Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Advocacy & Safety
Reload this Page >

It’s Time to End the Politicization of Cycling

Search
Notices
Advocacy & Safety Cyclists should expect and demand safe accommodation on every public road, just as do all other users. Discuss your bicycle advocacy and safety concerns here.

It’s Time to End the Politicization of Cycling

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-26-11, 02:35 PM
  #226  
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
I would generally class "superstitions, taboos, phobias, attitudes" as ignorant, but I meant literally "ignorance" as in not knowing something. Not fully comprehending what they do know.

I honestly don't care about whether bikeways are intended to enforce motorist superiority laws nor the assumptions upon which that hypothesis is based. Almost every problem I see in my little cycling world boils down to someone not knowing something or operating under false assumptions. Including myself, twenty years ago.

I've always known the traffic laws pertaining to bicycles. I've always known that bicycles were vehicles and could and should be ridden as such in appropriate circumstances. But if you'd asked me twenty years ago about cycling as your primary transportation in normal traffic the words "death wish" would have crossed my lips, and this is the most common reaction that I encounter still. I literally did not know whether it was feasible to use the bike for commuting, groceries, family transport and incidental trips, and what the survivability would be if one attempted it in a large US city. I'd never known or even seen it other than some guy in jeans on the sidewalk or club riders close to city parks. Literal ignorance was the greatest impediment and I was more knowledgeable than most. How many people will willingly adopt a behavior change like that based on a theory, when they have doubts not only that it's possible but whether they'd survive it? I'd wager only a few, so informing and educating the public on the efficacy of cycling must be the foundation for everything else.

That's really the same solution for educating drivers which is the second challenge of ignorance. I don't need to go into those problems, not here, but I will tell you that I had more conflicts - again in my little cycling world of 10 mile radius - in the first few weeks than the next several months, and more then than in the three years since. I didn't change. I was a "vehicular cyclist" from the first day, strictly following traffic code including FRAP and taking the lane as necessary in self-preservation. Locals got used to it. I am certain that when the driving public is educated as to pertinent traffic law and informed to the reality of cyclists on the road that problems diminish. This knowledge is not "out there", not nearly enough, and I firmly believe that informing the public should be a priority in every issue regarding cycling regardless of whether it's advocacy, policy or even events.
wphamilton is offline  
Old 10-26-11, 03:14 PM
  #227  
genec
 
genec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079

Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2

Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times in 3,158 Posts
Originally Posted by John Forester
Originally Posted by John Forester
I agree with what you say, except for your last sentence. Our biggest problem is not ignorance, which would have been fixed by the amount of information disseminated by now. Our problem is superstitions, taboos, phobias, attitudes, or whatever you choose to call them that combine both anti-cyclist and anti-motoring views. For bicycle traffic, the American road system, with its anti-cyclist laws and its bikeways to enforce them, operates in the motorist-superiority, cyclist-inferiority mode. However, there is opposition to motoring, from environmentalists, planners, downtown interests, and others, but when that opposition considers bicycle transportation it supports the bikeways and cyclist-inferiority views and laws created by the motoring establishment for the convenience of motorists.

There is plenty of evidence in the psychological literature that just plain information, education, doesn't correct such problems.




Please, genec, think more carefully. You write as if you disagreed with my posting, yet your actual words demonstrate that you agree.
I disagree with your posting... what you consider superstitions, taboos, phobias, attitudes" or whatever else you might call it, are the bad habits developed by poorly trained motorists, that develop such habits over time after receiving a license.

In another thread the ease of license renewal was discussed https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post13415983 wherein no review of drivers handbooks or any other requirement, is made of motorists to either further educate them of new laws, or emphasize existing laws and rules of the road.

Information is NOT getting to the motoring public regarding either the rights of cyclists or the responsibilities of motorists with regard to cyclists. Therefore motorists are quite ignorant, with regard to the rules of the road as they pertain to sharing the road with cyclists, in spite of your thinking otherwise.

With regard to "evidence in the psychological literature that just plain information, education, doesn't correct such problems..." while this may be true, we have hardly even tried to actually educate either the motoring or cycling public in anything but the most minimal way. We have plenty of evidence here on BF of even Law Enforcement Officials that don't know or understand the very laws they are trying to enforce.

