CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Streetfighting the Transport Committee

(12 posts)
  • Started 7 years ago by Stickman
  • Latest reply from Fountainbridge

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  1. Stickman
    Member

    So today I received my copy of Janette Sadik-Khan's superb "Streetfight" about her work in transforming New York.

    It's absolutely essential reading. I skipped straight to the chapter about opposition to bike lanes, and it's like a playbook for what the Roseburn crowd are doing.

    So here's a thought. How about a mini-crowdfunder to send a copy to each member of the Transport Committee? I've already decided to send my copy to Frank Ross after I've finished it.

    Could even try and make a publicity thing of it: turning up at the city chambers with a pile of books, explaining that it tells how NY faced the exact same objections as here etc.

    If it's a bad idea let me know; maybe I'm just caught up with the book.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  2. Rosie
    Member

    I want to get that book. I suppose I'll have to fork out on Amazon as I can't see the library getting a copy.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  3. SRD
    Moderator

    doesn't spokes have a resource library?

    we used to have a CCE library housed at laidback's; don't know if anything's still there?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  4. Rosie
    Member

    @SRD - good point. I'll enquire.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  5. ih
    Member

    @Stickman Nice idea, but do you honestly think Ross and the transport committee members would read it? Better to crowdsource a copy for me, who would read it.
    7
    Seriously, maybe delivering to them some choice quotes from JS-K's book, and also that quote frome Gilligan about the opposition in London, and I'm sure you guys know lots of other examples where fierce opposition to a liveable space scheme has been proved absolutely wrong.

    I would also recommend from the opposite angle the Caro biography of Robert Moses, the park and transport supremo in New York from 1920s to 1960s. He was a fiend for promotion of private car driving, and however many freeways and parkways he built (ruining many neighbourhoods in the process) they just got filled with nose to tail cars.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  6. Rosie
    Member

    @ih Robert Moses is the villain in The Life and Death of American Cities

    Posted 7 years ago #
  7. Rosie
    Member

    JS-K is a great hero of mine. She goes about the world talking about cycling. I don't think she's been to Edinburgh - maybe London?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  8. Stickman
    Member

    @ih - yeah, you're probably right. I'll lend you my copy when I'm done (which at this rate won't be long)

    First chapter of Streetfight covers Moses and Jane Jacobs.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  9. chdot
    Admin

    Well she's ridden a 'Boris bike' (but perhaps not in London)

    http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/11/cycling-fights-new-york-mean-streets-janette-sadik-khan

    Posted 7 years ago #
  10. crowriver
    Member

    I'm sure the good folks at Spokes would appreciate a donation of a copy.

    If you're going to send it to a councillor, maybe Lesley Hinds or Andrew Burns would be the immediate tactical choices? Frank Ross could be council leader after 2017, but by then the Battle Of Roseburn will have already been fought, and won/lost.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  11. LaidBack
    Member

    "we used to have a CCE library housed at laidback's; don't know if anything's still there?"

    The bookshelf is still there with many donated / lent items. But being in a shop that doesn't sell standard stuff and only opens at 5 - 6.30pm and Saturdays means it's use is restricted. That and the fact the shop is often overfull with assorted bikes.

    (SRD - I have the other book on SA at shop for you)

    Posted 7 years ago #
  12. Fountainbridge
    Member

    How about a copy for Adam McVey? I'm guessing if Lesley is voted in as an MSP that Adam will take over.

    Given that aint likely to happen it's probable Adam will take over transport in 2017 (?)

    Posted 7 years ago #

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