with those annoying backpacks and totally tuned out on their iPods. Anyone with wheelchairs, bikes, packages or babies are considered an infringement on their right to travel without acknowledging those around them.
I grew up in Scotland where the buses seemed to be dominated by seniors and families. I recall being offered a "wee sweetie" by little old ladies and I also recall my cousin and mother of four being offered HELP getting her kids and stroller on the bus. Let's also remember the strollers were smaller and the buses there had a storage spot at the front.
People helped moms. I don't see that too often here and now. Vancouver is not a "helping" city. We are a tad narcissistic and a tad selfish and so when a mom shows up fully loaded (what is WITH all that stuff you are bringing!) on a bus, all we think about is how late that person is going to make us and that their babies better not even look at me.
Family-friendly transit means not only making buses run more frequently and be designed better, but it also means creating cities that don't equate families with minivans and the idea that if you are on a bus you are too poor for a minivan and the "why did you have kids then" mentality.
It also means stroller companies designing transit-friendly strollers and teaching moms that you CAN travel light with kids. Don't LOAD up your stroller with so much stuff that you can't fold it up. The age of self-entitlement is not making things very friendly — eco, or otherwise.
Everyone can and should be taking the bus. It should not be an onerous undertaking for anyone.
Follow Kerry Sauriol on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CrunchyCarpets
Women had it far tougher 30 years ago, as they had to pack around their USED diapers (yep, I'm a "before pampers and disposable diapers" baby) and they did it OK, without all the "extras" mothers seem to feel they have to carry around with them today.
If anything, technology's made things SMALLER for people.. easier to carry and so on, and then you have those people who I believe are so self-absorbed (and rude) that feel people should "make way" for them and the kitchen sink they pack.
It's called a "backpack" for your stuff, and the stroller should be of a more compact size. How about consideration of others too, making it about poor you is shameful when I've seen what my mom had to go through.. without complaining. This self-entitlement attitude from people today is sickening.
Maybe transit could market more "acceptable types" of strollers for mother's who will be using the service? Or make a rule that only "acceptable, folding strollers" are brought on board.
I know it doesn't work for everyone.. but what does?
When crowded subway seats are all taken, it makes sense to let your toddler remain seated, not only for their comfort, but for safety too, since mom's other arm my be needed to hold onto a poll to remain upright. You can't hold onto your child, your stuff, and hold onto a poll on a lurching bus or train, so keeping them buckled in their seat is often prudent.
Also, although technically not mere "strollers", most of the baby conveniences that take up the most room and draw the most ire of other passengers are the larger style "Prams" or car-seat/stroller hybrids meant for much younger babies. Many have the pop out style infant seat, so even when folded the large car seat part can't be held in the lap. So really baby takes up just as much room of floorspace and another seat. Plus any fool knows you do not disturb or pick up a sleeping baby. I much rather a mom take up more room than try to pick up the kid and start if off crying.
Since her kids are grown and she's nearing retirement KS should just get out of Canada.
Retire back to the U.K, leave the country to Canadians that love Canada , warts and all.
"4. Can I take my wheelchair or stroller on Vancouver Public Transportation?
The simple answer is "Yes!" All Vancouver public buses, community shuttle minibuses, Canada Line/SkyTrain rapid transit, SeaBus and West Coast Express vehicles are all fully accessible; each bus can accommodate two wheelchairs."
http://vancouver.about.com/od/gettingaround/tp/Vancouver-Public-Transportation.htm