I only happened on that thought on Wednesday before the marshal meet in Diggers: it is insane and absurd and embarrassing that we have to organise a group of experienced riders to escort families and novice cyclists on such a short journey. If POP had been about another issue and if Edinburgh was a Model Cycling City, everyone could have just gone out the door and turned up.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
#POP28 - so what do 'we' think?
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Posted 13 years ago #
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Incredible. I've just got back from my trip to England - I can't say how frustrating it is to have missed this. If the next one happens before ~April 2013 I'll be very happy to do a LOT of organising for it!
I remember reading about the Netherlands' cycle campaigns from ~30 years ago. Their country changed with mass protests, similar to this one. I hope the same change will happen here!
I also hope my flyering/postering helped a bit (at least offset the fact I couldn't go!).
I was wondering all weekend how it was going/went. I never imagined it would be so big. That photo of MMW is really incredible. I know I'm going to get questions for the rest of the week from all my non-cycling colleagues!
Posted 13 years ago # -
As a relatively newcomer to cycling....
Highlights for me was getting out and talking to other cyclists in the weeks before the event, so many hadn't heard of the campaign, many more had their own story to tell of close call on the roads. For the majority there was a sense of relief that they weren't alone, that there were other people 'like them' who wanted things to change.
People were relieved there were Feeder Rides - the one in Leith, had people who hadn't been on bikes in months, others who were too scared to go on the road, we even had an MP Mark Lazarowicz who joined us :)
I feel buzzed - what am I going to do now there's no flyering to be done??
Fantastic turn out! Well done all.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I have to admit I really don't like Star Wars…
Raise shields.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'll restate the obvious mainly because it bears repeating. Great day, well organised, can we do it again next week, if it is sunny but windy go down to the parliament it will be warm.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Wonderful wonderful day. Well done to all the organisers, especially on their persistance in publicising and persuading the 3000+ to attend.
The impact of this event should be repay in future events - the media will hopefully be much more alert to the fact that cycling is both positive and popular and thus there will be even better coverage.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'm still on a high after Saturday. While I still feel like this I'm tempted to try to find out how easy it would be for the sustainable transport person at CEC to liaise with the roads dept to get properly positioned dropped kerbs included in road works. So much cycling budget money must be wasted on putting right what could have been done right in the first place if we had joined up government.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"So much cycling budget money must be wasted on putting right what could have been done right in the first place if we had joined up government."
Ever thus.
I would wait 'til next to see who (individually and collectively) are the democratically elected representatives/lleaders.
Before then, start a list - and a new thread...
Posted 13 years ago # -
This was Critical Mass on Crack. As someone said to me it was a good feeling heading along George IV bridge up to the high street both of us with tagalongs and the freedom of not having to be 'on edge'.
I don't see why we don't all just join in with the CM folks every month.
One person commented to this on facebook it is because CM tend to be more confrontational... realistically we weren't going any faster than they do (I say 'they' because I've only been along once) and is it really confrontational just to ride your bike along with a group of others?
Take the road back, once a month, put "bike" into the brains of more drivers/councillors/politicians more often until there is no more need and the roads are safe for kids to take the bike along without parents hearts in their throats and a blood pressure of astronomical proportion...
As Tom said - I'm still on a high, my wee lad's first ever protest and it was on a bike. He got to high five his school pal while freewheeling down the high (five) street (see what I did there). But the ride home was the heart pounding "oh god we've not got the coppers with us" again...Posted 13 years ago # -
@Tom, not so much joined up politics but more joined up utilities would be good. Often the newly resurfaced road is dug up a matter of weeks if not days after being laid for repairs of one kind or another. The companies are also not very good at leaving the road in an acceptable state thereafter. I did hear something about the utility companies do the best part of the job and leave the finishing off to the council, if this is the case, you would think with the years of practice they have they could get it right!
Posted 13 years ago # -
I don't see why we don't all just join in with the CM folks every month.
Not alway possible. Effectively POP was this month's Critical Mass (officially the evening before, but it was raining, etc.). I don't often get the opportunity to go as I am usually working on a Friday, but May should be different. See you at the foot of the Mound at 5.30pm on 25 May then?
Posted 13 years ago # -
CM has a bad image - I've never been, although I had a flatmate who used to go. Reports of trouble with the police, etc.
How many kids are there at CM on an average month?
