Flashride Wednesday 22nd

rjsterry

Is this going to go on all day again? Just so I know not to bother checking back.

notsoblue

rjsterry wrote:

Is this going to go on all day again? Just so I know not to bother checking back.

No, I'll let him have the last word.

jonny_trousers

Just thinking aloud on this one really, but from a purely selfish perspective I'm not sure I want many more cyclists on London roads. Sure, I know that with greater participation comes more of a responsibility for authority to pay attention to our needs, but let's be honest, cycling relatively safely in major cities requires a certain awareness and a level of skill that many cyclists just do not posses. I'm lucky in that my journey is rarely at peak commuting times, but when it is, my heart goes out to you poor buggers who have to deal with idiots on bikes on a daily basis. That repeatedly-pushing-to-the-front-of-the-cycle-queue-at-traffic-lights thing only to set off slowly and get in everyone else's way when they change is something I only ever experience when riding at busy times, but it happens over and over again when I do, and it drives me nuts. I'm not that fussed about those who RLJ on my journey because there are few of them and the roads are often dead, but at rush hour, the sheer number of divs who clearly know that they are putting themselves in danger and maybe even yes, bringing their fellow cyclists into disrepute by so casually breaking the law is staggering. Like DDD says, I quite like that I can cruise along at 18mph plus without really needing to be held up by plodding nodders, but with more cyclists on the road, or segregated cycle lanes, perhaps I would no longer be able to do so.

I'm not too sure that I believe anything I have just said justifies not encouraging more people to ride, but like I say, it was on my mind. I'm completely open to all arguments and think a lot of you on opposite sides of the fence have had worthwhile things to say.

iPete

There are about 10 regular riders and another 10 fair weather riders in my office, an office of 60 I should add. Only myself and 1-2 others are vehicular speed freaks. Everyone else wants to get to work safely not in a sweaty mess.

So from a personal perspective I don't agree with everything proposed but I can see the bigger picture.

veronese68

iPete wrote:

So from a personal perspective I don't agree with everything proposed but I can see the bigger picture.

I totally agree with this. My main concern is as my kids start cycling to school out in the suburbs. I hope the general increase in awareness will help with this.

Koncordski

For me it's a case of awareness. It's easy to dismiss cyclists concerns as you see the man on the bike RLJ'ing but it's harder to ignore reality when it's shoved in your face. The whole point of rides like this is to physically demonstrate that there are an awful lot of us and that we deserve some proper consideration. When you get a huge number of bikes together in somewhere like central london it's going to annoy anyone trying to drive home but they can't fail to notice how many there are. It raises awareness, it highlights how many more cars/PB journeys there would be if we didn't choose 2 wheels and it gives us an opportunity to come together as a group and make a point. Do I agree with everything they're doing, no. For me the impact it makes is worth the scowling faces from the drivers, I get my fair share of open hostility when there is just one bike with me on it so they might aswell have something to think about.

notsoblue

Veronese68 wrote:

iPete wrote:

So from a personal perspective I don't agree with everything proposed but I can see the bigger picture.

I totally agree with this. My main concern is as my kids start cycling to school out in the suburbs. I hope the general increase in awareness will help with this.

I agree too. My concern is for my sisters and cousins. They should be able to use bikes to get around without having to be lycra garbed SCR nuts like me...

notsoblue

Koncordski wrote:

For me it's a case of awareness. It's easy to dismiss cyclists concerns as you see the man on the bike RLJ'ing but it's harder to ignore reality when it's shoved in your face. The whole point of rides like this is to physically demonstrate that there are an awful lot of us and that we deserve some proper consideration. When you get a huge number of bikes together in somewhere like central london it's going to annoy anyone trying to drive home but they can't fail to notice how many there are. It raises awareness, it highlights how many more cars/PB journeys there would be if we didn't choose 2 wheels and it gives us an opportunity to come together as a group and make a point. Do I agree with everything they're doing, no. For me the impact it makes is worth the scowling faces from the drivers, I get my fair share of open hostility when there is just one bike with me on it so they might aswell have something to think about.

+1 Well put.

vermin

notsoblue wrote:

Koncordski wrote:

For me it's a case of awareness. It's easy to dismiss cyclists concerns as you see the man on the bike RLJ'ing but it's harder to ignore reality when it's shoved in your face. The whole point of rides like this is to physically demonstrate that there are an awful lot of us and that we deserve some proper consideration. When you get a huge number of bikes together in somewhere like central london it's going to annoy anyone trying to drive home but they can't fail to notice how many there are. It raises awareness, it highlights how many more cars/PB journeys there would be if we didn't choose 2 wheels and it gives us an opportunity to come together as a group and make a point. Do I agree with everything they're doing, no. For me the impact it makes is worth the scowling faces from the drivers, I get my fair share of open hostility when there is just one bike with me on it so they might aswell have something to think about.

+1 Well put.

Absolutely. The issue is in the Commons and is being debated by sensible people. I just hope that the impact of tonight is limited to raising awareness, and that this doesn't give a platform to some of the more, err, questionable elements to throw the sensible work off course.

I'll try and be there. Look out for the pink and say hello.

roger_merriman

As am I, I'm hoping this is not critical mass lite but really if I don't feel happy I'll peal off.

keyser__soze

Stuck in a meeting until 6.30 otherwise I'd have popped along. Hope it's safe and the bad weather/wind doesn't affect things.

cyclingprop

So, Morpeth?

rjsterry

Got good coverage on the evening news - 2000 cyclists they claimed! Missed it myself due to work, but well done to those who made it.

roger_merriman

Seemed mostly to be fine, a few rent a mob but on the whole stuck to the brief. As to if it will do any good? Pass, was also nice to meet some of the bike radar lot.

