Advocacy & Safety - What is cycling advocacy?

What if Rosa Parks just wore a T-shirt about the bus?

Limited choices, where's all of the above, none of the above?

You can check as many as you like, grayloon.

(Still not sure we need yet another poll, though.)

It's all about the message and the message is on the t-shirt

Limited choices, where's all of the above, none of the above?

I mock, because I love.

After some thought the only other choice I would have added is:
Cycling advocacy is demonizing and scapegoating SUV drivers. :D

I personally think it's all of the above, except the T-shirt as I only wear plain Hanes and the ones I get free at work. Or none of the above and go ride your bike and have fun, which I just feel is assumed, but some folks need it stated or they think your being elitist. :love:

I ride responsibly and defensively. I always follow the spirit and intent of the law, even if I occasionally bend the letter of the law.

I do belong to a regional advocacy group.

I do attend civic meetings to discuss bicycle-friendly traffic engineering and other legal issues affecting our health, safety, and mobility.

Each item of the above has it's place. None are stand-alone effective.

all the above, and this also, in my sig.

I'm getting ready to start teaching a bike 101 class weekly at the bike shop for beginning riders.

Wearing a t-shirt is to advocacy as having a bumper sticker is to political activism. It's about the least you can do, and isn't likely to change anyone's mind.

On the other end of the spectrum, attending government meetings where the issues you care about will be discussed is the most effective way to bring about change and to make your councils and commissioners actually consider the issues. When you do this, be thoughtful, don't repeat yourself, and present the issues as you see them. Be firm and polite, especially when the opposition present, if any, has the floor. Stay on topic; don't try to beat the drum for every cycling issue. Try to address every point raised by the opposition if they had the floor before you. If they raise an irrelevant point X, when it's your turn to speak, "The opposition's point X is irrelevant because..." It's most effective to attend this meetings en masse; it's hard to sit up on the dais and tell a passionate, organized, and thoughtful group of constituents simply "no", especially when they're right.

...Which brings me to volunteering with local cycling advocacy group. By being a member of such a group, you can keep track of local context for cycling issues (as opposed to BF, which brings attention to many important issues, but not in a much wider context). The organization can discuss the issue and formulate a coherent position, then send a coalition of members to the government meetings. (Or at least compose a letter or email to get into the record and put in front of the board in quesion stating the groups position and reasoning.) This is not much fun (compared to "Let's ride bikes!"), and burnout for such issue-oriented groups is a problem. More volunteers means less burnout, and more volunteers means when someone inevitably succumbs to burnout, there's likely to be someone else who can step in and take up the slack.

Finally, riding lawfully is among the best things you can do in support of your activities with local government. Anti-cyclists will tell government official they should rule against cyclists on cycling issues because cyclists flout traffic laws, hinder traffic, and are a danger to themselves, motorists, and pedestrians. It's a strawman, but it's likely to come up. Riding lawfully means you can rebut those claims with sincerity.

Lincoln, where I live, uses citizen advisory groups to provide guidance to the city council and the mayor's office on specific issues. (There's such a group for bicycling issues.) If your municipality has such groups, put your name forward as being interested in joining.

I'm getting ready to start teaching a bike 101 class weekly at the bike shop for beginning riders.

I've already done that and given plenty of advice to others over the years.

I think good advocacy comes from "spreading the word" that cycling is good for everybody and that comes in all kinds of forms.

Riding every day is a good way, so is writing into the papers when some bozo unjustly complains about cyclists. I wrote so many letters to the editor pointing out how stories or letters get it wrong that the editor called me at home and asked if I wanted to write a cycling column for the summer. Now, every week or 2, I advocate for cycling on a platform where I can reach my entire city and have our cause read about and discussed.

Sitting on or with organized groups furthers a cyclists cause but just doing your best to "get the word out" advocates our cause because isn't it the "squeeky wheel" that gets the grease?

What if Rosa Parks just wore a T-shirt about the bus?

A bright T-shirt makes you visible and it tells what the issue is to the drivers out there. And, perhaps most importantly, it identifies you as part of a campaign, which will earn you far more respect. But if you die with it, you'll be a martyr for the revolution. Without it, you die like a dog. Big difference! :thumb:

Anything else is collaboration. Yes, it may get things done in the long term. But we don't have the time to do so. Thus the need for the revolution! :thumb:

PS: Remember the black struggle was also about boycott of the buses. Hey, we may as well stay away from the roads... or take them by storm! (no guns, just a banana) ;)

Hey, dummy, a bright T-shirt makes you visible and it tells what the issue is to the drivers out there.

If you think anyone is reading your t-shirt manifesto while you ride, you're mistaken. No one cares that much.

If you think anyone is reading your t-shirt manifesto while you ride, you're mistaken. No one cares that much.

But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao, You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow!

