Good point :)
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
PoP it in your diary and PoP along
(61 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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Or somethingPosted 12 years ago # -
That's a Royal High scarf he's wearing!... ahhh, brings back memories of the CCF and 'IF' with Malcom McDowell! Anyway on topic... the 'kettling' has already been done and PoP2 hasn't noticed yet? Closing the roads for the
eventprotest is not the point. Vot is point? Point is to make cycling in Scotland safer for all ages, types and abilities, so on PoP 'weekend' we all have to get on our cycles and be seen to be protesting en masse in a calm and friendly way. This goes for the 'feeder rides' as well, so I don't want to witness any thuggish pelotons on my travels through the city with my Schwalbe road train! I'm hoping CycleCop will get all his mates out on the day too though! They were so understanding and pally last year, it was a pleasure dealing with L&B's Finest!Posted 12 years ago # -
Might not be L&B. Will the new unitary Scottish Police force not be up and running?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Slightly disappointing thread, methinkles. Ah well.
If you can bear to turn up despite how snuggly we've been getting with The Man, then you'll have my gratitude.
If not, then I will respect your intellectual honesty and await to see if protests with an ethos more in line with your own work better. I hope I will be gracious in rhetorical defeat should that turn out to be the case.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Indeed. POP is *a* protest. If it's not your thing, don't come.
Posted 12 years ago # -
All marches/protests need permission from the cooncil. Otherwise they get banned, folk who turn up anyway get arrested, etc.
I can see that some might be in favour of such an agent provocateur tactic. Frankly though if I'm bringing my family along I don't much fancy heads being split by riot police, ta.
That may be the difference twixt a 20-something anarchist and a 40-something dad. It's also the difference between Smash the State/Make Some Noise rhetoric and a show of strength in numbers to try and influence a specific area of government policy.
I think it's the latter that PoP is about, and has been from the start. Folk might be angry about the situation we're in but let's face it we're not about to declare the Commune.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Free and democratic country = UK. Last socialist country in the world = Scotland!
Nobody can stop you exercising your democratic right to protest in a peaceful manner, as long as you are not breaking any existing statute law eg BofP, Recklessness, DC&A etc. I'll be there pedalling my wheel for the nuts as fast as I can!Posted 12 years ago # -
You may be unaware of this, but under Scots law moving processions require both council and police approval. Orders to prohibit marches, processions and events "likely to cause public disorder" or even just if they might be "contentious" can and are issued by CEC, GCC, etc.
I think things like Critical Mass get away with it because they can just turn around and say "it's just a bike ride". Oh, except during the London Olympics, apparently.
Posted 12 years ago # -
In case I'm misread, I fully support PoP, I just don't want it to be PaP (around).
Posted 12 years ago # -
The really worrying thing is that council is moving to charge for all such moving protests from 1 -April. And it's not clear that the councillors are aware of this. If you are concerned, please do write to your councillors.
Posted 12 years ago # -
It might be worth saying that I fully support the objectives of POP:
Proper funding for cycling.
Design cycling into Scotland’s roads.
Slower speeds where people live, work and play
Integrate cycling into local transport strategies
Improved road traffic law and enforcement
Reduce the risk of HGVs to cyclists and pedestrians
A strategic and joined-up programme of road user training
Improved statistics supporting decision-making and policy.I have tagged one of Chdot’s photos, hope you are cool with this Chdot?, from last year with me proudly taking part.
While respecting the views of others, and at no point attempting to dissuade them from exercising their democratic right to pedal the established route on Sunday 19th , I know I will feel comfortable, riding the route, in my saddle on Saturday18th knowing I have not been “kettled”.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"tagged one of Chdot’s photos"
No prob - they are all fine for 'non-commercial use'.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I think the main thing is the support we've had for POP's manifesto - at the end of the day that's what we all want to achieve however it comes about.
The revolution in London (assuming Boris's announcement bears fruit) came about because of pressure from lots of directions - protest rides (both the flash ones around contentious points like Blackfriars Bridge, and the Big Ride on Parliament that triggered the original POP), persistent and prolific bloggers holding politicians to account, a concerted effort to affect the outcome of the mayoral election (Londoners on Bikes), a national newspaper campaign from the Times, and the London Cycling Campaign and other campaign groups adopting a clear message ('Go Dutch') about safer cycling and not accepting half-hearted measures. Scotland needs a similar broad front - not just POP, and not just Spokes. I'll keep doing POP because that's what I can do - but there are absolutely other ways to protest and other battles to fight, from Leith Walk on.
Posted 12 years ago # -
+1 Sally. I have actually said a number of times we need more 'angry' bloggers. I try my best on my own blog but we need more. Reading the posts on CCE I know some of you guys could do it! :-)
Posted 12 years ago # -
"I know some of you guys could do it! :-)"
At least three do.
