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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>There is one available that swings back as
you describe. I bought one in Australia and another in Europe but they are not
big enough and don’t go far enough out. With the fiberglass pole you can
customize it to how long you want it to be. What is a comfortable distance
that you want the flag to be out from your bike on the end of the pole? You
can experiment. Too long and I think it will make Boston drivers even more
angry and gun their engines even more. Too short and they’ll still come
too close and fast. Go a bit longer and see how that works; you can always
just slide the pole to the right and figure what works best. When I pull up on
the sidewalk if the street is dangerous, I just reach back and slide it out of
the way. It just works so well. And runners coming towards me know I see
them and will be courteous as I pass because they’ve seen me move the
flag aside. I swear all cyclist in Boston should use this. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
bostoncriticalmass-bounces@bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces@bostoncriticalmass.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Charvak Karpe<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:38
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> list@bostoncriticalmass.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [*BCM*] safety zone
pole</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I thought of the pole thing too--I guess I'm not the only one. I
envisioned one that can swivel backwards easily so I can squeeze in between
cars, but has a bit more resistance flexing forward. It could have
an orange flag and zirconium oxide on the tip, protected on the front, but
exposed on the back. That would only work if it were sold in bulk so that
people would know that it's a bad idea to hit it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>On a separate note, what do people think about the new "no trucks
or buses in left lane" sign on the Longfellow? Does anyone know
why it's there? The shoulder (having pictures of bikes doesn't make a
shoulder a bike lane) there is usually covered in salt and debris,
leaving little room for me and a truck in the right lane. Now, I'm
tempted to just ride in the left lane because the trucks have all moved into my
lane. The DCR has been doing a decent job sweeping the bridge
on a regular basis, since I called them a few months ago, but it gets dirty in
a day. They also filled in the various potholes within a few
weeks. Did someone call them to have it done?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Charvak<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<br>
------------------------------<br>
<br>
Message: 4<br>
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 04:47:00 -0800 (PST)<br>
From: Jon Ramos <<a href="mailto:jontramos@yahoo.com">jontramos@yahoo.com</a>><br>
Subject: Re: [*BCM*] StreetTalk with <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Portland</st1:place></st1:City>'s
Roger Geller...<br>
To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Boston Critical Mass</st1:PersonName> <<a
href="mailto:list@bostoncriticalmass.org">list@bostoncriticalmass.org</a>><br>
Message-ID: <<a href="mailto:821296.7895.qm@web50005.mail.re2.yahoo.com">821296.7895.qm@web50005.mail.re2.yahoo.com</a>><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"<br>
<br>
How about a sign that says "Only pass me if it is SAFE" I have
thought about writing that in large letters on my bike bag, but by the time the
driver is close enough to read it, they are already too close for comfort.<br>
<br>
I have also thought about some kind of a pole that extends perpendicular off of
my bike the left about two feet. This would prevent a driver from passing
too close... It would have to be reflective so that it can be easily seen,
and also snap away easily in case it does get hit (so that it won't take you
down with it) maybe the pole could have a sign on it... hmmm<br>
<br>
- Jon<br>
<br>
Message: 5<br>
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 09:03:27 -0500<br>
From: "Basil Sharpe" <<a
href="mailto:bsharpe@redcoatpublishing.com">bsharpe@redcoatpublishing.com</a>><br>
Subject: Re: [*BCM*] StreetTalk with Portland's Roger Geller...<br>
To: "<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Boston Critical Mass</st1:PersonName>"
<<a href="mailto:list@bostoncriticalmass.org">list@bostoncriticalmass.org</a>><br>
Message-ID:<br>
<<a
href="mailto:DB70CDE45BF3D843AB3C23B35BC0886BB94F59@CHI.redcoatpublishing.com">DB70CDE45BF3D843AB3C23B35BC0886BB94F59@CHI.redcoatpublishing.com</a>><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"<br>
<br>
Hi Jon,<br>
<br>
I use a pole like you speak of with a flag on the end. I have
a<br>
Carridice saddle bag where I put all my junk. This bag straps to the<br>
saddle bag loops on the saddle/. The flag pole just fits between the<br>
saddle loops inside the two saddlebag straps through the loops. The<br>
neat thing is that if you do it this way, the flag pole can extend out<br>
towards the cars who come too close or if you're on a bike path or<br>
around people it can slide back in out of the way. I love it and feel<br>
it does keep the cars just a bit more away from me. You can find the<br>
poles and flags on <a href="http://buggylights.com/" target="_blank">Buggylights.com</a>.
I'f you don't use a saddlebag,<br>
hopefully your saddle has saddlebag loops so just strap the pole to<br>
those. The pole is fiberglass so it's a bit flexible so it wont take<br>
you down. The pole will come too long so just cut it down to where<br>
you're comfortable with it-mine is maybe 3 feet and the carridice bag is<br>
maybe 12 or 15 inches wide-so it's a nice set up. The pole comes with a<br>
rubber protector on end just past the flag so that if you get too close<br>
to a car and forget to slide the flag back out of the way you wont<br>
scratch some guy's dear and precious Lexus. Hope that helps<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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