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2005/10/25/John_Lennon_wideweb__430x336,0.jpg

I say wearing a t-shirt, but not because of what's on it.

Riding in a t-shirt vs "bike gear". (http://commutant.blogspot.com/2008/01/serious-cyclist-impact.html)

Yes! All of the above... any of the above... as many of the above as you can squeeze into your schedule. At least do something that sheds a positive light on bicycling.

I think they're all cycling advocacy.

I'm getting ready to start teaching a bike 101 class weekly at the bike shop for beginning riders.
Sweet! :thumb: You'll be fantastic.


A bright T-shirt makes you visible and it tells what the issue is to the drivers out there. And, perhaps most importantly, it identifies you as part of a campaign, which will earn you far more respect. But if you die with it, you'll be a martyr for the revolution. Without it, you die like a dog. Big difference! :thumb:

Anything else is collaboration. Yes, it may get things done in the long term. But we don't have the time to do so. Thus the need for the revolution! :thumb:

PS: Remember the black struggle was also about boycott of the buses. Hey, we may as well stay away from the roads... or take them by storm! (no guns, just a banana) ;)
Huh? :wtf:



I say wearing a t-shirt, but not because of what's on it.

Riding in a t-shirt vs "bike gear". (http://commutant.blogspot.com/2008/01/serious-cyclist-impact.html)
I get even more wearing a skirt, but something tells me it wouldn't be the same for you. ;)

I'm getting ready to start teaching a bike 101 class weekly at the bike shop for beginning riders.

That.

Talking to individuals. Explaining the the pleasure and benefits of riding a bike. Being open to questions.

I've had a few car-commuting friends and co-workers say that they look out for bicyclists more these days, because they know that I'm out there, too.

But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao, You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow!



This revolution meets all the criteria that the Beatles required. No Mao, Che or Chavez. Just the right amount of revolution, starting with bikes.

You think they were real, or just were singing to the revolution with no real intention to change the world? Why should they change if they had it good? :rolleyes:

Bob Marley, though, was real...

Rather utopian, of course, but also thoroughly in keeping with the
philosophy of the Rastas, the culture which spawned Bob. They believe in
a concept called Word/Sound/Power.
That is, if you combine visionary words with seductive sounds, you get
world-transforming power. Bob and the Rastas ritually refer to this as
"Chant Down Babylon." It's a variant on the Bible story about the ritual
demolishing of Jericho's walls. But it's got a curiously post-modern
twist: Babylon is chanted down from within, because its youths get
seduced by a music voicing a more attractive alternative to hedonism and
consumerism.

http://webspawner.com/users/donquijote10

Huh? :wtf:



It only means that rather than confrontation, you are willing to share your banana (or whatever you got) with the beast. The lion can eat the banana, but not the monkey! :eek:

It only means that rather than confrontation, you are willing to share your banana (or whatever you got) with the beast. The lion can eat the banana, but not the monkey! :eek:
That's supposed to be an explanation? I'm really unclear on how wildlife and produce is supposed to be related to cycling advocacy and safety.

That's supposed to be an explanation? I'm really unclear on how wildlife and produce is supposed to be related to cycling advocacy and safety.

Yeah DQ has rather sent all of us on some wild chase down some rambling lane... Good luck trying to figure it all out.

That's supposed to be an explanation? I'm really unclear on how wildlife and produce is supposed to be related to cycling advocacy and safety.

Welcome to our pain Donna.:)

That's supposed to be an explanation? I'm really unclear on how wildlife and produce is supposed to be related to cycling advocacy and safety.


The characters of the lion and the monkey are pretty evident, sort of like David and Goliath...or Tom and Jerry, if you prefer something more casual.

In the case at hand, the lions prefer SUVs because they can show their power, while the rest of us, mundane monkeys, try to survive on our bikes.

The monkey lives on bananas and peanuts, which he's willing to sacrifice but not his own life...

RIDING A BIKE COSTS PEANUTS

OK, since the lion (for whom “peanuts” is not important) refuses to listen to the monkey asking for bike facilities,* let's scrutinize the secrets ($$$) of the political jungle, where “democracy” is the word of choice…

more...
http://webspawner.com/users/donquijote88

The reason I use the metaphors is because the common people associate with them. The banana is an important staple in monkey society... ;)

The monkey beats the lion by being more clever. :thumb:

Yeah DQ has rather sent all of us on some wild chase down some rambling lane... Good luck trying to figure it all out.

Beware of the lion! :o

And here they must be talking about the lion...

"The wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. He is in front of it" -Axel Munthe

Welcome to our pain Donna.:)

Am I your pain? Where? :rolleyes:

I thought hyenas had a sense of humor because they laughed!

