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Subject: RE: [shift] RE: Code of Conduct (long, but hopefully worth your
Date: 01/27/2005 04:54 AM
From: Peter Murphy

<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV class=RTE>
<P>Back wheel works better, than front...More metal...<BR><BR><BR>Pete Murphy </P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>From: "Raisman, Greg" <Greg.R-@pdxtrans.org>
<DIV></DIV>>To: 'Dan H' <da-@bicyclerepairman.us>, Jerry.-@comcast.net,ron-@spiritone.com, sus-@teamestrogen.com,CycleO-@yahoogroups.com, 'obra' <ob-@topica.com>,shi-@lists.riseup.net
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: [shift] RE: [OBRA Chat] Code of Conduct (long,  but hopefully worth your time)
<DIV></DIV>>Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 08:14:28 -0800
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Just an FYI:
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I've heard the signal engineers around here say, "Put your tire on the
<DIV></DIV>>wire." This will supposedly trip the sensor when you're riding your bicycle.
<DIV></DIV>>So, When you see that black line on the pavement, under it is a wire that is
<DIV></DIV>>tripped by magnets when metal passes over. Try putting your tire right on
<DIV></DIV>>the wire. I've had better luck trying it this way.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Enjoy.
<DIV></DIV>>Greg
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>-----Original Message-----
<DIV></DIV>>From: Dan H [mailto:da-@bicyclerepairman.us]
<DIV></DIV>>Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 12:28 AM
<DIV></DIV>>To: Jerry.-@comcast.net; ron-@spiritone.com;
<DIV></DIV>>sus-@teamestrogen.com; CycleO-@yahoogroups.com; 'obra';
<DIV></DIV>>shi-@lists.riseup.net
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Code of Conduct (long, but hopefully worth your
<DIV></DIV>>time)
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> > A substantial number of red lights I encounter are NOT designed to sense
<DIV></DIV>> > bikes.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>That can be a problem.  Usually a motorist will pull up behind me but stop
<DIV></DIV>>too far back to trigger the signal thinking they are being courtious.  I
<DIV></DIV>>look back and becon them forward pointing at the road immediatly behind me
<DIV></DIV>>but most of the time I just get quizical looks like that RCA dog and they
<DIV></DIV>>just sit there so I increase the amplitude of my signal with a big wave of
<DIV></DIV>>my arm, like, "come here! See the big loop in the road? it's a metal
<DIV></DIV>>detector! Look!" About one in five will figure it out and pull forward
<DIV></DIV>>enough to trip the signal.  I think a lot people still think the signal uses
<DIV></DIV>>a pressure pad. They don't. That went out with the 70's.
<DIV></DIV>>If the motorist does not trip the signal in 2 cycles I'm forced to make an
<DIV></DIV>>illegal manuever to get things going.  Sometimes you just have to.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> > ----- Original Message -----
<DIV></DIV>> > From: "ron strasser" <ron-@spiritone.com>
<DIV></DIV>> > To: <sus-@teamestrogen.com>; <CycleO-@yahoogroups.com>; "'obra'"
<DIV></DIV>> > <ob-@topica.com>; <shi-@lists.riseup.net>
<DIV></DIV>> > Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 7:54 PM
<DIV></DIV>> > Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Code of Conduct (long, but hopefully worth your
<DIV></DIV>> > time)
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> > >I agree that the bottom line is for us cyclists to not break the rules of
<DIV></DIV>> > > the road (especially in busy urban areas and country roads that have
<DIV></DIV>>poor
<DIV></DIV>> > > sightlines).  The auto drivers that see rules being disobeyed or have to
<DIV></DIV>> > > deal with it will not remember the other riders that are riding
<DIV></DIV>>properly.
<DIV></DIV>> > > I
<DIV></DIV>> > > urge cyclists to keep the respect of most motor vehicle drivers by being
<DIV></DIV>> > > courteous and riding in a predictable manner. I know that we cannot stop
<DIV></DIV>>a
<DIV></DIV>> > > driver from breaking the rules of the road...but two wrongs do not make
<DIV></DIV>>a
<DIV></DIV>> > > right.  Even when you are in a hurry on your rides, you make many
<DIV></DIV>> > > decisions
<DIV></DIV>> > > based on your own safety.  I would urge all to consider obeying the
<DIV></DIV>>rules
<DIV></DIV>> > > of
<DIV></DIV>> > > the road as a personal safety decision... in the short and long term.
