MEK
Big Ring
Posts:384
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| 10/03/2008 8:59 AM |
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| Time for a CRITICAL MASS? |
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ABens
Little Ring
Posts:59
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| 10/03/2008 9:29 AM |
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| I think it would just make drivers hate us more, but it would be fun. I don't think it will get any better, be careful out there. |
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fasterdulin
Big Ring
Posts:104
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| 10/03/2008 11:44 AM |
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In the last 18 months, there have been 4 bicycle fatalities around town and who knows how many non-fatal wrecks involving cyclists there have been. In the last 48 hours we’ve been handed two deplorable examples of just how little respect cyclists have. For a city of 600K, these are terrible statistics. For a silver level “bicycle friendly community” these are unacceptable. It's unfortunate that tragedy always seems to predicate change in Louisville, but now is definitely the time to raise our voices.
Marv is onto something - a critical mass of some kind needs to happen soon. Maybe not the SF/NYC style mayhem, but definitely a very large, very vocal collective bike ride. Frankly, we'll need the support of LMPD to get anywhere, so launching a campaign with too much anti-establishment, fuck-the-man attitude might not work in our favor (although it's exactly how many of us feel, I'm sure) BUT, a large, bi-annual, feel-good group ride with a lead-out from King Jerry isn't the answer either.
I'd like to propose a group ride this weekend - maybe Saturday at noon. We'd leave from downtown, head up Baxter to Bardstown Rd, take Taylorsville Rd to Dutchmans Lane, Dutchmans to Cannons, Cannons to Frankfort, Frankfort back to downtown. This isn't intended to disrupt traffic, nor is it a memorial ride or an angry critical mass ride - just a really large group ride through some very high visibility areas. We honor those killed or injured by sending a very clear message that things must change.
There will need to be better organization and more directed action in the very near future, but in the short-term, I think it's critical that we make our presence known. Post up if you think we can get a ride together with such short notice.
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MEK
Big Ring
Posts:384
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| 10/03/2008 11:48 AM |
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| I'm open for Sunday. Saturday I'm committed. |
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s0ckeyeus
Big Ring
Posts:171
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| 10/03/2008 12:24 PM |
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| I think a "ghost" ride in conjunction with Halloween would be pretty cool. |
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fasterdulin
Big Ring
Posts:104
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| 10/03/2008 3:10 PM |
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I started another bikeclique called Bike Rights. Until something more formal can be organized we can use it as a dedicated critical mass type forum.
Sunday mid-day might be the best time to do it. I'm going to check out the alley cat race tomorrow night and hopefully can drum up some additional ideas and participants.
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The Trail Gnome
Coaster Brake
Posts:11
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| 10/03/2008 3:16 PM |
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| What happened to the law that states, YOU MUST BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES, not part of the time, or some of the time, but ALL THE TIME. When are they going to start prosecuting these drivers. |
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BarryL
Little Ring
Posts:72
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| 10/03/2008 5:18 PM |
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Guys, I think we also need to look in the mirror at ourselves...our own groups... There has been more than one occasion that I've have seen people riding three wide through St. Matthews...completely blocking traffic...going well under the speed limit. And on any given weekend you can see this repeated time after time.
For good PR, we need to complete the circle and look inside for corrections we can make to help the cause... I agree that it's far to dangerous on the roads because drivers are either too preoccupied or just plain discourteous, or intoxicated... and we should push the city to do more...
But let's talk about policing our group, and make sure we are car friendly too. We do not own the road any more than autos do... I think we need to make the public understand that WE understand that too, and that the actions of a few do not speak for the whole.
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the weak link
Big Ring
Posts:251
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| 10/03/2008 9:49 PM |
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| Get conservative cyclists involved so there can be rational discussions and good things accomplished. For too long stupid liberal cyclists make asses of themselves, use fascist techniques, and antagonize motorists without cause. |
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scopes monkey
Big Ring
Posts:105
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| 10/03/2008 10:13 PM |
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| take the ride through big rock jazz fest this sunday. that will get you some visibility. |
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G-MAN
Big Ring
Posts:244
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Louisville, KY
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| 10/04/2008 12:09 AM |
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I'm good for SUNDAY...
