Advocacy & Safety - Candidate Wants Bikes Off The Road?

I wasn't sure whether to put this topic here or under Politics and Religion...

A co-worker of mine (who happens to be a Bush fan) told me that he read some article somewhere that Presidental hopeful John Kerry would like to get bicycles off the roads. He said the reason is because of all the bicycles ridden by students of Harvard and Boston University are clogging up the streets and getting in his way. Kerry is supposedly peturbed about it.

I don't know if he really means he would like more bike paths to keep cyclists safe and away from cars or what. Of course my friend wouldn't tell me that! He wants me to vote for Bush (or Nader).

Has anyone here heard about this?

That would be really odd for Kerry to propose that considering he himself is a cyclist and an avid one at that.

http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/daily-news/article.php?id=3655

Sounds like a rumor started by Karl Rove. ;)

I wasn't sure whether to put this topic here or under Politics and Religion...

A co-worker of mine (who happens to be a Bush fan) told me that he read some article somewhere that Presidental hopeful John Kerry would like to get bicycles off the roads.
Smurfy,

I would get that co-worker to give you specific references so you can read Kerry's quotes for yourself. As has already been mentioned, Kerry is an avid cyclist. Sounds like b.s. to me.

Somebody's either putting you on or they are spreading false info they picked up in the garbage somewhere. Get the facts, set them straight.

Don't believe it this administration are experts at misinformation Kerry is very much pro bike and is an avid cyclist.

I wasn't sure whether to put this topic here or under Politics and Religion...

A co-worker of mine (who happens to be a Bush fan) told me that he read some article somewhere that Presidental hopeful John Kerry would like to get bicycles off the roads. He said the reason is because of all the bicycles ridden by students of Harvard and Boston University are clogging up the streets and getting in his way. Kerry is supposedly peturbed about it.

I don't know if he really means he would like more bike paths to keep cyclists safe and away from cars or what. Of course my friend wouldn't tell me that! He wants me to vote for Bush (or Nader).

Has anyone here heard about this?

Kerry is a very avid cyclist, having ridden centuries, etc.
As usual the Bush misinformation cowboys shovel on the horsecrap!

why would someone tell you to vote for bush or nader?

i'm votin's nader.... if i filled out that voting form right..

Sounds like scaremongering to me -- not uncommon for someone trying to push a political agenda, which is what it sounds like your friend is doing.

I wasn't sure whether to put this topic here or under Politics and Religion...

A co-worker of mine (who happens to be a Bush fan) told me that he read some article somewhere that Presidental hopeful John Kerry would like to get bicycles off the roads. He said the reason is because of all the bicycles ridden by students of Harvard and Boston University are clogging up the streets and getting in his way. Kerry is supposedly peturbed about it.

I don't know if he really means he would like more bike paths to keep cyclists safe and away from cars or what. Of course my friend wouldn't tell me that! He wants me to vote for Bush (or Nader).

Has anyone here heard about this?

Despite what others are saying below, it's entirely possible that an avid cyclist who's ridden centuries would make a proposal like this to get elected. The article needs to be examined to see exactly what the candidate was saying. It might be that he was referring to specific areas, or he could have responded to a car driver's question, and his reply was misunderstood. Also remember that this is the U.S., where we have a tendency to advocate that "victims" need to change their behavior, instead of enforcing the laws to make the people screwing up change theirs.

With the way Kerry flip-flops on every issue, it wouldn't surprise me if he would ride a century one day and demand bikes be banned from existance the next...

Before I get flamed I don't really like GWB much better though.

With the way Kerry flip-flops on every issue, it wouldn't surprise me if he would ride a century one day and demand bikes be banned from existance the next...

Before I get flamed I don't really like GWB much better though.

You like Bush enough to spew Republican propaganda. How about looking into the issues before you repeat right-wing rhetoric.

btw, a vote for Nader is a wasted vote. You can say vote for the candidate you believe in but this is a two horse race. You either vote for Kerry or Bush. Nader votes are a vote against Kerry since Bush would not get that vote anyway. By default, you voted Bush when you voted for Nader.