<DIV></DIV>> > > ron strasser
<DIV></DIV>> > > ----- Original Message -----
<DIV></DIV>> > > From: "Susan Otcenas" <sus-@teamestrogen.com>
<DIV></DIV>> > > To: <CycleO-@yahoogroups.com>; "'obra'" <ob-@topica.com>;
<DIV></DIV>> > > <shi-@lists.riseup.net>
<DIV></DIV>> > > Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 5:05 PM
<DIV></DIV>> > > Subject: [OBRA Chat] Code of Conduct (long, but hopefully worth your
<DIV></DIV>>time)
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> > >> Apologies in advance for cross-posting to more than one e-list.
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> Yesterday, the Oregonian published a Letter to the Editor that I wrote
<DIV></DIV>> > > after
<DIV></DIV>> > >> reading about the latest hit-and-run here on the west side.  Should you
<DIV></DIV>> > > care
<DIV></DIV>> > >> to read it, here's a link to my letter
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>>http://www.oregonlive.com/letters/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/110639
<DIV></DIV>> > >> 8840172300.xml
<DIV></DIV>> > >> as well as the original article
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>>http://www.oregonlive.com/metrowest/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_west_new
<DIV></DIV>> > >> s/110544844993880.xml
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> Predictably, yesterday evening I received an anonymous phone call from
<DIV></DIV>> > >> "Jack" who wanted to talk about my letter.  Luckily, he wasn't a
<DIV></DIV>>nutcase,
<DIV></DIV>> > >> and we had an hour-long conversation about the differences between the
<DIV></DIV>> > >> way
<DIV></DIV>> > >> cyclists and motorists see the world.  It was a productive
<DIV></DIV>>conversation,
<DIV></DIV>> > >> with both of us conceding a few points.
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> Jack's biggest beef with cyclists was the way in which cyclists often
<DIV></DIV>> > >> seem
<DIV></DIV>> > >> to flaunt the rules of the road.  Running red lights and stop signs,
<DIV></DIV>> > > riding
<DIV></DIV>> > >> 3 abreast or in packs that do not move over when vehicles approach from
<DIV></DIV>> > >> behind, failing to signal, etc.  We demand "respect" and assert our
<DIV></DIV>> > >> "rights", yet fail to observe the rules ourselves.  Frankly, I agree
<DIV></DIV>>with
<DIV></DIV>> > >> him.  Sure, motorists break the rules all the time, but it doesn't
<DIV></DIV>> > >> matter.
<DIV></DIV>> > >> WE CAN NOT OCCUPY THE MORAL HIGH GROUND WHILE NOT OBEYING THE RULES
<DIV></DIV>> > >> OURSELVES.
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> I want to start a discussion on a "code of conduct" of sorts.
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> ### Note:
<DIV></DIV>> > >> - If you wish to debate the evilness of autos, please start another
<DIV></DIV>> > > thread.
<DIV></DIV>> > >> - If you wish to debate the war in Iraq, please start another thread.
<DIV></DIV>> > >> - If you wish to debate the FAIRNESS of said rules, DON'T start a
<DIV></DIV>>thread.
<DIV></DIV>> > >> Pony up the bucks to join the BTA, or better yet volunteer your time
<DIV></DIV>>with
<DIV></DIV>> > >> them to advocate for change.
<DIV></DIV>> > >> ###
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> The fact is, the rules are the rules, such as they are.  If we ever
<DIV></DIV>>wish
<DIV></DIV>> > > to
<DIV></DIV>> > >> gain the respect of the motorists, we have to do a better job of
<DIV></DIV>>obeying
<DIV></DIV>> > > the
<DIV></DIV>> > >> rules of the road.  And we have to figure out a way to politely tell
<DIV></DIV>>our
<DIV></DIV>> > >> fellow cyclists that certain behavior is not acceptable.  There's a lot
<DIV></DIV>> > >> to
<DIV></DIV>> > >> be said for peer pressure.