Yes, superstitions, taboos, phobias, and attitudes will arise in the absence of good upfront training.
genec is offline  
Old 10-26-11, 04:57 PM
  #228  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,071
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by genec
I disagree with your posting... what you consider superstitions, taboos, phobias, attitudes" or whatever else you might call it, are the bad habits developed by poorly trained motorists, that develop such habits over time after receiving a license.

In another thread the ease of license renewal was discussed https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post13415983 wherein no review of drivers handbooks or any other requirement, is made of motorists to either further educate them of new laws, or emphasize existing laws and rules of the road.

Information is NOT getting to the motoring public regarding either the rights of cyclists or the responsibilities of motorists with regard to cyclists. Therefore motorists are quite ignorant, with regard to the rules of the road as they pertain to sharing the road with cyclists, in spite of your thinking otherwise.

With regard to "evidence in the psychological literature that just plain information, education, doesn't correct such problems..." while this may be true, we have hardly even tried to actually educate either the motoring or cycling public in anything but the most minimal way. We have plenty of evidence here on BF of even Law Enforcement Officials that don't know or understand the very laws they are trying to enforce.

Yes, superstitions, taboos, phobias, and attitudes will arise in the absence of good upfront training.
I don't recognize the logic of your posting. You seem to be arguing that the motorist's shout of "Get off the road!" is a bad habit. You seem to be arguing that when a police officer invents a law with which to cite a cyclist, that is the result of ignorance. These acts are neither habits nor the result of ignorance. If ignorance was involved, nothing would have been done because the actor would not have known what to do. These acts are the result of strong beliefs that are contrary to fact, which I have suggested carry names such as superstitions, taboos, and phobias.

If you want to dispute this, then present your facts and reasoning.

But you have already justified my argument by writing, above: "Information is NOT getting to the motoring public regarding either the rights of cyclists or the responsibilities of motorists with regard to cyclists." It may be getting to them, but it is rejected because it conflicts with their pre-existing superstitious beliefs. So what is your point?
John Forester is offline  
Old 10-26-11, 05:27 PM
  #229  
genec
 
genec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079

Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2

Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times in 3,158 Posts
Originally Posted by John Forester
I don't recognize the logic of your posting. You seem to be arguing that the motorist's shout of "Get off the road!" is a bad habit. You seem to be arguing that when a police officer invents a law with which to cite a cyclist, that is the result of ignorance. These acts are neither habits nor the result of ignorance. If ignorance was involved, nothing would have been done because the actor would not have known what to do. These acts are the result of strong beliefs that are contrary to fact, which I have suggested carry names such as superstitions, taboos, and phobias.

If you want to dispute this, then present your facts and reasoning.

But you have already justified my argument by writing, above: "Information is NOT getting to the motoring public regarding either the rights of cyclists or the responsibilities of motorists with regard to cyclists." It may be getting to them, but it is rejected because it conflicts with their pre-existing superstitious beliefs. So what is your point?
New drivers rarely have "pre-existing superstitious beliefs..." they tend to develop their own value system, first by what is handed down by parents; and second by what they observe, good or bad, on the roadways. New motorists are so poorly trained that they are as open as new born babies to what ever the world gives them. Thus they develop their own set of "rules" much as the officer that invents a law. Bad habits and superstitions have to be developed, we don't come with them pre-implanted... thus my argument that these arise out of ignorance.

Proper up front training, vice the shoddy six week "40 hours" we now offer would help to put this right... even better would be a system that first teaches proper cycling, then introduces the motor vehicle, after the student has learned the proper rules of the road on the bicycle. If new drivers first learned the rules of the road and practiced cycling, they would understand that bikes belong and would hardly ever be motivated to yell "get off the road" to a cyclist.
genec is offline  
Old 10-26-11, 05:37 PM
  #230  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,621
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by Roughstuff
instead of being anti-car luddites joining the OWS animals throwing hissy fits, cans and bottles at cops from Oakland to Atlanta, cycling will become an even faster growing phenomenon in our nation.

roughstuff
I stand with the OWS animals in calling for a return to the rule of law and an end to taxpayer-funded bailouts for financial criminals. You don't have to be a bicyclist to figure that one out.
RobertHurst is offline  
Old 10-26-11, 05:42 PM
  #231  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,071
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by genec
New drivers rarely have "pre-existing superstitious beliefs..." they tend to develop their own value system, first by what is handed down by parents; and second by what they observe, good or bad, on the roadways. New motorists are so poorly trained that they are as open as new born babies to what ever the world gives them. Thus they develop their own set of "rules" much as the officer that invents a law. Bad habits and superstitions have to be developed, we don't come with them pre-implanted... thus my argument that these arise out of ignorance.

