Ken Avidor is correct about needing to see more politicians riding in an event like Critical Mass. I also think it was wonderful that the Mayor went for a different kind of "RideAlong". I could not agree more about the necessity of changing the post WWII mind-set that the automobile is the most important thing in American lives. The City is starting to get the message I hope.
I am someone who has made sure that bike and pedestrian paths were included in community planning efforts, even ones I am involved with planning. I have had major fights with the Minneapolis Planning Department and some old City Council members about their insistence in only allowing community design that is based on the automobile rather than HUMANS. I am also some one who is an old time peddler. I was riding a bike to and from work when most of the readers were not yet born, or if so were riding bikes with training wheels. The above being said, I have some major problems with bikes being ridden into oncoming traffic lanes. Have any of you seen the commercial where the squirrels cause an accident by making the driver swerve to avoid him, then do high-fives? I have a problem with someone jumping out in front of traffic, riding a bicycle in the wrong lane, and yes against driving in the wrong lane. Not because of the safety of the idiot doing it, but for the safety of the law abiding pedestrian or bike rider that might be struck by a swerving car. Reckless endangerment of life is also against the law for a reason other than just to protect idiots from fulfilling Darwin's theory. They are in place to protect innocent people. I have advocated and engaged in a certain amount of "civil" disobedience in my time, but not when you endanger others. Getting in a politicians face, taking over an office, not paying your taxes and going to jail, those are things I do not mind if someone wishes. (As long as you are willing to pay the piper you ought to be able to dance.) Possibly causing a distracted driver to swerve and run over a child, that I have a problem with. Also, if I were a person who cared enough about bikes as a safe alternative to cars to participate in the ride, I would be PO'ed by those choosing to show it as something else. Jim Graham' Ventura Village ----- Original Message ----- From: ken avidor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2002 2:18 AM Subject: [Mpls] Critical Mass > Critical Mass is a celebration of bicycling...sort of like Mardi Gras > on two wheels. Some folks get a little carried away with the feeling > and do dumb stuff like ride against traffic which I don't think is a > good idea for safety reasons. I think its important to remember that > the difference between bicyclists breaking traffic laws and motorists > breaking traffic laws is that cars kill and maim people. > > I want to thank the Mayor for riding with the Critical Mass. His > participation made it more fun and safe. I don't ride all the way with > the Mass, either and I seem to remember the Mayor leaving the Mass near > City Hall which is far enough. > > I encourage other folks in government to ride with the Mass to see how > much more safe, quiet and fun the streets of Minneapolis are when > they're filled with bikes instead of cars. > > Ken Avidor > Kingfield > > > _______________________________________ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
