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Now 'we' are (nearly) five

(37 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by chdot
  • Latest reply from Instography

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12

  1. chdot
    Admin

    "

    CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment"."

    "

    That is certainly true. The main unknowns were - 'would anyone bother with it' and (if so) 'what sort of  people would it attract'?

    The first was helped by using the mailing list of http://CityCycling.co.uk. The second part was much more interesting. 

    Inevitably it started with people 'already interested in cycling'. There was an expectation (fear even) that it would be the 'usually suspects' - those already 'interested in cycle campaigning'. 

    But early on it was clear that CCE was attracting people who 'just happened to ride bikes' and were looking for 'a sense of community' or basic advice. 

    One early CCEer thought they might have to give up cycling for the winter. 'We' persuaded them otherwise. 

    CCE attracted people who cycled to work (some quite long distances, who built up expertise on dealing with 'weather', reliable equipment etc.)

    But unlike the normal (image of) 'cyclists' they also have cars so cycle for reasons beyond 'saving the planet' - exercise, health (mental and physical), rational and economical way of getting around, etc. 

    So five years of advice and support - given (largely) in a friendly, non-judgemental, fashion. 

    But what of the future?

    More of the same?

    I've resisted (very occasional) calls for something better than BBPress (I haven't even upgraded to version 2 which might be better/offer more!)

    Maybe it's time for a new header photo(?) 

    CCE isn't an 'organisation' - and I doubt if many CCEers would want it be. It (well CCEers obviously) helped PoP happen - and thrive. 

    It has 'institutionalised' PY - no-one has found anything 'better'!

    CCEers aren't generally interesting in 'sport' but a small number have been introduced to, and joined in with, the Audax 'movement'. 

    Just one of the unpredicted outcomes of CCE!

    If it didn't exist, I don't know if anyone would start anything similar now. Facebook is still ruling and Twitter has come along as a useful 'tool'. 

    CCE continues as a mix of useful, helpful, odd and (occasional) OT. 

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    CCE I find is a very useful "fault" finding/sharing/rectification service when it comes to bits of cycle infrastructure. People seem to adopt their own "pet" bits of path (those they cycle regularly) and do the donkey work of Clarencing, emailing the council/councillors etc. and generally for small but positive gains. Many such small gains all over the city translate to one, wider gain for all. It's not that these things wouldn't happen without CCE, it's just they are better coordinated and publicised through it.

    It's a far better news service than the Evening News or any local alternatives on important matters such as when bits of new path are opening or planning applications that might affect (positively or otherwise) cycling matters. Even if it's just sharing the hard work of Spokes or other individuals to a wider audience.

    It's a wealth of free, expert knowledge on a range of legal, planning, governmental, engineering, public transport and bike bodging matters. Gardening, preserve-making, car tinkering are amongst many of the other subjects available.

    It has an [un?]healthy interest in heritage, mainly (but not restricted to) Edinburgh, particularly railways and industry. I may be guilty of encouraging a lot of this.

    But the main thing is that people (generally) rub along in a polite manner and (usually) resolve any differences in a civil way. After all, despite any differences of opinion or politics, I don't think anyone invests time and effort on the site for any other reason than wanting cycling in Edinburgh and/or Scotland to be better. Much better.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I love the knit-your-own-subversion aspect of CCE. The forum is populated with bankers, lawyers, municipal administrators, academics, programmers, managers and all sorts but the overall effect is still strongly counter-cultural in that we all do two things that go against the grain of modern life;

    * we travel under our own steam
    * we have formed a community

    Virtually no rules and no hierarchy - every idea or suggestion stands or falls on its merits. CityCyclingEdinburgh is, to my mind, as close as I'm likely to get to an Enlightenment salon. (Though a salon attended by people in rain-aprons and tin-foil socks.)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. SRD
    Moderator

    "It's not that these things wouldn't happen without CCE, it's just they are better coordinated and publicised through it."

    I disagree. Maybe some of you would still do these things, but it is your example that has spurred me on - to be more considerate when I cycle, to report faults, and to work for substantive improvements in our infra.

    Thanks guys!

    (Can't believe I joined only 2 months after it was formed! Seemed like a ready-made community at the time)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. amir
    Member

    Community is really important. As a cycle commuter it can feel like it's you against the rest of the (mad) world.

    When I joined (>4 years ago), there was a big hole in the "market". The spokes forum had just died and other fora were not local enough. A great feature of this forum is that you can meet and "spot" others in real life and even going cycling with them.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. amir
    Member

    So big vote of thanks to chdot!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. cb
    Member

    "I've resisted (very occasional) calls for something better than BBPress"

    I've grown rather fond of it. It's not brash and in-your-face; it doesn't draw attention when browsing at work (as now).

    The hosting solution sucks sometimes. But when it all works one tends to forget about that (until the next time).

