Re: critical mass bike ride (fwd)

[Debbie Gray <dgray@uidaho.edu>]

It seems one could use the words stupid and destructive in regards to
bicycle traffic as well.

As in STUPID biker that dashed in front of me and weaved between the lanes
wrecklessly, ran a stoplight and then flipped off the motorists? As in
STUPID speeding biker that almost wiped me out while I was walking down
the sidewalk on campus while a lumbering 8 months pregnant? (as well as
many other times, but that one really made ME mad as hell)

As in DESTRUCTIVE biker that destroys mountain habitat while creating new
paths and trails for 'exciting' mud adventures on Moscow Mountain? 

However, I know name calling is never a solution to any problem...

I support bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, equestrians, etc. but all
must be SAFE and SENSIBLE with their chosen modes and being a bicylist or
pedestrian does not instantly endow one with brilliance, wisdom or
enviro-sensibility.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 
     Debbie Gray      dgray@uidaho.edu       University of Idaho Library
     If the world were to end tomorrow, I would still plant a tree today.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 01 Nov 1998 20:45:57 -0700
From: david peckham <peckham@mailcity.com>
To: Scott Dredge <Scott_Dredge@baynetworks.com>
Cc: vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: Re: critical mass bike ride
Resent-Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 20:49:27 -0800 (PST)
Resent-From: vision2020@moscow.com

 Yes, I beleive there is some similar connection.  I cannot speak to the
claim of lawless disrespect.  I have never been in a critical mass, (I was
unable to attend Friday's and I don't believe there were enough cyclcists
to reach CM) but my understanding is that the mass cannot split to stop
for traffic lights that change while the mass is passing, because that
would break the mass.

 I think the defiant statement is not so much that YOU should be pedalling
instead of driving, but that pedaling is a worthy mode deserving of
respect and accomodation.  You know the environmental and economic
reasons.  It makes no logical sense that bicycling should be so
marginalized, and frankly we're mad as hell.  Motorists need to be
reminded how stupid and destructive their habit can sometimes be.


dave Peckham 
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