Whackadoodle columnist calls for assaulting cyclists
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I didn't get too far past the vendors pedaling rickshaws and holding up traffic. Yeah, that's a thing bicyclists advocate.
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I know where that Metro Station is, and who the columnist is. Since I live in the region. I originally thought that it would be Tony Kornheiser mouthing off again. But in print.
Courtland Milloy is 100% wrong about cyclists' specifically, and only, delaying traffic. But I do agree with him on the escalator idea. Each Metro Station, has both an escalator, and above-ground elevator.
The WMATA(Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) forbids cyclists' bringing their bike on the train, during both AM(5-9:30) and 2:00-8:00)PM rush hour. So, Why waste the money on a bike-only escalator. That would be frivolous spending on the part of the WMATA. Which is federally funded.
Courtland Milloy is 100% wrong about cyclists' specifically, and only, delaying traffic. But I do agree with him on the escalator idea. Each Metro Station, has both an escalator, and above-ground elevator.
The WMATA(Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) forbids cyclists' bringing their bike on the train, during both AM(5-9:30) and 2:00-8:00)PM rush hour. So, Why waste the money on a bike-only escalator. That would be frivolous spending on the part of the WMATA. Which is federally funded.
Last edited by Chris516; 07-08-14 at 09:51 PM.
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I know where that Metro Station is, and who the columnist is. Since I live in the region. I originally thought that it would be Tony Kornheiser mouthing off again. But in print.
Courtland Milloy is 100% wrong about cyclists' specifically, and only, delaying traffic. But I do agree with him on the escalator idea. Each Metro Station, has both an escalator, and above-ground elevator.
The WMATA(Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) forbids cyclists' bringing their bike on the train, during both AM(5-9:30) and 2:00-8:00)PM rush hour. So, Why waste the money on a bike-only escalator. That would be frivolous spending on the part of the WMATA. Which is federally funded.
Courtland Milloy is 100% wrong about cyclists' specifically, and only, delaying traffic. But I do agree with him on the escalator idea. Each Metro Station, has both an escalator, and above-ground elevator.
The WMATA(Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) forbids cyclists' bringing their bike on the train, during both AM(5-9:30) and 2:00-8:00)PM rush hour. So, Why waste the money on a bike-only escalator. That would be frivolous spending on the part of the WMATA. Which is federally funded.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tINMqAg3nTc
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I don't know what article you read, but the one I got upon clicking on the link in the OP made no mention of any escalator in a WMATA station, nor about cyclists bringing their bikes on the trains. The only mention of an escalator concerned a proposal for an on-street one that would allow cyclists to climb a hill by placing one foot on a motor-driven pedal that would push them up the hill while staying on their bike. Such an installation exists in Trondheim, Norway and I've heard is quite successful. See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tINMqAg3nTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tINMqAg3nTc
Look at the third paragraph.
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Check the OP's post that has the link Bicyclist bullies try to rule the road in D.C. - The Washington Post
Look at the third paragraph.
Look at the third paragraph.
"DC will soon extend the 15th Street cycletrack north, but riders will have to puff up a very steep hill,” David Alpert, founder of Greater Greater Washington, posted on his Web site July 3. “Could that become easier with a piece of technology from Trondheim, Norway?” With a bike escalator, called a Trampe, “a cyclist just places a foot on the platform and lets it push him or her up the hill,” Alpert wrote."
The system in Trondheim has been in operation since 1993 and last year an updated version was installed. Although the hill in that town isn't particularly long it is quite steep (I think about 20%) and is a significant deterrent for people who want to bicycle around town for utilitarian reasons. Having the on-street cable system to let them get up the hill makes cycling around town more attractive to many people who might otherwise be deterred by the steep climb.
No idea if something similar in the location mentioned in DC would be either feasible or useful, but it has nothing to do with rush hour policies at WMATA.
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so he managed to get 5000 words out of one guy's wild idea on a blog. Very nice
#9
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Well, yeah...
When did cyclists become bikers?
I thought bikers were those who rode motorcycles.
(I don't think this change in nomenclature is accidental, btw).
When did cyclists become bikers?
I thought bikers were those who rode motorcycles.
(I don't think this change in nomenclature is accidental, btw).