Proper up front training, vice the shoddy six week "40 hours" we now offer would help to put this right... even better would be a system that first teaches proper cycling, then introduces the motor vehicle, after the student has learned the proper rules of the road on the bicycle. If new drivers first learned the rules of the road and practiced cycling, they would understand that bikes belong and would hardly ever be motivated to yell "get off the road" to a cyclist.
Genec argues that new motorists rarely have pre-existing superstitious beliefs, in this case about motoring. Then he writes: "they tend to develop their own value system, first by what is handed down by parents; and second by what they observe, good and bad, on the roadways."

Genec, I have long recognized that your mind resides in some etherial otherworld, but you need to recognize that the two statements above directly contradict each other. If you had learned almost any kind of social science you would have known how people learn the basics of the society in which they grow up.
John Forester is offline  
Old 10-26-11, 05:52 PM
  #232  
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
Originally Posted by genec
Bad habits and superstitions have to be developed, we don't come with them pre-implanted... thus my argument that these arise out of ignorance.
Of course they arise from ignorance. How silly would one have to get, to argue otherwise?? Some inherent quality which predisposes one to willful denial? Good grief.
wphamilton is offline  
Old 10-26-11, 05:54 PM
  #233  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,621
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by John Forester
The suburbs are still the areas in which the most increase in population is occurring, while many urban centers have been losing population for years. See Demographia for data.
MMmm, no. Housing starts (read: suburban population growth) are at their lowest level in 30 years.

If you want to know if "motoring" is increasing or decreasing, check the statistic which measures this directly: VMT. VMT is below its previous peak for 45 months. That is a historic contraction in 'motoring.'

Even if more people were moving to the suburbs (which they aren't) it wouldn't necessarily translate to an increase in motoring. As we've seen, they could telecommute, run a business out of their home, carpool, use one of the new light rail trains; or simply cut way back on their frivolous driving, combining some trips and eliminating others, while continuing to commute every day by private car. All of this could result in marked decrease in motoring even if people were swarming to the suburbs (which they aren't).

A better indirect measure of motoring trends than suburban growth/contraction is new vehicle sales. They are still way down from pre-2008 levels. VMT, the drop in oil consumption and vehicle sales combine to indicate an apparent 'new normal,' in which personal motoring in the US is on the wane.
RobertHurst is offline  
Old 10-26-11, 05:55 PM
  #234  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 600

Bikes: All-City Space Horse!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by John Forester
Genec argues that new motorists rarely have pre-existing superstitious beliefs, in this case about motoring. Then he writes: "they tend to develop their own value system, first by what is handed down by parents; and second by what they observe, good and bad, on the roadways."

Genec, I have long recognized that your mind resides in some etherial otherworld, but you need to recognize that the two statements above directly contradict each other. If you had learned almost any kind of social science you would have known how people learn the basics of the society in which they grow up.
I know very few drivers with a lot of superstitious beliefs about motoring. Wrong, uninformed, contradictory, sure. Not so much superstition though.
weshigh is offline  
Old 10-26-11, 07:09 PM
  #235  
Senior Member
 
Chicago Al's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago, the leafy NW side
Posts: 2,478

Bikes: 1974 Motobecane Grand Record, 1987 Miyata Pro, 1988 Bob Jackson Lady Mixte (wife's), others in the family

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 154 Times in 78 Posts
Originally Posted by Roughstuff
Bingo. And very good news. Not only is the idea that people have choices with transportation catching on (more energy efficient vehicles, walking, cycling, mopeds, whatever), but we also have choices with other energy use (natural gas, woodchips, conservation, passive solar, etc) as well as infinitely more efficient energy appliances.

On the supply side, despite the best attempts by whackoAlgorewannabees, we are finding natural gas and augmented petroleum liquids deposits in the continental US and Canada at such a rapid pace that we now have a 200 year supply of fossil fuels in our own borders at current usage rates...and the efficiencies above will stretch that even further.