Hey, everybody, thanks for the response.

I'm going to get that article from my co-worker today or at least ask him where he read it. At the time he was saying all this stuff I was real busy and I simply didn't have the time to argue with him!

I think this is called having your cake and eating it to!

http://www.detnews.com/2004/insiders/0404/21/b01-129011.htm

Probably right-winged rhetoric to you left-wingers!

I am not going to argue candidate's positions..Not my point.But about CAFE..Realistic pressure. Too quick a change in CAFE standards, the auto industry is screwed because they are either unwilling or don't want to minimize SUV sales which are more profitable...
Or if they don't convert..I say they are equally screwed. Who wants a SUV when gas is $3.? So an unresponsive auto industry means less market share and fewer auto jobs no matter how you cut it.
It is a disappointment that Detroit can't predict market inenvitaility, rather than let its' greed for big cars get in the way of how we all know future market trends will surely go.
Who can buck their lobbyists pressure when it comes to what seems to be job protection in a job wrenched state. No candidate can buck that kind of pressure and be a candidate. System does not allow such foolishness.

Boston's streets are certainly not clogged with bicycles, they're clogged with cars. I'm not just spouting some lame street crowd's chants... they really are... as are most cities' streets.

You like Bush enough to spew Republican propaganda. How about looking into the issues before you repeat right-wing rhetoric.

btw, a vote for Nader is a wasted vote. You can say vote for the candidate you believe in but this is a two horse race. You either vote for Kerry or Bush. Nader votes are a vote against Kerry since Bush would not get that vote anyway. By default, you voted Bush when you voted for Nader.

Actually its not right wing rhetoric, I HAVE looked up Kerry's voting record.

As for a vote for Nader is a waste, voting your conscience is never a waste, and the freedom to do so is what makes our political system as good as it is.

Actually its not right wing rhetoric, I HAVE looked up Kerry's voting record.

As for a vote for Nader is a waste, voting your conscience is never a waste, and the freedom to do so is what makes our political system as good as it is.

Nice editorial, but I seemed to have missed the part where he said he wanted bikes off the road. Could you maybe help point it out or move it to its appropriate forum.

PS if you vote for a politician based on his or her flip flops who's your choice this time? Bush flip flops just getting out of bed in the morning

If this co-worker could actually provide a article demonstrating Kerry's stance on bicylists, then maybe we could discuss it.

With the way Kerry flip-flops on every issue, it wouldn't surprise me if he would ride a century one day and demand bikes be banned from existance the next...


Flip flopping is better than being stupid all the time.

Any vote against GWB is a vote for returning functioning synapses to the Whitehouse.

Getting pretty political here for advocacy..But then again, if the Prez. should want to get cyclists off the road- that certainly effects advocacy issues.

Nice editorial, but I seemed to have missed the part where he said he wanted bikes off the road. Could you maybe help point it out or move it to its appropriate forum.

PS if you vote for a politician based on his or her flip flops who's your choice this time? Bush flip flops just getting out of bed in the morning



i do not see 'moderator' by his name so it does not look like he will be able to move this. Bush and JFKerry must sleep together or be the same person for all the flip flop claims against each.

Smurfy, I agree with others here. I think this co-worker is putting you on. Probably because he or she is a Bush fan, this person knows you are an avid cyclist. Plus he or she may even know Kerry is a avid cyclist too.

That's definitely a lie. Kerry is a very avid cyclist.
Bush can't even ride a precision engineered multiple sensor gyroscopically stabilized super computer controlled scooter.
I wouldn't say your coworker's trying to get to you, obviously s/he knows you're a cyclist and s/he's probably misinformed but thought s/he'd share some information with you in a conversation.

Sounds like something a Clear Channel DJ would spew out.

This is clearly BS. Amazing how easily folks can get spun up about nothing. If you think about it, traffic rules are a state issue, not federal anyway.

well. i can't vote for kerry or bush... they suck.. i like nader and i'm stickin to 'im!

