CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: POP2013

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: POP2013 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: POP2013 en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:05:22 +0000 lionfish on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68103 Tue, 01 May 2012 11:11:54 +0000 lionfish 68103@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ crowriver: Yeah, but still: April's famous for rain anyway, isn't it? Anyway, the variance around those means is huge, so it was a little pointless anyway. Never mind! crowriver on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68098 Tue, 01 May 2012 11:03:45 +0000 crowriver 68098@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ to my surprise (and slight disbelief) it suggests April is actually the least rainy month! Not this year it wasn't. "April is the wettest month for 100 years It has been the wettest April in the UK for over 100 years, with some areas seeing three times their usual average, figures from the Met Office show." <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17897982" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17897982</a> Eastern Scotland had twice the average rainfall for this time of year. lionfish on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68088 Tue, 01 May 2012 10:40:24 +0000 lionfish 68088@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I think I'm with Its_Me_Knees that simple works! Thought: Maybe it's because I wasn't able to actually be at POP (bit bitter!), but I'd love to see it again in 2012 - The Budapest model of twice a year (April/September) might be a good one to copy. Their ride grew each time too, which gives me hope! Their first ride in Sept 2004 had 4,000 cyclists, then in April 2005: 10,000, Sept 2005: 20,000,... by 2008 there were up to 80,000 cyclists! (what?!) - that might be a little ambitious for a ride in Edinburgh! But maybe having it twice a year keeps it visible, keeps up the pressure and helps it grow? The two main concerns I have are: 1. 'fatigue', both of the participants and of the organisers. 2. there's more pressure, e.g. if the number drops from last time (e.g. bad weather etc). On the other hand: I'm surprised by the number of people who didn't know about it (and said they would have gone if I they had). Surprisingly far more publicity is still needed. I wonder if, after the last one, media organisations will be more willing to report (and therefore indirectly publicise) the event. It_me_knees: I was also not really very involved this time (just postering etc) but next time I'm very happy to dedicate a lot of time and effort to it, [as long as it happens before I leave Edinburgh]. PS Random thought about which months to have it: I was looking at the amount of rainfall in Edinburgh (monthly averages) here: <a href="http://www.rbge.org.uk/science/plants-and-climate-change/edinburgh-weather-station" rel="nofollow">http://www.rbge.org.uk/science/plants-and-climate-change/edinburgh-weather-station</a> and to my surprise (and slight disbelief) it suggests April is actually the least rainy month! Month mm of rain Jan 66 Feb 49 March 53 April 40 <<< May 49 June 59 July 62 Aug 62 Sept 63 Oct 79 Nov 64 Dec 63 Its_Me_Knees on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68055 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:36:04 +0000 Its_Me_Knees 68055@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Back on topic... I can see the appeal of several feeder rides into one central point, but can I offer one thought: Keep It Simple. The more complicated the event, the more difficult it will be to organise and the more people will be confused and/or discouraged. The beauty of POP last Saturday was it's relative simplicity. Bunch of people turn up at point 'A' and cycle to point 'B'. In some smaller conurbations a multi-feeder event could end up with more feeder routes and marshalls than participants. All the best parties I ever went to at Uni were crowded, single room affairs. POP2013 (Edinburgh) should be the same again... rather than try to make the structure radically different, lets* concentrate (in Edinburgh) on doing what was done last time, only better... more publicity, stronger media coverage, leading to a bigger event. And then let's encourage other cities/towns to have similar events on the same day. Keeps it simple, keeps it local. [*I'm painfully aware than I am sounding like someone who was in the vanguard of last Saturday's organisation (which I wasn't) and who has ideas of using POP to take over the world ...or at least the Meadows... as a sop to his own megalomaniac ambitions (which I don't...mostly). But I'm willing to lend a hand next time around...I do like a nicely turned out tabard....] crowriver on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68045 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:40:26 +0000 crowriver 68045@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Should stick wherever possible to original sources. I quoted from my paperback edition of The Wheels of Chance, published 1984. wee folding bike on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68035 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:14:32 +0000 wee folding bike 68035@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ From Wells entry in wiki: No longer able to support themselves financially, the family instead sought to place their sons as apprentices in various occupations. From 1880 to 1883, Wells had an unhappy apprenticeship as a draper at the Southsea Drapery Emporium, Hyde's.[8] His experiences at Hyde's, where he worked a thirteen hour day and slept in a dormitory with other apprentices,[6] were later used as inspiration for some of his novel material The Wheels of Chance and Kipps,[9] which delve into the life of a draper's apprentice as well as providing a critique of the world's distribution of wealth. gembo on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68031 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:06:43 +0000 gembo 68031@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Kipps also a draper, I am sensing some wiki-confusion unless HG obsessed with drapers. Should stick wherever possible to original sources. wee folding bike on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68028 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:53:41 +0000 wee folding bike 68028@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ You can get Wheels of Chance from Guttenburg and read it on the electronic device of your choice. Kipps might be available too but I read it years ago on tree based media. crowriver on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68026 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:48:38 +0000 crowriver 68026@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Mr. Hoopdriver was "an ill-paid draper's assistant in the establishment of Antrobus and Co. in Putney High Street' (1). A humble man, who cycled during his annual summer holiday. 1 - Bergonzi, B. Introduction to Wells, H.G. 'The Wheels of Chance', 1984, p.vi wee folding bike on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68023 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:40:20 +0000 wee folding bike 68023@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ There was also Mr Hoopdriver in Wheels of Chance. Kipps was the basis for Half a Sixpence with Tommy Steele. gembo on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68020 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:23:40 +0000 gembo 68020@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Kipps A simple soul Though I appear to have trusted a précis in the guardian rather than reading the book, given the synopsis on wiki. Kipps run down by a playwright on a bicycle called chitterlow following a POP meeting in the pub gembo on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330&page=2#post-68017 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:16:16 +0000 gembo 68017@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Ah now WFB what was the HG Wells character called who escaped his humdrum life as a poor shop assistant by cycling in the south downs on a Saturday afternoon? wee folding bike on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-68014 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:13:45 +0000 wee folding bike 68014@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ In the 1890s cycling was a pursuit for the wealthy. If you want to get the