The Shredded Schrader

March 1, 2010

At 11pm on WBZ-TV we are heard.

Filed under: Advocacy,Journalism — Danimal @ 10:55 am

This is one of those special (and far between) moments when I am actually… speechless…

“Hi [Grimlocke…] The actual story airs tonight at 11pm [on WBZ-TV]. The MBTA actually gave me video from inside the bus of your second incident. You can see the bus going through the red light.. and you can see you on your bike.”

Solidarity!
Danimal.

February 18, 2010

We drive. They ride.

Filed under: Advocacy,Vocabulary — Danimal @ 12:49 pm

Instead of saying I ride my bike I usually opt to say I drive my bike. This seems to throw people off and push them to “correct me.” No, no, no; The Motorist rides, we’re the ones who drive. Saying we “ride” marginalizes our efforts.

To drive is “to impart a forward motion to by physical force.” The Motorist doesn’t do that; their motors do. They simply sit there at most “directing” as they pollute, endanger cyclists, and disable themselves. Sounds a bit like “riding,” to me. Oh, the wreckful laziness of the motorist!

On the other hand, cyclists work to propel themselves. Not only are they directing, but they are physically providing the input energy responsible for propelling their vehicle forward.

And a reminder while I’m on my soap box; our ships are both technically and legally vehicles.

Solidarity!

February 5, 2010

How to report dangerous MBTA drivers

Filed under: Advocacy,Solidarity,Vigilantism — Danimal @ 5:26 pm

While not all MBTA drivers make a game of running red lights, even a single driver poses a risk to our lives and is something worth speaking up about.

Here’s the cool part;  the MBTA will listen.

If you see dangerous and/or illegal activity conducted by an MBTA driver and you would like such actions to end, follow these steps.

  1. Make note of the time, place, route, bus number, and incident
  2. Call (617) 222-3200 with the information at the ready
  3. Courteously provide the information they request
  4. When the time comes, ask for a response
  5. Share your experiences along with any email address or numbers you may obtain.

January 29, 2010

Sing this loud and clear

Filed under: Advocacy,Solidarity,UCTW — Danimal @ 4:49 pm

Inspired by the near murder of my dear friend Grimlocke, I finally finished what I’m now calling Battle Hymn of the Cyclist.

Remember, cy-cling  and cy-clist. Once again, to the tune of  Battle Hym of the Republic. And now… FROM THE TOP!

When the union’s inspiration through the cyclist’s blood shall run,
There will be no power greater than our bikes beneath the sun;
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the lonely ride of one,
For the union makes us strong.

[Chorus: ]
Solidarity in cycling,
Solidarity in cycling,
Solidarity in cycling,
For the union makes us strong.

Is there aught we hold in common with the speedy parasite,
Who would run us off the freeway and would crush us in his flight?
Is there anything left to us but to organize and bike?
For the union makes us strong.

[Chorus]

Will we sit here complacent as our brothers each are doored
Will we drown in smog and smoke emitted by the motor hoard
Or will we ride together and bike for something more
For the union makes us strong.

[Chorus]

Between our legs is placed a power greater than their crowded roads
Greater than a hundred motors magnified a thousand fold
We can bring to birth a new world on the pavement of the old
For the union makes us strong.

[Chorus]

They are wasting untold barrels and never seem to learn,
That without a change of vision, their future will be burned
But we’ll free ourselves from oil, and claim what we have earned
For the union makes us strong.

MBTA almost kills another cyclist

Filed under: Advocacy,Journalism,Parasites,Solidarity — Danimal @ 4:33 pm

Today my good friend Grimlocke was almost killed when an MBTA bus ran a red light.  Her report is detailed in a compelling post that was soon picked up by UniversalHub.com. As she reminds us, this is not the first time. In 2007 a cyclist was killed in the same area.

Action must be taken, lest next time it’s not a “nearly.” How many more cyclists must die before people take action? If the standing government will not defend the people, we must defend ourselves. I encourage people to organize and advocate for our safety, spreading awareness and engendering change.

Here’s how to take action:

Talk to people, get the word out there, speak up when you’ve been wronged! Go onto the streets, go to town meetings, go wherever there are people to hear you.

And if you don’t want to leave the house… Contact the mayors of Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge, DEMANDing that they as well take action. The safety of their citizens should be their number one priority. Remember, we too are people deserving of fair and just treatment. While I usually advocate more direct action above the heads of the standing government, we must exhaust all avenues. Our lives are on the line.

Ride in solidarity, fellow cyclists. Only together can we survive.

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