[*BCM*] The movement that divides us

[Justin Wong]

"There isn't a major city in Europe that was designed and built with cars in
mind either."
 
Agreed, however most European countries have inflated gas prices. The
additional revenue from the gas sold is used to build public transportation
infrastructure and discourage consumption. Also, cars on average are much
smaller in Europe than U.S. cars. These are all social economic factors that
are much different then the environment we live in. Your comparison only
works in a vacuum. 

  _____  

From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of Anne
Wolfe
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 1:14 PM
To: Boston Critical Mass
Subject: RE: [*BCM*] The movement that divides us 


There isn't a major city in Europe that was designed and built with cars in
mind either.
 
If you ride better, it helps make it better for everyone.  If you drive
better, that also helps make it better for everyone.  As the song goes,
there may be clowns to the left, jokers to the right, but if you can rise
above it and be the better human being then you won't be just stuck in the
middle.  
 
The hard part of course is rising above it when you're tired, and your boss
has just chewed you out, and some idiot has double parked, it is raining and
some other idiot doesn't know what he's doing.  Again!  Still, that is
ultimately the best way of sticking it to the man.  It is hard to argue with
someone who's acting nobly and complying with the rules at the same time.

  _____  

From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
Justin Wong
Sent: 05 June 2006 18:10
To: 'Boston Critical Mass'
Subject: RE: [*BCM*] The movement that divides us 


I don't think it's realistic to compare Boston to other cities, particularly
European ones. Our city was not built with cars in mind, let alone cars and
bikes to share the road. We also have some of the countries worst drivers
here, this is reflected in the insurance rates. Perhaps we all could ride
better or drive better, but neither of those things will make the streets
any wider.

  _____  

From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of Anne
Wolfe
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 12:43 PM
To: Boston Critical Mass
Subject: RE: [*BCM*] The movement that divides us 


In Amsterdam it is the pretty simple fact that the Dutch ride bikes (op de
fiets).  Everyone does.  It is easy, and it is flat, and there are bike
lanes everywhere.  
As for the rest of it, there's nothing wrong with swerving to avoid danger.
If someone honks, they honk.  It doesn't mean you have to run a red light
(when no doubt the honker will be nowhere around to see it, or for you to
point out to him "that's because of you, that is."  So the two are just
unconnected acts.  
And personally, Lee, I love it when you wear the tight pants.  Don't ever
stop.

  _____  

From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of Lee
Peters
Sent: 05 June 2006 17:35
To: Boston Critical Mass
Subject: Re: [*BCM*] The movement that divides us 


Oh, really.  We get honked at for swerving to avoid sewer grates, avoiding
double parked cars, riding on the street, avoiding doors, avoiding potholes,
avoiding puddles, riding slower than cars, turning left, and wearing tight
pants.  Should we stop doing all of that too?
 
What produced the palpable core of respect for bikes and their riders in
Berlin and Amsterdam?  Let's do that.
 
 
 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Anne Wolfe <mailto:axw at michelmores.com>  
To: Boston Critical Mass <mailto:list at bostoncriticalmass.org>  
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 12:13 PM
Subject: RE: [*BCM*] The movement that divides us 

The eternal circle.  As the more you (and others) run the lights and are
disrespectful, the more you're going to get honked at, etc.  Someone has to
take the first step - why can't it be you?

  _____  

From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
Justin Wong
Sent: 05 June 2006 17:04
To: 'Boston Critical Mass'
Subject: RE: [*BCM*] The movement that divides us 


"As long as I'm getting honked at, told to get off the road, doored,
barnstormed, flipped off, and whatever, I'm going to run those goddamned
lights."

   ^^^ My sentiments exactly!

Justin



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