nycm'er

Some how that posted by hitting 'tab' so there it is. Quickly, if we should be ashamed of the actions of others in a large unplanned, unorganized, uncontrolled ride, and labeled as troublesome as they are, i.e. riding on sidewalks, taunting cops etc. shall we paint everyone with a like brush? At what percentage is the number of morons in a crowd representative of the whole? 99% of NYC CM riders are out for a fun, safe spontaneous ride, that proves multiple points while on it. We as citizens are not going to get what we want by nagging, so get out there and ride!

vincenzosi

Ummm, no I didn't. I did explain numerous times, however, that I thought CM was a waste of time and accomplished zippo. If you belong to fifty thousand other organizations, groups, or initiatives and they're all helpful, that doesn't make CM helpful at all.

And NYCM'er, as I said, overzealous police officers are wrong. Period. And I hope you guys take it to them. Contrary to what you may think, I don't condone the actions of the police just because I disagree with CM rides.

In fact you guys have me so intrigued about the police aspect of it, I'll be on my bike at the end of November with my video camera giving CM another try. If they pull any ****, I'll have it on film.

If anyone would like to meet up at the ride, let me know. Should be interesting to see what the video camera sees.

Mars

vincenzosi wrote:
"And NYCM'er, as I said, overzealous police officers are wrong. Period. And I hope you guys take it to them. Contrary to what you may think, I don't condone the actions of the police just because I disagree with CM rides.

In fact you guys have me so intrigued about the police aspect of it, I'll be on my bike at the end of November with my video camera giving CM another try. If they pull any ****, I'll have it on film."

and I think that is right on and reflects the kind of give and take debate that makes a forum like this such a positive thing.

vincenzosi

We're all reasonable here. We may bicker on stuff like this, but it's those two wheeled rockets we all have that bind us together.

cue beautiful music here

We have differing opinions on how to handle advocacy, rights, etc., but we all want the same thing: a safe place to ride and a city that respects riders.

In the end, that's always a good thing, however we have to get there.

nycm'er

Vince and Mars (if you are in the city), lets talk as the end of the month approaches, I will def. meet up with you guys. We will talk then and set up a place to meet on the night of the ride. I will be out of the country starting Tues. night for a week.

vincenzosi

Excellent. I'm looking forward to it!

larue

now there's a good ending.

wish I could be there, perhaps in spring of '05 I'll be able to make it back to NY.

edit: anyone ever ride their bike from Florida to New York? heh.

vincenzosi

PS: What should I do about a bike? I guess my Schwinn would make more sense than the Trek in case they confiscate it and "lose" it?

larue

are people losing their bikes after they are arrested?

vincenzosi

Yep. And somehow or another they never get found. Not all of them, but there have been stories...

nycm'er

People are losing their bikes with out being arrested, the cops called 40 bikes in september, "abandoned" while locked to meters and signs. This is the cause of the latest lawsuit in NYC. I can't figure out how they missed all those "abandoned" cars parked on the street. The NYPD was told before the October ride not to cut locks without a reason, i.e.the rider actually broke a law. They appeared to have cut some anyway at the Puck building. It seems since the RNC, you don't always need to be doing something wrong to be detained by the NYPD. Vince, I don't know about the likelyhood of losing your ride, why dont you bring 5 biking friends and lower the odds? Ha! The real question is why do we need to ask such questions if you are not looking for trouble? And what defines trouble?

vincenzosi

The video camera will tell the tale...

I wish I had five cycling friends. As it is, I'm the only loon. Me and my dad, that is, but my dad wouldn't be up for anything "activist" lol. Seriously though, I'm bringing the Schwinn. If they "lose" that, then so be it. But they'll have lots of 'splaining to do when I put my vidcam in their face.

Even so, I'm still looking forward to meeting you guys!

larue

Are you mounting your camera to your helmet or just keeping it with you in case you need it?

vincenzosi

I'll just have it with me, actually. It's really REALLY small (I can palm it basically).

Mars

I would love to ride with you guys. Unfortunately (or fortunately as the case may be) I live in Vermont. But, if I do come to NYC or Brooklyn I will bring my bike and we can get together. Is it a date?

vincenzosi

You make the trip, I'll make the time :-)

And Merton, if what these guys are saying is true, the cops would probably arrest them for coming off the route to talk to them.

scarry

It's been going on for 12 years in many cities. EVERY MONTH.

In SF CA, where CM started, cycling conditions have steadily improved and the local advocacy group has gained amazing stregth, even influencing elections.
https://www.sfbike.org

Laika

I would gladly ride with you , CM or not.

vincenzosi

Thanks Laika. It's mutual :-)

Dang

Man! I wish I had this kind of responce with my "leather saddle" post!

vincenzosi

Which part? The contentious beginning or the lovey dovey end?

genec

I think generally the laws are there... but the cage drivers don't know it, and certainly don't share the road. CM may be a rather unruly way to show that there are a lot more cyclist out there than the average driver believes, but it does get attention.

The real issue is that cops don't enforce the laws evenly, and drivers refuse to believe that bikes belong on the road. If there was some way to tell drivers that they MUST share the road, then I would be all for it... I would love to see PSAs that illustrate and train how to be a safe, courteous driver... heck, I would love for these idiots to just use turnsignals... sigh...

suntreader

I respectfully disagree. Where I live, the police are very good about enforcing these laws. I see Share the Road PSA's on TV all the time. There are Share the Road signs on most streets. All new roads are being built with bike-only lanes.

Drivers almost always cut a wide path around me when I'm on the street. If I'm making a left turn, drivers typically stay behind me until I make the turn. Overall, I think everybody around here is doing a good job on both sides of the issue.