Bike month: WTF have we learned?
It has been a long month indeed, and here at the end, I am putting up the briefest of updates, as my attention has moved towards actively participating in WNBR NYC, which happens on June 12, an international movement of missions, methods, and structure as CM. Please consider joining me and other participants in creating the streets and the world we dream is possible.
As far as the streets that we have right now, there are great things happening, but there is still plenty to be desired. Last month's fizzled "bomb" in Time's Square created the intended fear in the populace, resulting in many somethings seen and somethings said to the authorities. Many a refrigerator, oddly-painted concept car, and red-backpack-containing-slippers were found in various places of possible significance and safely inspected, smashed, or detonated by the NYPD.
Now, I am of course tempted to brag about how many amazing rides put on by our diverse community succeeded in this month of bikes, as more people took to two wheels and experienced the freedom of getting around by bike, the sort freedom that the "terrorists" hate so much. It may be that this freedom is a result of NYPD failing to enforce traffic laws with any sort of consistency, but more likely it is a result of using a simple, sensible machine that allows for more exposure to the lovely urban landscape and a connectedness to its other inhabitants.
Due to the nature of this blog, I can't make much mention of a fun, positive, spontaneous and participatory ride on the first Friday of the month, nor could I discuss eating burritos by the East River on Cinco de Mayo con cyclistas, and especially not any glamorous dance bike rides. I really can't go into detail about how many parrots, biking families, nor delicious flavors of icy and roti sampled in Ditmas Park. There may have been bike jumbles, and bike fetishes, but they did not require much law enforcement that I know of. There will be no discussion of touring LES gardens dressed up like veggies to raise awareness of the potential threat of development by the city, or rambunctious rides with many little dogs in baskets. Freegan bike field-days and vegan bike-picnics, bike-washes, bike punk shows, future-greenway rides and playing hookey to hit the beach could were not "actionable intelligence" nor "credible threats." And the thousands of people biking to work for a day, or a week, or even the whole month? The fevered dreams of madmen, as far as NYPD is concerned!
So, where were those noble men and women who have taken so well to taking order from above so that those of us below might remain "safe"? The masses of them spent the whole month in Time's Square it would seem. Admittedly, a huge turnout of over a hundred cyclists to the Central Park Moonlight ride did attract a lone NYPD interceptor, which cut a dance party in the echoing halls of Bethesda Terrace.
NYPD apparently is approaching people on bicycles with the assumption that 3 or more constitute an unlawful assembly.
I heard a rumor that Staten Island CM is re-branding to be the Staten Island Ride or something. Its a pity that the only CM game in town that has consistently received positive reviews from local powers-that-be has to ditch the classic name loaded down with so much negative publicity, but I guess it is good to quit while ahead.
As far as the streets that we have right now, there are great things happening, but there is still plenty to be desired. Last month's fizzled "bomb" in Time's Square created the intended fear in the populace, resulting in many somethings seen and somethings said to the authorities. Many a refrigerator, oddly-painted concept car, and red-backpack-containing-slippers were found in various places of possible significance and safely inspected, smashed, or detonated by the NYPD.
Now, I am of course tempted to brag about how many amazing rides put on by our diverse community succeeded in this month of bikes, as more people took to two wheels and experienced the freedom of getting around by bike, the sort freedom that the "terrorists" hate so much. It may be that this freedom is a result of NYPD failing to enforce traffic laws with any sort of consistency, but more likely it is a result of using a simple, sensible machine that allows for more exposure to the lovely urban landscape and a connectedness to its other inhabitants.
Due to the nature of this blog, I can't make much mention of a fun, positive, spontaneous and participatory ride on the first Friday of the month, nor could I discuss eating burritos by the East River on Cinco de Mayo con cyclistas, and especially not any glamorous dance bike rides. I really can't go into detail about how many parrots, biking families, nor delicious flavors of icy and roti sampled in Ditmas Park. There may have been bike jumbles, and bike fetishes, but they did not require much law enforcement that I know of. There will be no discussion of touring LES gardens dressed up like veggies to raise awareness of the potential threat of development by the city, or rambunctious rides with many little dogs in baskets. Freegan bike field-days and vegan bike-picnics, bike-washes, bike punk shows, future-greenway rides and playing hookey to hit the beach could were not "actionable intelligence" nor "credible threats." And the thousands of people biking to work for a day, or a week, or even the whole month? The fevered dreams of madmen, as far as NYPD is concerned!
So, where were those noble men and women who have taken so well to taking order from above so that those of us below might remain "safe"? The masses of them spent the whole month in Time's Square it would seem. Admittedly, a huge turnout of over a hundred cyclists to the Central Park Moonlight ride did attract a lone NYPD interceptor, which cut a dance party in the echoing halls of Bethesda Terrace.
NYPD apparently is approaching people on bicycles with the assumption that 3 or more constitute an unlawful assembly.
I heard a rumor that Staten Island CM is re-branding to be the Staten Island Ride or something. Its a pity that the only CM game in town that has consistently received positive reviews from local powers-that-be has to ditch the classic name loaded down with so much negative publicity, but I guess it is good to quit while ahead.
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