worth noting, btw, that our own chdot was the only one whose size prediction came anywhere near the target. most of us were 'hoping' for a 1000 or so, but "I'm thinking 2k." said Mr chdot...
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
#POP28 - so what do 'we' think?
(99 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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"
but "I'm thinking 2k."
"THANKS for finding that.
That was a week ago too.
I'm waiting to see how my CEC election predictions turn out.
THAT really is dependent on many factors - inc weather.
Spokes has this in their latest post
"
Vote on May 3. Our advice, in italics, has been endorsed by a member of the Electoral Reform Society: You number the candidates in your preferred order, 1,2,3, etc. For your vote to have maximum effect, number every candidate. Enjoy putting your least favourite candidate last as well as your best first. [NB: This advice does assume you know at least something about all candidates/parties, so you can put them in order. If you know nothing at all about some, try to find out. Otherwise just slot them in between those you'd be content to see elected and those that you'd hate to be elected].
"
http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2012/04/pop-phenomenon
As has been noted on CCE, both Lab and SNP had TV slots saying 'vote 123' (for them). No Edinburgh wards have 3 candidates for any of the parties - most don't have 2!
IF you're going to vote read the whole list before numbering (as many times as you like).
It may be that you like a particular candidate from a party that has more than one - but they may be alphabetically down the list.
Posted 12 years ago # -
First line of Spokes article: Not only the biggest ever cycling demonstration in Scotland, but MSPs told us it was probably the biggest ever demonstration on any subject to take place in the public arena outside the Scottish Parliament.
Now that is impressive!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'd been wondering about the 123 thing.
Could it be because the election is on the 3rd?
Posted 12 years ago # -
I tell you what, if you organise another one next year, if someone lends me a Brompton, I volunteer to dress up as a panda for you.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Carrying on from a comment by Crowriver in the Spotted thread, to wit "Which begs the question: what next?". Thoughts for next year?
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
I'd like to see events planned for next year simultaneously in the major Scottish conurbations."
Sounds like a good idea.
So a year for people/groups in other Scottish cities to plan.
Or decide on one city - Dundee? Glasgow?
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'd like to see events planned for next year simultaneously in the major Scottish conurbations.
That is a very good idea.
So maybe still POP in Edinburgh; a rally in George Square in Glasgow; assembly in front of the Caird Hall, Dundee; ride down Union Street in Aberdeen. Oh don't forget, Perth is now officially a city again (also has a branch of The Bike Station)...
How to get the word out though?
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
David Brennan (@magnatom)
29/04/2012 08:49
Morning all! It's going to take a few days or weeks to take in what happened yesterday. Rest assured though this is just the start. #pop28"
I think the POP organisers need/deserve time to breathe/think.
NOT trying to restrict this discussion here or now.
They individually/collectively have to decide how much TIME they want to spend on this.
Spokes has sustained it's magnificent efforts for 35 years due to the largely (there has been money paid to people for specific projects) unpaid efforts of a handful of people.
Meanwhile thousands of people over many years have been paid large salaries to develop transport, health etc. policies and practices that haven't entirely helped to make the world healthier, safer, saner (etc.)
In the 'normal' world Spokes would be in a huff because some young upstart had achieved a great success. But fortunately it's not like that at the better end of cycle campaigning.
So should POP become a 'secretariat' with paid people answering the 'phone?
Probably not.
Is it reasonable to expect 'campaign groups' to spring up spontaneously in every council area?
I think CoSLA thinks councils should have Cycling Officers - perhaps they could call for them all to have a Cycle Forum where relevant council officials dealing with transport and planning and councillors meet cycle organisations and preferably people from the NHS and, perhaps, large employers.
In short there needs to be mechanisms that put pressure on Holyrood and encourage others to campaign in their local areas.
Fortunately the internet makes things easier, but it still comes down to sensible people with good ideas pushing forward in ways that are clearly more than just 'the cycling lobby'
For 30 years there has been a lot of facing down the 'nuisance cyclists' or giving them a few sops.
On one level yesterday showed that more people care about a football club than 'safe cycling' - intelligent politicians will realise it's not that simple!
Posted 12 years ago # -
well done to the organisers I thought like everyone else that it went well. I was glad the sun came out. Also glad spokes cool with it all as we need to be together as a body to make a difference. Splintering leads to failure.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I had a great day. Sadly the video I shot was mainly obscured by the wide brim of my comedy floppy hat, but we all make sacrifices for looking fabulous...
The bit that I liked best was that it didn't feel like a protest. It felt more like a few thousand people coming together in the sunshine for a grand day out. Almost a 'look at what you're missing out on' to the rest of the city. A celebration of a culture with a subtle hint of 'this is something worth protecting'.
I've attempted to be more eloquent here, but there's also a gps track if anyone's interested. Meaningless outcome: multiplying 3000 cyclists by the 2.8km route, we managed to cycle the distance to Beijing! (almost)
Posted 12 years ago # -
Okay, coming down from the clouds...
On a local level, one thing that people here in the Lothians can do is to JOIN SPOKES if not already a member. Filling out a tiny form, posting an SAE plus a small donation is all it takes. Spokes is a great source of information and ideas for those who want to remain involved in campaigning, even if it is just sending the odd email or letter to politicians. Spokes also needs help with delivering the newsletter (by bike of course), volunterrs for events, and so on.
If in Glasgow/Strathclyde there is Go Bike! who instigated the Cycle Forum in Glasgow City Council and run local campaigns. They operate slightly differently from Spokes but would I am sure be happy to see more members join.
Outside the central belt, it gets more tricky. Apart from Sally's Cycling Dumfries, I'm aware of ByCycle, the Perth & Kinross Cycle Campaign who seem quite organised. Don't know about Dundee, Aberdeen, Stirling. Instography ruminating about something in Fife...