Then there's the Spokes web site which is partly 'blog'.
CCE is a useful outlet for people who don't have time/desire to maintain their own site.
I think CCE acts is a useful place for exchanging info/ideas and act as an inspiration for people to do stuff - even if it's 'only' sending the occasional email.
Posted 12 years ago # -
we need this http://www.wimp.com/inbruges/
Posted 12 years ago # -
I sometimes wonder about trying a blog - but I'm not sure what I would say.
I think to create a successful blog you have to have stuff you want to say; and I think that anything I could say, others are already saying, and saying better than I can.
The other thing is I feel that I'm the "wrong kind of cyclist" - yes I do do utility cycling and my Brompton is my usual tool for short distance getting from A to B; but I'm also the MAWIL/triathlete with the fitness to sprint away from lights and the confidence to slow down an LGV by giving the driver a Hard Stare. Someone like SRD who can talk about the issues of cycling with children is more useful to the debate about infrastructure etc. Or Roibeard's issues with cycling with his daughter to school, for example.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
The other thing is I feel that I'm the "wrong kind of cyclist" - yes I do do utility cycling and my Brompton is my usual tool for short distance getting from A to B; but I'm also the MAWIL/triathlete with the fitness to sprint away from lights and the confidence to slow down an LGV by giving the driver a Hard Stare."
I think you are exactly the right sort of cyclist!
It's interesting that 'the blogger effect' is being cited (by Boris and others) as a reason for action.
Not sure how true it is. London Cycle Campaign is also a factor (and has been mentioned)
So (most?) importantly is the Times campaign - started because a journalist had a serious accident while cycling.
It's therefore a mix of traditional campaigning, 'new media' and old media.
Twitter is currently particularly useful in Edinburgh for getting action from Local Teams.
So another blog/ger is unlikely to change the world.
But the fact of more people in more places 'pushing' cycling seems to be advantageous at the moment.
Posted 12 years ago # -
It's become a cliché but still the idea of a 'tipping point', that there comes a point where the pressure, the weight of opinion, in one direction leads to irresistible momentum, is true. One more blogger (and more frequent posts from other <cough> people who have been known to <blush> blog about cycling in their area) added to all the other factors, just adds to the weight. Say it even if someone else says it better.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@finmm "I've been reflecting on why I didn't blog for many years. One of the big reasons is that others put things so much better than I can"
http://deceasedcanine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/in-praise-of-on-line-communities.html
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Say it even if someone else says it better"
That has to be a good maxim.
I think CCE acts a blog for many people.
EDIT See post below!
If everyone left here and started their own blogs, that would be slightly sad, but there would be more more spread/diversity.
Obviously that won't happen!
The people I know who blog mention it on here - so it's not an either or.
The most important cycle blog post of the year (OK last year) was Andrew Burns writing about the QBC.
OK he's 'famous'/important/influential.
He doesn't just write about cycle issues.
He also wouldn't have done the ride without a 'challenge' on Twitter - and an 'escort' by three people who post here.
(Please) blog if you want - and tell us on here.
Also tell your friends/politicians why you cycle and what would make it easier for others to do so too.
Oh and it's not just about cycling - it's about making Edinburgh (and elsewhere) better.
Posted 12 years ago # -
From above link -
"
And the reason I've not blogged about cycling is that a few years ago I discovered the wonderful CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum. And not only have they let me vent many insecurities and frustrations, but they have provided advice, a secondhand trailer, good deals on bikes, the occasional free accessory....
It's given me lots of material for the blog too....
"
Posted 12 years ago # -
Well, here you go...
(I wonder how many blogs there are out there with just one or two posts in them...)Posted 12 years ago # -
There are a surprising number with no posts!
Posted 12 years ago # -
POP Flyers are now out and about.. The following bike shops have agreed to be distribution points for picking up bundles of flyers if you'd like to spread the word to places it hasn't reached so far.
Alpine Bikes
Bicycle Repair Man
Bike Smith
Edinburgh Bicycle Coop
Bike Chain (now EBC)
Soul Cycles
Bike StationIf you need more than available at a shop, let me know and we can arrange some for you. As always, POP needs the help of CCEers..
Posted 12 years ago # -
We're also looking for helpers to distribute flyers at the Red Bull event in the Grassmarket this weekend! Somebody will be there from 6pm, but if anybody would like to hand some out earlier please let me know.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Had a quick look at the Grassmarket/Victoria St today. I will be there with a bundle of flyers at the start in Grassmarket from about 6.45pm, then we'll move up and down behind the barriers to the finish at the top..
Good luck to those here that qualified!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'll lend a hand with the flyering. 6.45 at the start point?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yes.. See you there Bruce..
Posted 12 years ago #
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