No one in the U.S. can force bicyclists off the road, because to do so would be to violate our fundamental right to freedom of mobility. We have to be vigilant and proactive, but we can wrap ourselves in the American flag on this issue.

Kerry is a very avid cyclist, having ridden centuries, etc.
As usual the Bush misinformation cowboys shovel on the horsecrap!

Where is it proven that Bush put out the info.. or are you shoveling horsecrap your self...

btw, a vote for Nader is a wasted vote. You can say vote for the candidate you believe in but this is a two horse race. You either vote for Kerry or Bush. Nader votes are a vote against Kerry since Bush would not get that vote anyway. By default, you voted Bush when you voted for Nader.

took the words right out of my mouth. ;)

Update on Kerry info:

I told my co-worker about what you all said on these forums and he thinks he might have been mistaken:

"Gee, I'm sorry. It might not have been Kerry that said that stuff after all, I think it actually was Ted Kennedy. Oops, my mistake!"

Well, he hates Kennedy too so it really doesn't make much difference to him, anyway.

No one in the U.S. can force bicyclists off the road, because to do so would be to violate our fundamental right to freedom of mobility. We have to be vigilant and proactive, but we can wrap ourselves in the American flag on this issue.
John..I hope you are right about can't force us off the road..Yes, to me cyclng is a First Amendment right. But I do not sit on a court.
Seems some states, like Texas maybe, put strong restrictions of bike access to roads.

John..I hope you are right about can't force us off the road..Yes, to me cyclng is a First Amendment right. But I do not sit on a court.
Seems some states, like Texas maybe, put strong restrictions of bike access to roads.


Just as driving is a privilege, so is cycling on the road. All it takes is one law to keep us off. The LAB website had an answer to a legal question that cited an Illinois court case where part of the decision stated that cycling was a "permitted" use.

John..I hope you are right about can't force us off the road..Yes, to me cyclng is a First Amendment right. But I do not sit on a court.
Seems some states, like Texas maybe, put strong restrictions of bike access to roads.

Say what?

In Texas we can legally ride bikes on the interstate (Stay on the shoulder unless you have a death wish!). I can't recall ever being restricted from riding on any road I've wanted to use.

John..I hope you are right about can't force us off the road..Yes, to me cyclng is a First Amendment right. But I do not sit on a court.
Seems some states, like Texas maybe, put strong restrictions of bike access to roads.

Nah Texas is actually pretty darn pro bike. Remember, this is Lancy pant's stomping ground.

You know, something relating to that Detroit news link strikes me--when gas mileage standards are proposed, US car manufacturers turn to their lobbyists, PR folk, and other professional liars, while Japanese car companies turn to their engineers--and meet the standards!

You know, something relating to that Detroit news link strikes me--when gas mileage standards are proposed, US car manufacturers turn to their lobbyists, PR folk, and other professional liars, while Japanese car companies turn to their engineers--and meet the standards!

hell yeah. i love my 30 mpg civic(not a ricer.. its all stock. god i hate ricers). honda kicks so much arse.

Don't believe it this administration are experts at misinformation Kerry is very much pro bike and is an avid cyclist.


Kerry does not own a Bike. His family owns it, just like the SUV he tools around in even though he wants everyone else to drive a compact car. If Kerry HASN'T said he wants bikes off the road yet, wait a few minutes...he'll say it eventually.

Poor Kerry. He has rabbit ears and a sensitive streak. A bunch of protesters showed up banging 'flippies' together as a mockery of his every-side-of-every issue mentality, and he had a hissy-fit you could measure on the Richter scale. Not the kind of guy I want to have his finger on the button.

roughstuff

Kerry does not own a Bike. His family owns it, just like the SUV he tools around in even though he wants everyone else to drive a compact car. If Kerry HASN'T said he wants bikes off the road yet, wait a few minutes...he'll say it eventually.

