Levers, in many instances, are better than doorknobs. They are easier to grasp for those whose grip has been weakened by age or ailment. And when you鈥檙e loaded down with parcels, you can bump a lever with your elbow or your butt to open a door, rather than groping for a slippery doorknob.
But that鈥檚 not reason enough to outlaw doorknobs, which Vancouver, the city that initiated cigarette-butt recycling, is doing. Levers, rather than knobs, are mandated for doors on all new construction, including private homes.
The move is part of Vancouver鈥檚 Age-Friendly Action Plan, which aims to make our neighbour across the water 鈥渁 more safe, inclusive and engaging city for all seniors.鈥�
We have nothing against door levers, although they lack the poetic ring of 鈥渄oorknobs.鈥� Round and slippery entrance-access mechanisms have become increasingly scarce in public buildings.
But levers, too, have their drawbacks. They snag clothes in passing, and can be easily manipulated by small children, pets and bears (residents of the Highlands and Sooke take note). When complaints and lawsuits come pouring in from door-lever victims, will Vancouver then mandate that all doors be required to respond to the 鈥淥pen sesame!鈥� command?
It is not known how severe the penalties will be for non-compliance (鈥淧ut your hands on your head and step away from that doorknob!鈥�) but an underground doorknob economy will surely follow as traditionalists, anarchists and home-decor mavericks flout the law.
This measure bears sober second thought. If they outlaw doorknobs, only outlaws will have doorknobs.