attention of those in power it always helps to be wealthy. chdot on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-68013 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:13:36 +0000 chdot 68013@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ " When cycling kicked off in the 1890s my reading of the scenario was that there was an ongoing momentum similar to what POP has tapped into/created now??? " Suspect the riders then moved on cars when they became available. gembo on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-68011 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:10:08 +0000 gembo 68011@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ The model of mass participation is very attention grabbing and does what it says on the tin. Following this up via meetings with politicians is important as is extending the model elsewhere. The critical mass model is also good at providing a regular reminder tho the polis don't like the 'impromptu' nature of the rides. if we all met every sunny Saturday at MMW and cycled in convoy to parliament would this lose impact - law of diminishing returns or would it mean politicians couldn't absorb our protest into their machine? could other groups sustain the momentum in other burghs? When cycling kicked off in the 1890s my reading of the scenario was that there was an ongoing momentum similar to what POP has tapped into/created now??? chdot on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-68009 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:06:10 +0000 chdot 68009@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "I would imagine finding ride leaders/marshalls from amongst their members might not be a Herculean task." That would be good. crowriver on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-68006 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:01:53 +0000 crowriver 68006@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ The great thing is that there's a national organisation which is up for a bit of campaigning on occasion, and whose members have lots of experience organising group rides: CTC. There are the numerous local cycling clubs too. I would imagine finding ride leaders/marshalls from amongst their members might not be a Herculean task. chdot on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-68004 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:54:38 +0000 chdot 68004@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Done in different places on the same day it would be local and national. Destinations and routes would be decided locally by campaign groups - or even councils. chdot on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-68003 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:47:56 +0000 chdot 68003@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Sounds ambitious - but not ridiculously so. So that's Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Perth and Stirling. If we add other places for a geographical spread, perhaps Dumfries and somewhere in the Borders. Edinburgh could perhaps encourage rides from places like Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Livingston and Dumfermline. Should involve Sustrans too to highlight the routes they have - or would like to. Might encourage some local authorities to improve some cycling 'corridors'. Maybe Cycling Scotland - or the SG - could come up with some cash. POP could become Pedal On Power - places where decisions are made. Open Door?? David Martin on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-68001 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:28:43 +0000 David Martin 68001@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Looking at this, we should be able to get between three to six feeder rides that travel in radially to every major town or city in Scotland. It will take coordination between organisations such as CTC, Living Streets and the local cycle campaigning groups. David Martin on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67974 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:45:37 +0000 David Martin 67974@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I'm not sure a relay would have the same effect. A feeder ride from every major park in the city to the city centre, with outriders to ensure safety in numbers would be great. Time to start planning for next year to get it coordinated all around Scotland. Smudge on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67967 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:29:49 +0000 Smudge 67967@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "Test the rail network capacity for bikes to breaking point? " That happens every weekday morning doesn't it? :-( crowriver on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67962 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:02:22 +0000 crowriver 67962@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Sounds like a 'chain ride' or 'relay ride'. Could be the kind of thing that CTC branches would be interested in... steveo on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67961 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:01:48 +0000 steveo 67961@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I like that idea, kind of like the Torch Relay but with a peloton instead of an individual torch bearer. ExcitableBoy on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67957 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:58:24 +0000 ExcitableBoy 67957@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I was having the seed of an idea last night and it may be useless, but it would be nice to give people all over Scotland the chance to become involved. So maybe we could arrange a ride that went all over Scotland, starting and ending in Edinburgh. Then local groups could join in as it passed their way. It could maybe involve the passing on of a camera so that people could express their desires, frustrations etc, document good and bad cycling infrastucture etc. I'm not sure if it's clear from above that no one person would cycle the whole way, but local people would move it on from town to town, city to city. spytfyre on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67929 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:38:23 +0000 spytfyre 67929@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ @crowriver - kind of why I made the point. Cue a few hundred cyclists standing in a railway station... Wait would that be Critical Mass? Or would it be CM if we all threw them on the roof bars then drove over the bridge at cycling speeds? With people on the bikes... POC - nice acronym - Have you POC'd anyone today? crowriver on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67928 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:37:28 +0000 crowriver 67928@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ @Instography, David Martin, isn't Fife Council HQ in Glenrothes? Not the most cycle-friendly place, despite the reasonable network of on/off road cycle paths. New town, designed around motor vehicles... Come to think of it the perfect place to host a POC (Pedal on Council) event! :-) crowriver on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67927 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:34:30 +0000 crowriver 67927@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Test the rail network capacity for bikes to breaking point? Wouldn't take much! Not necessarily a great idea either... David Martin on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67926 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:32:19 +0000 David Martin 67926@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ A fair bunch of North Fifers commute over the Tay Bridge into Dundee, and there are many who commute St Andrews-Dundee as well. Maybe a pedal/walk on your local administrative centre of choice next year - is there a suitable anniversary when we can maximise turnout? Instography on "POP2013" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6330#post-67923 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:21:39 +0000 Instography 67923@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Maybe with POP CCE is outgrowing the E. City Cycling has a nice ring to it. I'm reluctantly facing up to the need to do something with Fife. There's a few Fifers. Presumably most of us cycle to and in Edinburgh but also cycle around Fife. Maybe we should start nicking all the Edinburgh ideas and seeing what we can apply to our own towns and villages.