Poor Kerry. He has rabbit ears and a sensitive streak. A bunch of protesters showed up banging 'flippies' together as a mockery of his every-side-of-every issue mentality, and he had a hissy-fit you could measure on the Richter scale. Not the kind of guy I want to have his finger on the button.

roughstuff

I suppose they don't pay U.S. Senators enough to buy a bicycle? Nor enough to buy a car? Let me guess, if you are married you have his and hers money too?

Thank heavens our current President, hard luck story that he is, was able to work his way to the top, all on his own.

took the words right out of my mouth. ;)

I don't think third party votes are wasted votes. Many of the important planks of 3rd parties have been incorporated into the mainstream parties at one time or another. And there is a conscience issue too. Everybody thinks GORE lost the election because of Nader, when Gore couldn't even carry his OWN state. Guess those Tennesseans knew something we were lucky enough to never have to find out.

I voted for the libertarians in 1996..I thought Dole was a pathetic candidate, senator, and would have been a terrible president.

roughstuff

I don't think third party votes are wasted votes. Many of the important planks of 3rd parties have been incorporated into the mainstream parties at one time or another. ...

I voted for the libertarians in 1996...

I am more centrist than libertarian, but I suspect many Americans would support significant portions of the libertarian platform.

As others have said, it's not a waste to vote one's conscience - as a general rule. But the reality of the situation is that in 2004 either Kerry or Bush will win the presidency. Nader and any other third party candidate doesn't have a prayer. For Nader to claim that there is no fundamental difference between Democrats and Republican is a joke! Does anyone actually think that Gore would have handled the post 9/11 situation WORSE than Bush has? Bush has attained everything in his life by virtue of his family connections, and pretty well botched up everything he's laid his hands on. His presidency is the latest addition to an already crappy track record. Regardless of party affiliation, I have yet to hear anyone give me a cogent explanation of why Bush is deserving of another 4 years in office.

For the record, I'm no big Kerry fan. I'm a recovering Deaniac. But Kerry is the best choice that I have this year. Idealism, sad to say, doesn't get you elected in the US anymore.

But Kerry is the best choice that I have this year. Idealism, sad to say, doesn't get you elected in the US anymore.

I'm voting for Kodos.

I'm voting for Kodos.

When you get sent to a forced labor camp to build a giant laser aimed at a planet you never heard of before, you have only yourself to blame...

When you get sent to a forced labor camp to build a giant laser aimed at a planet you never heard of before, you have only yourself to blame...

As that Porno for Pyros song goes, "we'll make great pets." :)

Not suprisingly, this thread has followed it's natural course into a political fray. So, why not jump in?

Libertarian party: the exercise of our fundamental political rights. But a more important discussion might be centered around the politics of the next 50 years, as the United States' population grows closer to 1/2 billion, most of which will be due to immigration. The question is, which political party will have the greatest success courting the votes of these newcomers? What will the political landscape look like, then?

Any political party that wants to succeed will have to learn to be diversified. So far, the Dem's have the most experience with that. Not that I support every Democratic agenda (nor Republican nor Libertarian,) but it's something to think about. I suspect the Republican Party will learn to embrace a more diversified agenda in years to come.

"No one in the U.S. can force bicyclists off the road, because to do so would be to violate our fundamental right to freedom of mobility. We have to be vigilant and proactive, but we can wrap ourselves in the American flag on this issue."

Finally, a practical reason to misuse the American flag as a garment!

:)

... as the United States' population grows closer to 1/2 billion, most of which will be due to immigration.... Um, except for a few hundred thousand remaining descendents, our current population is all "due to immigration".

Idealism, sad to say, doesn't get you elected in the US anymore. Nowadays, neither do elections...

Um, except for a few hundred thousand remaining descendents, our current population is all "due to immigration".

actually, the indians are immigrants too. They walked across the bearing straight.

"Hey Ma how bout some coookies?"

"No Dice."

"This ain't ova'."

.... sorry had to do it. saw that you were from Branson. :roflmao:

Nowadays, neither do elections...

Bullseye!