Once people realize the average cyclist is in it to enjoy the recreation, the lower costs of commuting, and its health benefits, instead of being anti-car luddites joining the OWS animals throwing hissy fits, cans and bottles at cops from Oakland to Atlanta, cycling will become an even faster growing phenomenon in our nation.

roughstuff
For one thing, you have brought the OWS protests into several threads recently, without showing in any way how that relates to cycling or the underlying discussion.

If you think that certain politicians lump cyclists in with those 'animals,' and that's a problem for you, take it up with those politicians. You'll find them in the Republican Party (US) or Conservative Party (Canada).

If you want to rant about OWS or Rachel Carson or Al Gore or any of your other hobbyhorses, P&R is thataway>>>>>>.

To the rest of your post, you obviously think that energy efficiency, solar power, and conservation are good things. Who are you now, Al Gore? Seriously, who the f do you think is responsible for those even being options, ExxonMobil or the Club for Growth? It's those dirty hippies in the Sierra Club and the other 'enviro-whackos' who brought these things into the national discussion back in the 70s and before. If it was up to the Ayn Rand Fan Club, cars would get 5mpg, there would be no such thing as energy efficient appliances, and solar power wouldn't exist unless there was actually a way to charge for use of the sun's rays themselves.

A study written up in Scientific American last year showed that self-identified Republican households, when able to monitor their own energy use, actually used MORE energy in response to feedback.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...-saving-energy

If you like clean air and water and disdain energy-hogging polluting vehicles, smile...you may already be an enviro-whacko yourself!
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.

- Dr Samuel Johnson

Last edited by Chicago Al; 10-26-11 at 07:39 PM.
Chicago Al is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 03:06 AM
  #236  
totally louche
 
Bekologist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023

Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
hear, hear, Chicago Al. well said.

the libertarian viewpoint often teams up for a duet with nihilism. but that's more a a P&R thing.

as to ending the artifice of schism in bicycling, and remove the stigma and politicization of bicycling......

populist widespread support for biking as fun, as fitness, as senior mobility, as health, as social equality.....all good reasons to end the politicization of cycling.

it'd save communities, individuals and the nation money as well. cycling is an economically sound mode of transport.
Bekologist is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 06:59 AM
  #237  
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924

Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times in 635 Posts
The politics of OWS or the loons that plug up streets with mob cycling at the end of each month are fools. All that either one accomplishes is ticking off people.
rydabent is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 07:01 AM
  #238  
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924

Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times in 635 Posts
The politics of OWS or the loons that plug up streets with mob cycling at the end of each month are fools. All that either one accomplishes is ticking off people.

If you dont like things the way they are, vote in the elections, dont plug up the streets and show people how stupid you are.
rydabent is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 09:24 AM
  #239  
Punk Rock Lives
 
Roughstuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Throughout the west in a van, on my bike, and in the forest
Posts: 3,305

Bikes: Long Haul Trucker with BRIFTERS!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 39 Posts
Originally Posted by rydabent
The politics of OWS or the loons that plug up streets with mob cycling at the end of each month are fools. All that either one accomplishes is ticking off people.

If you dont like things the way they are, vote in the elections, dont plug up the streets and show people how stupid you are.
Well as they say it is an ill wind which blows nobody good. OWS has been infiltrated by drug dealers, illegal immigrants and homeless folks who are, shall we say, rather talented at redistributing wealth (laptops. tents, bicycles, food, etc) from the OWS people to themselves. [also known as stealing, but I digress].

The irony is just incredible. Maybe they can call the police?


And as for Chicago Al's straw men, knock em down dude! I use more energy heating my home this year 'cause natural gas prices have collapsed due to a surge in production. Un-fracking believable! Sure can't thank AlGore for that!

roughstuff
Roughstuff is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 10:06 AM
  #240  
Senior Member
 
Chicago Al's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago, the leafy NW side
Posts: 2,478

Bikes: 1974 Motobecane Grand Record, 1987 Miyata Pro, 1988 Bob Jackson Lady Mixte (wife's), others in the family

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 154 Times in 78 Posts
Again, absolutely nothing in the above post relates to cycling or this thread's topic. Talk about straw men.

But the premise of this particular thread is absurd, anyway. Of course cycling is political; it involves laws and allocation of resources. The OP's complaint (assuming he shared the POV of the article he quoted) was that he didn't like being lumped in with enviro/leftist/hippies. Which is hardly the enviro/leftist/hippies' fault; they aren't the ones denigrating cyclists. Bear in mind that stalwart conservatives like Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto aren't just against bike infrastructure...Ford has stated that cyclists don't belong on Toronto's streets.
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.

