CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News

POP2. 18 May 2013: brung your friends!

(49 posts)
  • Started 11 years ago by SRD
  • Latest reply from Rabid Hamster

  1. chdot
    Admin

    "if kids can't safely ride their bikes in Scotland then we'll never be a cycle-friendly nation"

    It's all right - Cycling Scotland is re-doing its 'give me strength room' TV campaign soon.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  2. sallyhinch
    Member

    hah! Yes, 'Give me strength' is exactly right...

    Posted 11 years ago #
  3. neddie
    Member

    I thought the whole point of a protest was to cause disruption?

    Otherwise no one will 'notice' you.

    If POP gets moved to Sunday, I'll take that to mean we live in a police state.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  4. chdot
    Admin

    Or a Lothian Bus state.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  5. sallyhinch
    Member

    Well, right or wrong, we had to come to a decision and I don't think it was unreasonable to compromise. Sure we *could* exercise our rights of lawful protest and bring Edinburgh to a halt, but not if we wanted to bring families along. Our judgement was that we could also make the same point while keeping some allies on side - which actually includes the police, who were very complimentary about last year's POP.

    I know people feel very passionately about POP and have a real sense of ownership of it especially on this forum but we do have to juggle lots of different factors while coming to these decisions - and I can assure you that we do not come to them lightly. Whether those decisions are right or wrong, I don't know - but we're doing the best we can. All we can ask is that people step back and see the bigger picture and I don't think there's much more powerful than the huge numbers of children that turned out last year. Surely that leaves a better lasting impression than a traffic snarl up or chaos on the buses?

    Those of us who put POP together this time and last time put a huge amount of effort into it, we all have day jobs and families as well, we do it because we care passionately about making Scotland fit for cycling. Not one of us had done anything similar until last year and we're still making it up as we go along. We really appreciate the support we get from CCE folk, and it's good to get feedback on how people feel, but please do bear in mind that we're human and doing the best we can. And if you've got ideas on how to make POP better and want to join in the fun - feel free to join us. You have nothing to lose but your sleep, your sanity, and your remaining free time

    :-)

    Posted 11 years ago #
  6. Uberuce
    Member

    edd1e_h: the purpose of a protest is to cause attention.

    Disruption is one way to achieve that, I agree.

    I support that thing where we try the other ones first.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  7. NiallA
    Member

    Sally,

    As someone who is intending to come to POP2 with the entire famly (2 boys, aged 6 and 6 months at that point) I'd definitely support your efforts to get buy in from the other players in this - I wasn't there last year, but it really sounds as if the support from the Police and others made a huge difference. I'd certainly see this as a worthwhile goal for the POP team, and if running the event on the Sunday can achieve this, then that seems to me to be an ideal outcome. Best of luck with negotiations!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  8. ruggtomcat
    Member

    has the printing been done? if not then big woop, the street performers will be glad :)

    Posted 11 years ago #
  9. chdot
    Admin

    "the street performers will be glad"

    Because they get more business on Saturdays?

    Or not allowed on Sun?

    Posted 11 years ago #
  10. AIMC
    Member

    London city centre will be closed to traffic for an eight mile traffic free route on a SATURDAY.
    What's wrong with Edinburgh? It's only once a year on a very short route for a very short time.
    http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/Prudential_RideLondon___Events/Prudential_RideLondon___FreeCycle.htm
    Appreciate all the efforts of POP organisers and will be there whatever day is chosen.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  11. minus six
    Member

    saturday = protest

    sunday = fun day out

    and never the twain shall meet

    Posted 11 years ago #
  12. "If POP gets moved to Sunday, I'll take that to mean we live in a police state."

    No, no we really don't. Seriously.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  13. Smudge
    Member

    What WC said. Absolutely.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  14. LaidBack
    Member

    Sunday though is the normal day to 'drive your car and park on cycle lanes'.
    The fact that cyclists will converge en masse in the Meadows will still be noted by people driving.
    Those that use public transport won't notice delays as badly. Despite our 24/7 economy bus services on a Sunday are so infrequent on some routes you are quicker walking (or even using a car if you have one).

    Posted 11 years ago #
  15. Rabid Hamster
    Member

    The way this is going, I'll be joining TJ and just pedal round the wheel all weekend, like the good little hamster I am! That way I won't miss anything... 'flash-mob' or official romp with POP2! Hhmm! thinks? If there is date confusion already then folk will turn up both days anyway by default (human nature?). I think my little hamster brain is going to burst... arrghhh!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  16. Dave
    Member

    I had the Sat free but am triple booked on the Sun, so unlikely to be able to attend :(

    Still, it is what it is - kudos to the team for all their hard efforts!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  17. chdot
    Admin

    "
    Pedal On Parliament (@POPScotland)
    07/03/2013 11:10
    We can confirm #POP2 will be on Sunday 19th May at 3pm on closed roads. :-)

    "

    Posted 11 years ago #
  18. Radgeworks
    Member

    I for one aint missing this years PoP, was out of the UK last year and regretted it.
    Dinny care what day its oan either. :->

    R

    Posted 11 years ago #
  19. Rabid Hamster
    Member

    This thread is probably drying up now, so you might want to go to the newer thread covering PoP2:

    'PoP it in your diary and PoP along'

    Posted 11 years ago #

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