Most seemed normal aka just commuters.

iPete

Coverage seems pretty good http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... 012/?t=12m glad the rain held off and good to see some BR faces out.

If 2000 turn up for a miserable tuesday, curious as to how many will turn up on April 20th!

veronese68

Glad it went well. I just went to a pub and thought of you, I think 9:30 was a bit late to head into town.

rjsterry

iPete wrote:

Coverage seems pretty good http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... 012/?t=12m glad the rain held off and good to see some BR faces out.

If 2000 turn up for a miserable tuesday, curious as to how many will turn up on April 20th!

n

And another piece on this morning's Breakfast, focusing on cycling in Amsterdam. Dare we think that this is the start of something? Will try and make the 20th April.

Koncordski

It was really good, very well marshalled as always including plenty of plod at junctions. Only one boombox on a bike that I could hear and otherwise everyone looked like they were on their way home. Interview clips on the news also very good, people just saying they want to be able to feel safe on the road. As an added bonus it upset lots of black cab drivers.

Edit, bad phone video. This was on the return leg through the square.
http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g2/Re ... G_1161.mp4

veronese68

April 20th. I'll put the date in my diary and make sure I can get there. It's a Friday so drinks in the Morpeth after I presume.

notsoblue

Really great turnout for the flash ride last night. Was good to see. And was nice to meet up with EKE and Roger.

I felt the cross section of people there was encouraging. Lots of pretty normal looking people who happen to ride bikes, rather than lycra clad deviants. And there was only one "special" guy with a boombox strapped to his back.

Bit concerned about some of the flyers being handed out though.

rick_chasey

notsoblue wrote:

Bit concerned about some of the flyers being handed out though.

Do tell.

spen666

vermin wrote:

Absolutely. The issue is in the Commons and is being debated by sensible people.......

I thought it was being debated by MP's - clearly not

phy2sll2

iPete wrote:

If 2000 turn up for a miserable tuesday, curious as to how many will turn up on April 20th!

What's on the 20th? There's something on the 28th, I think:

ibikelondon wrote:

If you haven't signed their petition yet please do so now, and block out Saturday April 28th in your diaries when - just one week before the Mayoral elections - they will be holding the biggest bicycle rally London has ever seen to demand action from our future Mayor.

notsoblue

Rick Chasey wrote:

notsoblue wrote:

Bit concerned about some of the flyers being handed out though.

Do tell.

Sorry, that should have been singular "flyer" rather than flyers... One was being handed out by "BikeAlive", more info about them here: http://bikesalive.wordpress.com/ They apparently organised a "Go Slow" at King's Cross on the 20th for "Cyclists, pedestrians & anybody in London actively resisting oppression by motor vehicle policy".

The flyer this chap was handing out had a line at the bottom which was tentatively trying to get support for more "militant" action. I've kept the flyer and will transcribe it later if people are interested. I don't like this approach much, and wouldn't want to be associated with that kind of action. I'll be keeping an eye out for it in future, and I'm even tempted to see what the LCC has to say about it. They'd do well to distance themselves.

Anyway, his sort was in the minority last night.

notsoblue

spen666 wrote:

vermin wrote:

Absolutely. The issue is in the Commons and is being debated by sensible people.......

I thought it was being debated by MP's - clearly NOT

FTFY

veronese68

notsoblue wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

notsoblue wrote:

Bit concerned about some of the flyers being handed out though.

Do tell.

Sorry, that should have been singular "flyer" rather than flyers... One was being handed out by "BikeAlive", more info about them here: http://bikesalive.wordpress.com/ They apparently organised a "Go Slow" at King's Cross on the 20th for "Cyclists, pedestrians & anybody in London actively resisting oppression by motor vehicle policy".

The flyer this chap was handing out had a line at the bottom which was tentatively trying to get support for more "militant" action. I've kept the flyer and will transcribe it later if people are interested. I don't like this approach much, and wouldn't want to be associated with that kind of action. I'll be keeping an eye out for it in future, and I'm even tempted to see what the LCC has to say about it. They'd do well to distance themselves.

Anyway, his sort was in the minority last night.

Not keen on things that get too militant. I don't think opposing motor vehicles is the way to go. Then the majority with cars will turn even more anti cyclists. Improving cycling facilities and giving them higher priority isn't the same as opposing motor vehicles.

rick_chasey

http://t.co/RsLxOwFH

Discussed in parliament now.

EKE_38BPM

Rick Chasey wrote:

http://t.co/RsLxOwFH

Discussed in parliament now.

Cheers for the link. I feel like I'm watching it on fast forward, they sure are rattling through.

Zoom

EKE_38BPM

25 mintes before first mention of RLJ

roger_merriman

notsoblue wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

notsoblue wrote:

Bit concerned about some of the flyers being handed out though.

Do tell.

Sorry, that should have been singular "flyer" rather than flyers... One was being handed out by "BikeAlive", more info about them here: http://bikesalive.wordpress.com/ They apparently organised a "Go Slow" at King's Cross on the 20th for "Cyclists, pedestrians & anybody in London actively resisting oppression by motor vehicle policy".

The flyer this chap was handing out had a line at the bottom which was tentatively trying to get support for more "militant" action. I've kept the flyer and will transcribe it later if people are interested. I don't like this approach much, and wouldn't want to be associated with that kind of action. I'll be keeping an eye out for it in future, and I'm even tempted to see what the LCC has to say about it. They'd do well to distance themselves.

Anyway, his sort was in the minority last night.

reading else where apparently the LCC blank, bikesalive, can't imagine why.....