- Dr Samuel Johnson

Last edited by Chicago Al; 10-27-11 at 10:09 AM.
Chicago Al is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 10:20 AM
  #241  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,621
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by Roughstuff
Well as they say it is an ill wind which blows nobody good. OWS has been infiltrated by drug dealers, illegal immigrants and homeless folks who are, shall we say, rather talented at redistributing wealth (laptops. tents, bicycles, food, etc) from the OWS people to themselves. [also known as stealing, but I digress].
Interesting characterization of OWS you're putting out there...animals and thieves. Last I checked OWS had also been infiltrated by elderly people and war veterans, and kids. And also plenty of financial types like Barry Ritholtz and Karl Denninger.

Enjoy your gas. Good thing you don't need water

Last edited by unterhausen; 10-27-11 at 11:50 AM. Reason: don't defeat the censor
RobertHurst is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 01:26 PM
  #242  
Punk Rock Lives
 
Roughstuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Throughout the west in a van, on my bike, and in the forest
Posts: 3,305

Bikes: Long Haul Trucker with BRIFTERS!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 39 Posts
Originally Posted by rydabent
The politics of OWS or the loons that plug up streets with mob cycling at the end of each month are fools. ....
And they are the same ilk. Whether its occupying city parks or occupying roadways and blocking the free flow of traffic, OWS/CM are cut from the same cloth. All the self admiring potty mouths in the universe won't change that.

roughstuff
Roughstuff is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 02:08 PM
  #243  
totally louche
 
Bekologist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023

Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
what bogus, inaccurate politicization of bicycling by some posters. Its time to end the rank politicization of bicycling.

suggestions a more bikeable america is the sole purview of Occupy Wall Street and Critical Mass? protesters?

Please, some of us can actually think about bicycling and bicycling promotion without the polarizing politics.

I haven't been near Wall Street or a critical mass ride for years, yet i still want my home town to be more bikeable for senior citizens and college students and kids and moms and folks not so fit, so they can get to the store and out for nice recreational, transportational, fitness or just because rides.

its time to end the politicization of bicycling.

Bicycling is good for America. Strive to normalize bicycling as everyday transport. End the politicization of bicycling. Kids do it, righties do it, lefties do it, centrists do it, commies do it, birchers do it........

Bicycling transcends class, race, age, and political party in America. End the politicization of biking now.


At least amongst ourselves whydontchyas?

Last edited by Bekologist; 10-27-11 at 02:12 PM.
Bekologist is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 02:09 PM
  #244  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,071
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by genec
Bad habits and superstitions have to be developed, we don't come with them pre-implanted... thus my argument that these arise out of ignorance.


Originally Posted by wphamilton
Of course they arise from ignorance. How silly would one have to get, to argue otherwise?? Some inherent quality which predisposes one to willful denial? Good grief.
The words above demonstrate that both writers have no idea of the processes by which social habits, beliefs, and such are passed down through the generations, diffuse laterally within generations, and get modified as they go. These are basic concepts in almost any branch of the sociological fields. I suggested that Genec learn some before making more statements on this subject, but he persists, evidently in the belief that he has sufficient knowledge in these fields.
John Forester is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 02:15 PM
  #245  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,071
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bekologist
what bogus, inaccurate politicization of bicycling by some posters. Its time to end the rank politicization of bicycling.

suggestions a more bikeable america is the sole purview of Occupy Wall Street and Critical Mass? protesters?

Please, some of us can actually think about bicycling and bicycling promotion without the polarizing politics.

I haven't been near Wall Street or a critical mass ride for years, yet i still want my home town to be more bikeable for senior citizen and kids and moms and folks not so fit, so they can get to the store and on nice recreational, transportational, fitness or just because rides.

its time to end the politicization of bicycling.

Bicycling is good for America. Strive to normalize bicycling as everyday transport. End the politicization of bicycling. Kids do it, righties do it, lefties do it, centrists do it, commies do it, birchers do it........

Bicycling transcends class, race, age, and political party in America. End the politicization of biking now.