As the saying goes, ultimately "all politics are local". Local campaigns are likely to "make a difference" if only because it's more dificult for local councillors to escape!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I think the POP organisers need/deserve time to breathe/think.
Absolutely.
So should POP become a 'secretariat' with paid people answering the 'phone?
Probably not.
Definitely not. The reason I suggested that the next step would be to organise something similar, but in more towns and cities, would be that
(i) the Edinburgh effort would 'only' need to be the same again (although it may grow anyway on the back of yesterday)
(ii) other cities may have a team of like minded individuals who could learn from PoP to set up their own event
(iii) the PoP manifesto could gain greater exposure while at the same time avoiding the need for a paid secretariat, etc. Multiple events would also have an impact on more MSPs and council members and demonstrate it isn't just an Edinburgh lefty tree-hugging luvvy thing.And as ALL cyclists know: momentum matters.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Hmm. Should have checked.
Seems there is Aberdeen Cycle Forum. Also Cycle Stirling and the Highland Cycle Campaign. Which just leaves poor old Dundee (and Fife) without a cycle campaign. (Though there is a Dundee cycling blog, CTC Tayside, Dundee Wheelers, Angus Cycling Club, etc.)
Posted 12 years ago # -
Only consideration for event(s) next year - mustn't be 28th!
Posted 12 years ago # -
The weather is usually better in May, we were lucky yesterday but it was still pretty Baltic waiting at the Meadows, blasted by a nor'easterly. 4 May 2012 anyone?
Posted 12 years ago # -
May 4th is international Star Wars day.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Can I just add my thanks to all the organisers for a truly memorable and inspirational day.
It's difficult to pin down my thoughts on the future - but here are my initial views:
The strength of PoP was that it was a grass routes organised event - no weel kent faces. Politicians find this thing difficult to ignore - i.e. voters taking mass action off their own backs rather than at the behest of some established organisation (as chdot says with well paid lobbying staff). In addition, it presented a well reasoned and coherent manifesto.
While an annual event may seem attractive, I imagine it may lose impact the longer it goes on. I think the focus needs to be on pressing for action on the implementation of the manifesto.
That said - I am attracted to the idea of a "Pedal of Parliament", where every MSP is invited to cycle in their own constituency with local residents on a specific day.
I do have a couple of very specific ideas and I will be in touch with PoP organisers about these soon.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@Morningsider:
While an annual event may seem attractive, I imagine it may lose impact the longer it goes on.
It'll doubtless reach a zenith at some point, but IMHO that's not in itself a reason to abandon the idea of a regular event, because......I think the focus needs to be on pressing for action on the implementation of the manifesto.
Agree absolutely, and to that end a regular event will help maintain momentum and not allow the politicians to ignore the movement in the hope it'll go away.Posted 12 years ago # -
There is a Gay Pride march in London every year (and in Bournemouth too I think) and it doesn't lose its vaa vaa vaa voom.
The Bournemouth one is a lot of fun, last year it had a pirate theme.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I am impressed with what the POP team managed to achieve yeterday and I guess it will be a good while before we see its impact. However, I would be a little disappointed if that was it until next year (although I do appreciate that some people put in a huge effort, whilst all I did was a few hours of flyering). There are items within the manifesto that require more will than funds and perhaps we could put pressure on these being adopted 'immediately' - enforcement of no parking in cyclelanes and on footways for example.
I for one am ready to D-lock myself to sheffield stands! :)
Posted 12 years ago # -
May 4th is international Star Wars day.
@wfb, you can come dressed as Chewbacca, or a stormtrooper.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Hey, what's with the gender stereotypes? I might want to come as princess Leia in the ill advised bikini. That way I can use the same costume for the Pride walk in Bournemouth.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Silly, silly WFB. I'll take the bikini and go as both Chewbacca and Leia. I do love me some efficiency and elegance.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Ahhhh, efficiency is a Borg ideal (alongside Perfection of course).
That's me set to be Seven of Nine.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Who says the stormtroopers are guys? Impossible to tell with those suits on. Stereotypes, you say?
Borg? Is it Star Trek day too?
Posted 12 years ago # -
A huge well done to everyone!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I thought it was blooming marvellous...well done the organisers and participants, without whom none of it would have happened!! Time to inwardly digest, rest and think strategy after wee sabbatical...I would have said.
Next are the elections and depending on who gets in will have some impact (I imagine) on what happens next, and who to lobby and pressure will be more obvious.
Think this covers the costumes...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Silly, silly crowriver. The stormtroopers are Jake The Mus.
Only not really, since Star Wars would have been a very short saga if they were:
"These aren't the droids you're looking for"
"Where'd you get that Force, bru?"
"You can move along"
"You done lag, am I right?"*stomp stomp stomp*
I do have course have every confidence that Wee Folding Bike looks at least as sublime as Ms. Ryan in his 7/9 costume.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Coming late to this thread, but still want to add my huge thanks and well done for those who organised the whole thing in general and the Harrison Park ride in particular.
I know I'm not alone in this because of Riffian's earlier post, but I was surprised by the strength of my emotional reaction to it on the day and now. I was, and remain, extremely moved that 3,000 people cared enough about this to turn out.
In particular, it was the sight of all those young children pedalling down Gilmore Place that did it for me. The only way they can cycle down there is if they've got 120 other cyclists around them and a police escort. That's just not good enough.
We're at a tipping point. We've got to make it safer for cyclists on the road so that kids can cycle from Harrison Park to the King's Theatre without Quentin there to help.
Sorry. Got a bit of dust in my eye. Both eyes, in fact. Or maybe it's the cold wind.
Posted 12 years ago #
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