What Time? |
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fasterdulin
Big Ring
Posts:104
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| 10/04/2008 8:41 AM |
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I think sometime between noon and one - a couple folks said a bit later might be better as people will be wrapping up church/team rides/ brunch with families, etc and we might stand to have a bigger turnout. I'll continue making calls and post a final time later today. Spread the word if you can.
thanks
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MEK
Big Ring
Posts:384
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| 10/04/2008 9:41 AM |
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| 50 Bikers blocking Bardstown Road should send a pretty good message. |
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the weak link
Big Ring
Posts:251
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| 10/04/2008 11:01 AM |
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| Fascist storm-troopers. Are you boys going to be wearing brown jerseys? |
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Chris Ward
Big Ring
Posts:202
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| 10/04/2008 11:33 AM |
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Posted By BarryL on 10/03/2008 5:18 PM
Guys, I think we also need to look in the mirror at ourselves...our own groups... There has been more than one occasion that I've have seen people riding three wide through St. Matthews...completely blocking traffic...going well under the speed limit. And on any given weekend you can see this repeated time after time.
For good PR, we need to complete the circle and look inside for corrections we can make to help the cause... I agree that it's far to dangerous on the roads because drivers are either too preoccupied or just plain discourteous, or intoxicated... and we should push the city to do more...
But let's talk about policing our group, and make sure we are car friendly too. We do not own the road any more than autos do... I think we need to make the public understand that WE understand that too, and that the actions of a few do not speak for the whole.
I couldn't agree more. There are some in our ranks making the problem worse and putting the rest of us in danger.
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ike
Big Ring
Posts:397
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| 10/04/2008 1:11 PM |
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Critical Mass rides are like a child stomping its foot and pouting when it's unhappy.
Half the time you don't even recognize what the kid is upset about in the first place. |
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fasterdulin
Big Ring
Posts:104
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| 10/04/2008 7:45 PM |
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Very well said - and I completely agree. The message needs to be explicitly clear.
As extreme as it sounds, I don't think this is exclusively a bicycle rights issue; this is a fundamental civil rights issue. If someone can't afford a car and can't rely on a broken public transportation system or - heaven forbid - just wants to walk or ride a bike, then they need to know that they will be protected by laws just like motorists. That said, they also need to know that they have responsibilities and must obey the laws - just like motorists. Again, it sounds extreme, but we live in an amazing society with incredible laws that are designed to protect our health, safety and welfare. I think this ride and the rides to come need to respect the laws, but also make it clear that there is a large, non-car constituency out here and we're entitled to our rights, too.
It's a big conversation and I don't have the answers, but I'm hoping by getting people from all across the spectrum together, we might start assembling some of those answers, soon. |
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the weak link
Big Ring
Posts:251
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| 10/04/2008 8:26 PM |
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| Cycling militants are ALWAYS hard lefties. I'm sick and tired of them. They all got WD-40 for brains. It's bad enough that the lefties have coopted environmental concerns so that level-headed people can't even get into the discussion. When people see cyclists I don't want them to assume they're some idiot leftist. So leave your gestapo tactics behind and try to do something constructive for a change. |
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ike
Big Ring
Posts:397
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| 10/04/2008 9:29 PM |
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Dulin: Critical Mass is not 'extreme'; it's just a 'nuisance'.
I'm in support of getting more room/respect for cyclists on the road, Critical Mass rides don't really accomplish anything for that cause because lets face it WE'RE ALREADY A NUISANCE.
Your battle is with public support, not with motorists. Riding around town and getting in a few motorists way is simple reactionary tactics.
You're also juxtaposing this ride with the alley cat race that went down Bardstown road tonight. I wonder how many complaints LMPD have received tonight so far.
The letter from Curtis and what LBC did with the Mayor after Chips Cronen are examples of positive publicity and are examples of more effective ways to achieve your advocacy goals than a silly Critical Mass ride.
Critical Mass in my opinion is just detrimental to our cause and a breeding ground for the mob. |
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molnar
Granny Gear
Posts:26
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| 10/04/2008 10:31 PM |
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a critical is a way in which to get the attention of motorist. i for one support this type of activity and i am not a "lefty" or "militant" i am all about keeping my ass safe on the city streets. i guess i am one of the only riders on here that deals with jackass motorist on a daily basis. i do what i need to do to stay safe. there are some many motorist even some of us that pay no attention to other motorist of cyclist on the road. hang up your cell phone put down your bs newspaper and pay attention. this being said the same goes for riders as well. i was riding to work last week and passed a guy on a bike on his cell. give me a f.ing brake. the bottom line is that we have no respect for one another. how many riders have to die or get seriously injured before the public takes notice. who cares if it was someone you knew or just some random rider, we all get on our bikes the same way. there is always a knee jerk reaction to most everything. i'm sorry if some of you think that a critical mass is some type of nazi tactic, but i guess you've never been grazed and wanted to kick someones ass. if you have no dog in the fight then stay on the porch.
i will take the verbal beating that ensues.
molnar |
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