At least amongst ourselves whydontchyas?
But Bek, I thought that you wanted biking to be politized! After all these years in which you have been advocating governmental action regarding "biking" you have decided to give up such advocacy? But I am pretty sure that I am premature in making this statement, because I happen to believe that you want the kind of government action, which is necessarily political, that suits your ideology, while decrying the opposition by calling it political.
John Forester is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 03:56 PM
  #246  
totally louche
 
Bekologist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023

Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by jf
But Bek, I thought that you wanted biking to be politized! After all these years in which you have been advocating governmental action regarding "biking" you have decided to give up such advocacy...
not until they stop paving roads, i haven't given up promoting cycling, why no john.



I'm pretty populist about bicycling for one and all, in case you hasn't noticed. You either didn't read what you just quoted of mine, or are insufferable about this bicycling stuff.

Mind stuffing the uncalled-for rancor back in the dark corner where it should be, and keep it out of respectable conversation?

Some of us would like to discuss bicycling.
Bekologist is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 04:33 PM
  #247  
Senior Member
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times in 6,054 Posts
Originally Posted by rydabent
The politics of OWS or the loons that plug up streets with mob cycling at the end of each month are fools. All that either one accomplishes is ticking off people.
Originally Posted by rydabent
The politics of OWS or the loons that plug up streets with mob cycling at the end of each month are fools. All that either one accomplishes is ticking off people.

If you dont like things the way they are, vote in the elections, dont plug up the streets and show people how stupid you are.
Originally Posted by Roughstuff
Well as they say it is an ill wind which blows nobody good. OWS has been infiltrated by drug dealers, illegal immigrants and homeless folks who are, shall we say, rather talented at redistributing wealth (laptops. tents, bicycles, food, etc) from the OWS people to themselves. [also known as stealing, but I digress].

The irony is just incredible. Maybe they can call the police?


And as for Chicago Al's straw men, knock em down dude! I use more energy heating my home this year 'cause natural gas prices have collapsed due to a surge in production. Un-fracking believable! Sure can't thank AlGore for that!

roughstuff
You folks would be more convincing if you wiped the froth away from your mouths before addressing the public.
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 05:11 PM
  #248  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,071
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bekologist
not until they stop paving roads, i haven't given up promoting cycling, why no john.



I'm pretty populist about bicycling for one and all, in case you hasn't noticed. You either didn't read what you just quoted of mine, or are insufferable about this bicycling stuff.

Mind stuffing the uncalled-for rancor back in the dark corner where it should be, and keep it out of respectable conversation?

Some of us would like to discuss bicycling.
Uncalled-for rancor, Bek? Just for noting that your calls for governmental action regarding bicycling are political actions? And in a discussion titled something like removing the politics from bicycling? You must have a thin skin to think that my remark was uncalled-for rancor.
John Forester is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 06:23 PM
  #249  
totally louche
 
Bekologist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023

Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
It's time to end the politicization of cycling.

Bicycles for one and all. From john birch to john brown, john lennon to vladimir illych, whoever your persuasion,

debates about bicycling and bicycling funding has no place in partisan politics. Write to your senators, keep Transportation Enhancement funding for the good of the country.
Bekologist is offline  
Old 10-27-11, 06:32 PM
  #250  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 747
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bekologist
It's time to end the politicization of cycling.

Bicycles for one and all. From john birch to john brown, john lennon to vladimir illych, whoever your persuasion,

debates about bicycling and bicycling funding has no place in partisan politics. Write to your senators, keep Transportation Enhancement funding for the good of the country.
I agree that bicycling should not be a partisan topic in politics, and that it doesn't even really make sense for it to be treated as one. Unfortunately, it seems to have become one, and no amount of wishing it weren't will change that. Anti-cycling politicians have made it a partisan topic, seemingly for reasons completely unrelated to whether it makes sense in the framework of partisan politics. It seems to be just another issue that's being used to gain advantage on larger stuff. For example, it's being used as an excuse to delay or cut funding for all road infrastructure. I don't believe the reason for this is that the politicians involved particularly hate cycling; I think it's more just that they perceive cycling as a special interest with a small constituency (and therefore a risk-free target to use as an excuse for a larger partisan position).
mnemia is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Roody
Living Car Free
37
05-25-13 05:18 AM
welshTerrier2
Advocacy & Safety
61
11-15-12 10:16 AM
work4bike
Europe
17
07-30-12 08:47 AM
randya
Advocacy & Safety
59
03-30-10 01:24 AM
danarnold
Vehicular Cycling (VC)
176
01-07-10 01:25 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.