DQ=bizarro HH

Am I your pain? Where? :rolleyes:

I thought hyenas had a sense of humor because they laughed!

http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/upload/2007/03/a%20lion%20vs%20hyena.jpg

DQ=bizarro HH

:D

The characters of the lion and the monkey are pretty evident, sort of like David and Goliath...or Tom and Jerry, if you prefer something more casual.

In the case at hand, the lions prefer SUVs because they can show their power, while the rest of us, mundane monkeys, try to survive on our bikes.

The monkey lives on bananas and peanuts, which he's willing to sacrifice but not his own life...

RIDING A BIKE COSTS PEANUTS

OK, since the lion (for whom “peanuts” is not important) refuses to listen to the monkey asking for bike facilities,* let's scrutinize the secrets ($$$) of the political jungle, where “democracy” is the word of choice…

more...
http://webspawner.com/users/donquijote88

The reason I use the metaphors is because the common people associate with them. The banana is an important staple in monkey society... ;)

The monkey beats the lion by being more clever. :thumb:
I'm a pretty common person and I still have no idea what you are talking about.

where do i bike to for the free bananas?

where do i bike to for the free bananas?

Macondo, Colombia.

where do i bike to for the free bananas?

Good luck with that (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/opinion/18koeppel.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=bananas&st=nyt&oref=slogin).

I'm a pretty common person and I still have no idea what you are talking about.

Well, it goes this way.

In this jungle where we live there's a king of the jungle (the lion) that runs the kingdom according to his tastes and appetites (leaving no room for the monkeys to ride bikes), but there's a monkey that had it, and challenged the Law of the Jungle (SUVs rule). He's got two choices: use violence (become another lion) and risk being eaten, or... share his banana with the hungry lion... :rolleyes:

Thus the Banana Revolution becomes the way of the nonviolent, clever monkeys figthting for survival in the jungle. Never go in the jungle without a banana! That's another T-shirt slogan... ;)

that's a muddled analogy. I still want some free bananas.

here's some bananas on a bike (ready for quickdraw in bag hanging off seat): I'M READY!!! Do I pull them out and throw them at the motorists, or eat them like an advocate for fruitarianism?

Good luck with that (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/opinion/18koeppel.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=bananas&st=nyt&oref=slogin).

We hope the revolution can rescue the banana from disease and Banana Republic. We are particularly concerned about the latter. It foments anything big and stupid like SUVs. :rolleyes:

that's a muddled analogy. I still want some free bananas.

here's some bananas on a bike: I'M READY!!!

Oh c'mon, we are all monkeys... ;)

http://www.ukuleleman.net/uploaded_images/bush_darwin%20monkey%20man-718799.jpg

http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/upload/2007/03/a%20lion%20vs%20hyena.jpg

My metaphor of the hyenas comes not from nature, but from the Lion King...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bv8dcNNiSU

They work for the lion in exchange for the scraps. It happens in real life too!
:o

that's a muddled analogy. I still want some free bananas.

here's some bananas on a bike (ready for quickdraw in bag hanging off seat): I'M READY!!! Do I pull them out and throw them at the motorists, or eat them like an advocate for fruitarianism?

No, you simply put a sign (or T-shirt) that goes, "You can eat my banana!" :love:

It could mean the finger to unfriendly people, or an act of random kindness toward the friendly people that want to share the road with you.

Hey, it's also a great conversation starter. :thumb:

that's just plain nasty.

that's just plain nasty.

It depends how you look at it. If you think love can be nasty, but then you are willing to put up with violence on the road, then you may find it offensive.

The way I look at it is a way to have fun... having a laugh about the jungle out there. :thumb:

'you can eat my banana' is about as muddled an advocacy message you could create, don.....unless you were a cavendish baron!

'you can eat my banana' is about as muddled an advocacy message you could create, don.....unless you were a cavendish baron!

Well, I only use that T-shirt when I'm out to have fun and when I feel that the jungle deserves a finger. I proposed a serious T-shirt for activism elsewhere, so it's up to you choose one. One thing to remember though: the more catchy the better. If you want to be noticed, be asked questions, the banana is the way.

What would you say on back of a T-shirt? :rolleyes:

"zero emissions vehicle"

"one more parking space"

"one less car"

still stuck in traffic?"

"gas huffers are blowing smoke"

"zero emissions vehicle"

"one more parking space"

"one less car"

still stuck in traffic?"

"gas huffers are blowing smoke"

I liked "ONE LESS CAR." That could be the slogan of the revolution.

I'll set it up at Zazzle with no commision.

How 'bout the front, "VELORUTION"? :rolleyes:

saw a wahine with a 'one less car' jersey this weekend....

My metaphor of the hyenas comes not from nature, but from the Lion King...


This helps explain the level of your dialogue.

Oh c'mon, we are all monkeys... ;)

http://www.ukuleleman.net/uploaded_images/bush_darwin%20monkey%20man-718799.jpg

Apes.