Vancouver is cool, for many reasons.
One of them is the way the city celebrates movement. Whichever way we look, we see people walking, rollerblading, skateboarding, swimming, playing volleyball, doing handstands…
Most of all, Vancouver loves its cyclists. They have been given wide, safe paths. Over and over, cyclists are invited in where other vehicles are told to keep out. Cycling in Vancouver feels good, deliciously good, not in the least because you (or your bike) feel so welcome.
The area we are staying in is called Kitsilano. It used to be a hippy hang-out; now it’s become urban professional territory that oozes a relaxed air. It is bordered by a seemingly endless waterfront dotted with small parks and beaches. Cycling along the sea, as we do pretty much every day, we fantasize about living here. In our imagination, it’s always summer.
Kitsilano has the longest open-air swimming pool we’ve ever seen: 140m, 25 degrees, salt water.
Vancouver aims to be the greenest city in the world by 2020.