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I don't know what article you read, but the one I got upon clicking on the link in the OP made no mention of any escalator in a WMATA station, nor about cyclists bringing their bikes on the trains. The only mention of an escalator concerned a proposal for an on-street one that would allow cyclists to climb a hill by placing one foot on a motor-driven pedal that would push them up the hill while staying on their bike. Such an installation exists in Trondheim, Norway and I've heard is quite successful. See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tINMqAg3nTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tINMqAg3nTc
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This guy was a decent writer. After the King St debacle in Alexandria, you'd think a body would bring some numbers or real info to the table, not kneejerk soft racism and then advocate for violent confrontations.
Also, metro bike hours are 7-10am and 4-7pm. Rush hour in metro is NOT six hours long.......
Metro - Getting Around - Bikes and Metro - Guidelines
Also, metro bike hours are 7-10am and 4-7pm. Rush hour in metro is NOT six hours long.......
Metro - Getting Around - Bikes and Metro - Guidelines
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Oh, I like climbing 15th. That thing's a beast. Yes, I'm fat.
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An escalator device for cyclists? A bit over the top (pun intended). Why waste money on something like that?
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This seems to come up every few months, some columnist goes off the deep end with a ill-informed egocentric rant about bicyclists. They take it perhaps a step too far, playing to the nastier emotions to stir up the lowest common denominator.
It brings up a bigger question. That kind of article is easy, there's always someone to write it so the columnist is not the real problem. The bigger question is why does playing to the gallery work with this subject, and what is there to do about it?
It brings up a bigger question. That kind of article is easy, there's always someone to write it so the columnist is not the real problem. The bigger question is why does playing to the gallery work with this subject, and what is there to do about it?
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It would help a lot for advocacy groups to send a clear message to the public that most cyclists are not the anti establishment, self-righteous, malcontents that give folks legitimate reasons to hate cyclists.
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WABA has a responded to Milloy's column:
Setting the Record Straight re: Milloy?s ?Bullies? | Washington Area Bicyclist Association
Not surprising that he didn't get his facts straight. Also note;he lives over the line in MD.
Another WaPo writer has also posted a rebuttal piece:
It?s time to tone down the tirades against bicyclists - The Washington Post
Setting the Record Straight re: Milloy?s ?Bullies? | Washington Area Bicyclist Association
Not surprising that he didn't get his facts straight. Also note;he lives over the line in MD.
Another WaPo writer has also posted a rebuttal piece:
It?s time to tone down the tirades against bicyclists - The Washington Post
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Bike Snob took him to task too.
Bike Snob NYC: Bully For Us! Ruining America One Bike Lane at a Time
Bike Snob NYC: Bully For Us! Ruining America One Bike Lane at a Time
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Escalator for bikes?
What kind of candy a$$ bike rider would suggest that?
If someone is too feeble to just push his/her bike uphill(assuming too little gearing)-
they probably are too feeble to be safely riding a bike(in traffic).
The rest of it is fairly typical-it is how many drivers/pedestrians view us.
Some of it is deserved-most isn't.
What kind of candy a$$ bike rider would suggest that?
If someone is too feeble to just push his/her bike uphill(assuming too little gearing)-
they probably are too feeble to be safely riding a bike(in traffic).
The rest of it is fairly typical-it is how many drivers/pedestrians view us.
Some of it is deserved-most isn't.
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Escalator for bikes?
What kind of candy a$$ bike rider would suggest that?
If someone is too feeble to just push his/her bike uphill(assuming too little gearing)-
they probably are too feeble to be safely riding a bike(in traffic).
The rest of it is fairly typical-it is how many drivers/pedestrians view us.
Some of it is deserved-most isn't.
What kind of candy a$$ bike rider would suggest that?
If someone is too feeble to just push his/her bike uphill(assuming too little gearing)-
they probably are too feeble to be safely riding a bike(in traffic).
The rest of it is fairly typical-it is how many drivers/pedestrians view us.
Some of it is deserved-most isn't.
None of it is deserved, unless you mean that vehicle operators, in general, are dicks. Then, I'd agree....
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Recommend then that "the public" be forbidden to read the A&S or LCF lists. "The public" might just get that negative impression confirmed by the number of posters who do give off that vibe.