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> In response to a recent post about police ticketing cyclists who were
<DIV></DIV>>not
<DIV></DIV>> > >> stopping at a particular intersection yesterday, I would very much like
<DIV></DIV>> > >> to
<DIV></DIV>> > >> commend the OBRA members who pointed that no e-mail "warning" should be
<DIV></DIV>> > >> necessary.  My favorite was:
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> "Remember the "three R's" of cycling:
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >>         Same road
<DIV></DIV>> > >>         Same rules
<DIV></DIV>> > >>         Same rights"
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> For myself, I'm making a pledge to do better.  I know I can't/won't be
<DIV></DIV>> > >> perfect.  But I'm going to re-double my efforts to stop at every stop
<DIV></DIV>> > >> sign
<DIV></DIV>> > >> instead of sometimes rolling through when it's "clear".  I'm going to
<DIV></DIV>>ask
<DIV></DIV>> > >> friends on group rides to be more conscious of approaching vehicles so
<DIV></DIV>> > > that
<DIV></DIV>> > >> we can be courteous to our fellow citizens by allowing them to safely
<DIV></DIV>> > > pass.
<DIV></DIV>> > >> I'm going to re-read "Pedal Power, A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists"
<DIV></DIV>> > >> so
<DIV></DIV>> > > I
<DIV></DIV>> > >> can be sure of my rights and responsibilities (free download available
<DIV></DIV>>at
<DIV></DIV>> > >> http://www.stc-law.com/bikepower.html ).   I'm hoping that some of you
<DIV></DIV>> > > will
<DIV></DIV>> > >> also take some time to look at how you use your bicycle, and see if
<DIV></DIV>>there
<DIV></DIV>> > >> isn't some small way in which you can improve as well.  Every action we
<DIV></DIV>> > >> as
<DIV></DIV>> > >> individuals take is seen as representative of our entire
<DIV></DIV>> > >> class--especially
<DIV></DIV>> > >> if it's a negative action, which reinforces what motorists already
<DIV></DIV>>think
<DIV></DIV>> > > and
<DIV></DIV>> > >> expect.
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> So, I pose two questions:
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> 1) What's the best way for individual cyclists to communicate with
<DIV></DIV>>other
<DIV></DIV>> > >> individual cyclists, on the road, about behaving?
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> And
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> 2) What would be the most effective way for an organization (like the
<DIV></DIV>> > >> BTA,
<DIV></DIV>> > >> OBRA, the Wheelman, etc.) to do broad outreach to the cycling community
<DIV></DIV>> > >> on
<DIV></DIV>> > >> this issue?
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> I apologize if this e-mail has come across as preachy.  That's not my
<DIV></DIV>> > >> intent.  I just think we need to figure out a way to peacefully
<DIV></DIV>>co-exist
<DIV></DIV>> > >> with motorists and this seems like a good way to start.  Please don't
<DIV></DIV>> > > flame
<DIV></DIV>> > >> me if you disagree.  Constructive criticism and discussion welcome.
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> Susan
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> --------------------------------------------
<DIV></DIV>> > >> Susan Otcenas
<DIV></DIV>> > >> TEAM ESTROGEN, INC. __~o
<DIV></DIV>> > >> 2038 NW Aloclek Dr., Suite 220     -\_<,
<DIV></DIV>> > >> Hillsboro, OR 97124    (*)/'(*)
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> http://www.TeamEstrogen.com
<DIV></DIV>> > >> 1-877-310-4592
<DIV></DIV>> > >> --------------------------------------------
<DIV></DIV>> > >>  Cycling Apparel and Accessories for Women
<DIV></DIV>> > >> --------------------------------------------
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >> To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.
<DIV></DIV>> > >> To respond to the list manager send to cmur-@obra.org
<DIV></DIV>> > >> To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >>
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> > > To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.
<DIV></DIV>> > > To respond to the list manager send to cmur-@obra.org
<DIV></DIV>> > > To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> > To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.
<DIV></DIV>> > To respond to the list manager send to cmur-@obra.org
<DIV></DIV>> > To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>_________________________________________
<DIV></DIV>>The homepage for this list can be found at http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/shift
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>People may unsubscribe by sending mail to
<DIV></DIV>>shift-uns-@lists.riseup.net
<DIV></DIV></div></html>
	
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