FROM THE EDITOR

The photo is not a fake, says Simon Wilson in Design for Living. It’s wildly nostalgic — look at those cars! Auckland Harbour Bridge, 1974. There’s a lane with cyclists and pedestrians mooching along in the rain. There’s a compelling story on what happened that day. The sky did not fall.

This photo takes me back to a story. The story is not a fake, though it’s like something out of 70s mythology.

It’s 1977 and my sister is 17. My sister and a friend are heading to a party on the North Shore from the city in a brown Mini. It’s a $200 heap but they are all dressed up. The car breaks down, they pull over, and her friend, who is driving, figures out the only gear that works is reverse. So, they drive, in reverse, up to the toll gates, pay the toll and continue on in reverse till they are eventually stopped by a stern-faced harbour bridge authority admonishing them and warning them of the consequences should they ever do such a thing again. What were they thinking? My sister and her friend explain their situation, assure him they will never again do such a thing, and continue on to the exit in reverse and on to the party.

My sister and her friend would have paid about 59c a litre for petrol back then — about $1.76 today. This week, I put $30 of petrol in my car. I cycle to work so I don’t use my car that often. I Uber if I’m going out. But $30 used to get me close to half a tank. Now, not even close. Just shy of a quarter. I watch the dial drop as I dash to the shop or take the kids on driving lessons (no reversing over the bridge, kids, that’s not in the road code).

A colleague bought a Leaf this week. I am trialling an e-bike for my work commute. The times, they are electric.

I loved the photos of the bridge on page 4. They are whimsical, kind of funny, yes. Look at the guy on the pushbike.

But what I love most about this column, is it reveals stark examples of the “it can be done” thinking. Whether “it” is a sustainable housing project in a village in Chile or Africa, or a city in Europe where public transport is cheap — or free, even — and where the pedestrian or cyclist prevails, it captures the imagination and celebrates leadership and political will. There must always be discussion and debate — but not so that the net result is total inertia. Not to the point where you end up driving in reverse, back to the future.

Ma te wa