happy holidays from modo!

modo now covers bridge tolls!

As of December 1, tolls are now included in our regular pricing for trips over both the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges. Enjoy!

pro tip: set and release the emergency brake on a prius

Instuctions for Toyota Prius, Prius V, Camry, Sienna, and some RAV4s:

The "Double Action" emergency brake is typically located to the left of the brake pedal. To set, press the pedal part of the way down; to release, press the pedal all the way down and it should pop up.

Note: The ( ! ) light at Dash Information Display should go out once the emergency brake is fully released.

what's up with richmond?

Many members have, rightly, wondered what the hold up is on Modo's expansion into Richmond. The City of Richmond approved and is now making adjustments to a new parking bylaw to allow carshare vehicles to park in specific spots near public transit hubs. Modo fleet director Doug Dunn reports that the Richmond vehicle will soon be placed near either Cook and Buswell, or Park and Buswell. Look for our announcement in the coming months.

driving tips for snowy and poor conditions

As we discovered this past month, Vancouver does occasionally get snow - and not many of us have a lot of practice manoeuvring in it. If staying home is not an option, here are some tips to make your drive safer:

• Posted speed limits are designed for ideal road conditions. Slow down when driving on snow, ice, slush or rain.

• Allow yourself at least twice the normal braking distance on wet or slippery roads.

• Avoid driving through flooded or washed out roads.

• Use extreme caution when approaching highway maintenance equipment including plows, salt and sand trucks. Never pass on the right.

• Low beams are more effective in fog or heavy snow.

• Check tire pressure regularly. Pressure drops in colder conditions.

• Keep the wiper fluid topped up for clearer visibility.

• Keep your gas tank full to prevent gasoline from freezing in extreme temperatures.

• Check roads and weather before your trip at www.drivebc.com or 1-800-550-4997

What if my Modo vehicle gets stuck in the snow?

Clear away the snow from around the tires to allow the wheels to roll more freely. If you've something to help increase traction (such as traction mats, old carpets, salt, sand or kitty litter), put it right in front of the drive wheels.

Gently rock the vehicle back and forth by shifting from forward to reverse, gradually increasing the distance you've moved with each rocking motion. Refer to the owner's manual for more information.

How can I regain control if the vehicle skids due to black ice?

Skids can happen any time your tires lose grip on the road. If you drive over black ice and your vehicle starts to skid, ease off the accelerator, and look and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go. Don't brake, as this will make the situation worse. You may need to repeat this manoeuvre several times until you regain control.

modo board of directors: nominations due jan 3

Is 2013 the year you step up your membership with Modo?

Board elections will be held at our Annual General Meeting, January 24, 2013. We'll be electing two (out of eight) new directors for a three-year term of office. All co-op members are eligible to run.  

Learn more about what is required of a Modo director and find nominations materials on our website. The deadline to apply is January 3.

Shareholding members can look for a message in your inbox on January 10 announcing how to access bios and info about this year's board nominees!

Annual General Meeting and after-party details

Our AGM is coming up soon! All are welcome, though only co-op members may vote.

Come meet Modo's sitting directors Alan Woodland (Chair), Joel DeYoung, David Lach, Beth Breisnes, Ned Georgy, Maureen Collier and Yasuhiko Ogushi as well as those running for a seat on the board. 

Where: Segal Building, 500 Granville St

When: 7-9:15 pm, January 24, 2013

Afterwards, walk across the street to our offices, where we'll be hosting a casual post-AGM get-together, with food, beverages, music and opportunities to get to know fellow Modo members better! 

sharing space: modo community room

Sharing is addictive. First, you share the road, and pretty soon you’re sharing... everything! 

To book the Modo Community Room, email or call our office manager Annika at annika@modo.coop / 604-685-1393, ext 212.

pro tip: check out that rear end

When you are doing your walkaround before you fob into your Modo vehicle, please ensure you also check the rear/hatch/trunk when doing your inspection. We find that this is sometimes forgotten and should be included as part of your visual inspection.

Inspect for (and report) any scratches and dents that haven't been stickered, as well as, of course, a missing license plate or license plate decals.  

Happy sharing!

contests, updates and must-reads

In case you aren't already hooked into Modo's social media channels, be sure to Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and Tumblr, and subscribe to our Youtube channel for impromptu contests, ticket giveaways, updates on our fleet and a choice aggregation of news from around the web regarding carsharing, co-ops, transportation and local goings on.

community calendar

December 31: W2 LIGHTS NYE 2013

W2 Lights NYE is a grassroots institution, selling out in advance each year. Ring in 2013 with #W2Belongs2Me friends at one of Vancouver's best annual NYE celebrations featuring some of the West Coast's most innovative live electronic artists, media arts and a progressive community vibe. This year, expect female chanteuses, digital Indigenous, cumbia, and future bass music. Proceeds go to W2, a community media arts centre serving artists and residents of the DTES and Vancouver. Details