Posted 13 years ago # -
Other viewpoints on Critical Mass are available:
Posted 13 years ago # -
Effectively POP was this month's Critical Mass
Except CM don't seem to really have any objective/purpose beyond riding around and getting in the way a bit. PoP definitely had/has a purpose of mobilising cyclists to make a big statement / deliver a manifesto to change directly to elected representatives.
I think that's what's missing from CM for a lot of people. We could ride around till we're blue in the face, but ultimately it's "boring" stuff like writing letters, lobbying and pressurising politicians that will make real chance.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Confirmation that the official figure was 2500:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/pedal-power-on-display-at-holyrood-1-2265376
Posted 13 years ago # -
Can't wait for the comments from the muppets :D
Posted 13 years ago # -
like: "Yes more needs to be done to improve cycling safety, but I'd start with the cyclists themselves. 3 Recent cycling fatalities. 2 Of which understand to have been the cyclists own fault."
Posted 13 years ago # -
One thought I had about POP28 was, that of all the people I asked "how did you hear about POP" nobody said CCE forum. It feels like they are missing out, should we be doing more to encourage people to take a look and hopefully engage?
Posted 13 years ago # -
EB - what did they say? would be very helpful to know!
Posted 13 years ago # -
I wonder how many people listened to the speeches? My perception is, not very many. Most folk seemed to be happy to just sit in the sunshine.
Is it a problem that not many people were listening?
Or is it more important that they turned up?
Posted 13 years ago # -
Must admit, I wasn't really listening by the time the politicians started I was trying to work out where the nearest bathroom was. For the record the Hollyrood tea shop has clean enough toilets just look foreign and you'll be fine not buying tea.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@spyt - not even worth of dignifying that particular remark with a response IMO. You're dead, must have been your fault, not that you were killed or anything whilst out minding your own business. I wonder if this is what they think about murder/manslaughter victims?
Posted 13 years ago # -
I wonder how many people listened to the speeches? My perception is, not very many. Most folk seemed to be happy to just sit in the sunshine.
Is it a problem that not many people were listening?
It was impossible to hear them unless you were very close. Impossible to get close due to big crowd around speakers. I had a kid to look out for, as did many others.
Ultimately more important that folk were there. However a more powerful PA if there's a 'next time' may be an idea?
Posted 13 years ago # -
The idea of an annual event troubles me because it just becomes a "celebration of cycling in Scotland" which is all well and good but would be swiftly co-opted by the quangos etc and we'd end up with being forced to avoid negative messages as typified by CTC's apolitical stance.
Cycling *IS* dangerous in Scotland (despite Mark Beamount regrettably quoted in the pre-PoP press apparently saying the opposite).
Quarterly demo would be more like it, in my opinion. Keep the message to the forefront.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'm very sorry I missed it. The photos on Facebook/Flickr/here are very impressive. Hopefully I can come "next time", whatever "next time" might be.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Cycling *IS* dangerous in Scotland
No. It can sometimes be hazardous, depending on the conditions and the behaviour of other road users. The main danger is represented by motor vehicles.
Posted 13 years ago # -
You're splitting hairs, crowriver.
We all know that the main danger is motorist behaviour.
But that is specifically what makes cycling dangerous, for me.
I don't cycle on pavements, and rarely use shared use paths.
Its often dangerous on the road, and it shouldn't be.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@bax, if you come out with "cycling is dangerous" you just play into the hands of the "cyclists shouldn't be on the road" brigade.
Cycling does not generally represent a danger to other road users. Driving often does.
Driving is dangerous to others; cycling can be hazardous when mixing with dangerous driving.For you, this may be splitting hairs. For me, it is turning the argument around and getting away from blaming the victims of other people's dangerous behaviours.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@bax - the CTC is not a political organisation, and never was, therefore, of course, is going to take an apolitical stance.
I am unclear what you mean by this part we'd end up with being forced to avoid negative messages as typified by CTC's apolitical stance. , what negative message does the CTC give out?
I think if you're going to criticise the organisation then perhaps it would be more in line with it not getting involved enough. However, that said it is a "touring" club, or was at it's inception. Also it is dependent on membership participation and as such like other voluntary organisations is dependent on a few active/very active members doing a whole lot for those who prefer to pay the membership and not do a great deal else.
Posted 13 years ago #
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