    "Maybe it's time for a new header photo(?)"

    Yeah, why the hell not?!

    And how about changing the Flickr link photo on the right hand pane? Bl**dy pavement cyclists.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    So big vote of thanks to chdot

    Seconded. Or should I say hear hear?

    Now where did I leave my tin foil socks?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Now where did I leave my tin foil socks?

    For the avoidance of doubt, those words were written with the greatest fondness on my part.

    And big up to chdot.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    "And how about changing the Flickr link photo on the right hand pane? Bl**dy pavement cyclists."

    I humbly propose a photo of @wingpig and child from the last PoP as the replacement. Many hearts melted.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. fimm
    Member

    Happy Birthday to 'us',
    Happy Birthday to 'us',
    Happy BIRTHDAY CCE-E,
    Happy Brithday to 'us'.

    :-)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. sallyhinch
    Member

    POP would have been extremely difficult to organise without CCE (actually it is still pretty difficult but at least not impossible). CCE is the only cycling forum I frequent regularly despite not living in Edinburgh.

    If I had a request it would be make it more usable on mobile and have it handle PMs a bit better (it would be nice if it emailed the message rather than just telling you someone has sent you a message as I usually get the email on my phone and then have to either fire up the laptop to find out what it is or else spend a lot of time squinting at the teeny tiny site on my phone). But that's just a counsel for perfection. The main thing is it is peopled by the mostly sane and I think that's down to a lot of hard and almost invisible work by chdot

    Posted 10 years ago #

  13. cb
    Member

    Previous birthdays:

    4:
    "CC @ 4"

    3:
    "Now we are three"

    1:
    "Now we are (nearly) one"

    Couldn't find a anything for the 2nd birthday, but there is still a consistent trend to chdot's naming for these threads.

    And quoting fimm from last year's thread:

    "Happy Birthday to you!
    Happy Birthday to you!
    Happy Birthday CCE!
    Happy Birthday to you!"

    You clearly feel even more included this year given you changed "you" to "us".

    Posted 10 years ago #

  14. Min
    Member

    Yes indeed, happy birthday to us and thank you to Chdot!

    Don't forget about the Amazon link over there
    <--- to hopefully send a few pennies his way.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  15. Nelly
    Member

    CCE and the Guardian are the first things I look at in the morning, dont get as much chance to contribute during the day these days, but still compulsive viewing and the best repository of info / detail on biking/edinburgh/any other subject really !

    Nice to be part of something where you have met a fair few of the people involved.

    I cant remember when I joined, must be 3+ years?

    Still cant work out how chdot manages to do it all.
    Lastly, as my use of Amazon is incredibly infrequent, I often feel embarrassed at not contributing to running costs.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  16. Min
    Member

    Oh mine is too but I thought it was worth a mention anyway. :-)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  17. fimm
    Member

    LOL, I obviously don't have anything more useful to contribute to birthday threads than singing "Happy Birthday"!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  18. sallyhinch
    Member

    oh durr, just bought something expensive on Amazon and never even thought about using the link on here. Sorry!! Well reminded, Min

    Posted 10 years ago #

  19. Morningsider
    Member

    Happy birthday CCE! Many thanks to our illustrious admin, chdot.

    It's been a vintage year - the referendum thread, PoP3, chicanes and erm...The Cycle Network...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  20. jdanielp
    Member

    More thanks to chdot and everyone else that makes this a great forum to be involved with. I have only been active for around a year, although I did lurk on and off for a while a few years ago before forgetting about the site. In any case I'm glad that I found it again since it has been really quite helpful in improving my understanding and appreciation of cycling while getting to know other like-minded people, despite the fact I have yet to make it to an actual organised meet-up! (other than the PoP)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  21. SRD
    Moderator

    That *is* such a great photo. :)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  22. Diarmid
    Member

    Happy Birthday indeed.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  23. Min
    Member

    That *is* such a great photo. :)

    I guess it is our equivalent of the Athena Baby photo. ;-)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  24. Min
    Member

    I thought I remembered taking a very similar photo. ;-)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  25. Min
    Member

    Why can't I upload the blasted photo? It is stupid Flickr.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  26. chdot
    Admin

    Cos links don't work in IMG tags

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/55325383@N02/15311392089/player

    Posted 10 years ago #

  27. chdot
    Admin

    "I thought I remembered taking a very similar photo"

    It's all about timing...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  28. SRD
    Moderator

    I like min's too :)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  29. Min
    Member

    YEEESSS! Take that technology!

    (For those reading some time after the fact, it has just taken me half an hour to embed the photo. )

    I like min's too :)

    I have a "proper" one but was dead chuffed to find that one too! :-D

    Posted 10 years ago #

  30. Min
    Member

    Lol, I have just realised you put the photo up properly SRD. Thanks!

    And sorry for spamming the thread..

    Posted 10 years ago #

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