December 31: Lucky 13 - NYE 2013 Party 

$13 gets you into this New Year's Eve party at the Legion, with the didj thumping beats of SHINE, the fun frivolities of the Carnival Band, DJ Plan, DJ Oker, Calamity Jane, the Jingle Dangle dancers and the bicycle wheel of fantastic great luck - plus, a chocolate fountain. Details

December 31: SUPER HAPPY NYE 2013

Artist work space The Beaumont Studios puts on its annual New Year's Eve party with a live performance from Vancouver's LOVE & ELECTRIK and all-nite dancing with the SUPER HAPPY DANCE DEEJAYS: EVO, HUBBZ, SOO, SPILT MILK and WOOD. Details

January 1: 93rd annual Polar Bear Swim - FREE

Meet at the English Bay Bathhouse at 2:30 pm to join the throngs of fellow swimmers for this annual New Year's Day dip in the ocean. Costumes encouraged. Details

January 4: CreativeMornings/Vancouver - FREE 

Every month, the city's creative community bonds over free eats and free inspiration - with a different speaker sharing their story of using creativity in their work and life. The January speaker is famed origami artist Joseph Wu. The lottery for 150 tickets opens at 11am on Monday, December 31. Don't miss this inspiring talk on creativity over bottomless cups of Salt Spring Coffee and W2 Media Cafe's incredible breakfast spread of homemade frittata, pastries, granola and more! Details

January 8: Village Vancouver & Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Potluck and Workshop

Bring something yummy for the potluck (6-7 pm), then stick around for one of the workshops (7-8 pm): 

• Main St. Community Mapping: Help make a community “transition” map of Main St, using a physical map and eventually posting it to the internet.
•  
• Canning & Seed Exchange: Bring something you've canned, seeds you've saved or food you've grown, and exchange it with others!
   
• Tuke and/or Scarf Swap: It's cold and it's Canada; bring a tuke and/or scarf to swap.

Details

January 15-February 3: PuSh International Performing Arts Festival

Modo is a proud sponsor of Vancouver's 9th annual mid-winter performing arts festival, which presents acclaimed local, national and international artists at venues in and around Vancouver and offers work from Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Japan, Scotland, Taiwan and the United States. Details

** Look for upcoming special ticket giveaways for Modo members through our Facebook and Twitter!

January 16: BIG MOUTH: A Speaker Series about Art and Education - FREE

UBC's Department of Art History, Visual Art & Theory (AHVA) and the UBC Art History Students' Association (AHSA) present an evening dedicated to redefining the relationship between the arts and education. Seven speakers from various creative industries will give seven short speeches, sharing their life experiences, perspectives and passions with a crowd of UBC students. Details

January 24: Modo's Annual General Meeting and after-party

Deepen your Modo membership by participating in our AGM, where we'll review the past year for the car co-op and elect two new directors to our board. Afterward, all are invited for our after-party, with food, drinks, music and hi5s!

January 24: Matt Hern: In Defense of an Urban Future 

Purple Thistle Centre and Car-Free Vancouver Day founder Matt Hern believes an ecological future has to be an urban future, but that vision requires we reimagine cities as compact, accretive, self-determining places full of commonality and vibrancy. This rendition of density requires a politics that commits to participatory difference, equity, hospitality and friendship. Presented by SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement, Matt Hern will explore Vancouver's existing seedbeds for a transformative, ecological urbanism. Details

modo moves

Vancouver - Dunbar

NEW LOCATION: Wallace & W 18th

Find vehicle #404, a 2012 yellow Fiat 500, in its new home.

UPDATE: Collingwood & W 16th

We have abandoned our old location at Collingwood & W 16th.

Vancouver - Kitsilano

UPGRADE: Stephens & W 3rd

The 2005 Toyota Echo has been upgraded to a new 2012 green Mazda 2 hatchback (vehicle #421).

Vancouver - Fairview

UPGRADE: W 20th & Oak

The 2007 Hyundai Sonata has been upgraded to a 2013 silver Nissan Sentra (vehicle #420).

Vancouver - Mount Pleasant

FLOATER: Main Street SkyTrain

Our new 2013 silver Toyota Prius Plug-In (vehicle #419) will be living here temporarily until the charging infrastructure is ready in its anticipated permanent home in the City Hall Surface Lot. 

FLOATER: Main Street SkyTrain

Vehicle #413, a 2012 orange Toyota Prius C, is currently floating at Main Street SkyTrain. (Once its stall is ready, this car will be moving to a new location in New Westminster!)

Vancouver - Grandview-Woodland

NEW LOCATION: Sitka Co-op

Find the Sitka Co-op vehicle (#424), a 2010 red Nissan Cube, on Woodland between Graveley and Grant.

UPGRADE: Grandview Elementary

The 2005 Toyota Echo has been upgraded to a new 2012 green Mazda 2 hatchback (vehicle #422). 

Burnaby 

UPGRADE: SFU Cornerstone

The 2007 Hyundai Sonata has been upgraded to a 2012 grey Toyota Matrix (vehicle #423).

North Vancouver 

UPGRADE: NV Safeway

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan has been upgraded to a 2010 red Dodge Grand Caravan (vehicle #320).