TWO KINDS OF CYCLISTS...
Thread started by
SoapBoxLA at 06.22.09 - 7:00 pm
It has been said that there are two kinds of cyclists.
1) Those who are gainfully employed and who toil day in and day out, producing services and products that enrich the lives of all of us.
2) Those who spend their afternoons at City Hall, fighting for the rights of cyclists throughout the land of LA, walking the halls of power, honing their 60 seconds speeches until they are so sharp, they draw blood.
For those cyclists in Group #1, we thank you and wish you well as you carry on with whatever it is that you do and hope that your position is safe from furlough and early retirement.
For those cyclists in Group #2, it's time to go to work, such as it may be.
This Wednesday, the City Council's Transportation Committee meets at 2 pm and on the agenda are:
*LAPD report on Hummer vs. Cyclists as well as LAPD training on cycling rules and regulations
*LA Bike Plan report including an appearance from the Consultants now known as "Team Infeasible"
RECAP: This Wednesday @ 2 pm, cyclists from all over LA will either be at work (bless you, thank you for keeping the economy grinding along) or at City Hall fighting for our rights!
Give me a shout if you need more info: 323.864.7586
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no, there are three kinds. the third variety calls in sick in spite of the consequences. see you wednesday.
tortuga_veloce06.22.09 - 7:06 pm
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i'm unfortunately stuck in the first group, but thanks to everyone in the second. good luck.
slowrighthand06.22.09 - 7:21 pm
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noo can't go.
+1 for those that can
Gav06.22.09 - 7:57 pm
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Due to the economy I am no longer one of the ones who toil all day and leave the real work to the few who represent our community. I'll be there. I just don't have much of a presence behind a mic but I can definitely go and support those that are far more eloquent and braver than myself.
Jazzy Phat Nastee06.22.09 - 8:20 pm
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so everyone should meet outside city hall?
palucha6606.22.09 - 8:54 pm
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1. Those that have crashed
2. Those that will crash
jchungerford06.22.09 - 9:00 pm
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funny thing about crashes some fucking idiot hit me today in West Hollywood and i was on the bike lane. The idiot got to close and the mirror on the side hit my arm. then i fell but no major damage only some cuts. uncomfortably my back rim messed up a so i had to walk it back home
palucha6606.22.09 - 9:05 pm
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Good thing the driver stopped and gave you his insurance info.
On the meeting, do we have one or two minutes for speaking our peace?
User1 responding to a
comment by palucha66
06.22.09 - 9:22 pm
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no the fucking idiot didnt notice. He/She left.
palucha6606.22.09 - 9:24 pm
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User1, Public comment is typically 2 minutes but if we all show up, there is a significant chance that Committee Chair Wendy Greuel will drop public comment to 60 seconds.
Worst case scenario, go with limericks!
SoapBoxLA06.22.09 - 9:44 pm
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I'll be there too! And +1 to this: "I just don't have much of a presence behind a mic but I can definitely go and support those that are far more eloquent and braver than myself. "
imachynna06.22.09 - 9:56 pm
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ill be there if i fix my bike tomorrow
palucha6606.22.09 - 10:01 pm
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wow i just got a spark of insanity. Should people mention what happened at Crank Mob?
palucha6606.22.09 - 10:06 pm
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If you bring your bike I'll help you fix it.
imachynna responding to a
comment by palucha66
06.22.09 - 10:06 pm
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Haha. I'm a bike mechanic since I think palucha isn't real! HA
imachynna responding to a
comment by Jazzy Phat Nastee
06.22.09 - 10:10 pm
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its just a messed up tire. imma just go to the kitchen to fix it up tomorrow
palucha6606.22.09 - 10:14 pm
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Four kinds.
Gainfully employed but with Wednesdays off.
See you at City Hall.
I wanna hear what they have to say about the Bike Plan.
katiepoche responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
06.22.09 - 10:45 pm
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This Weds?
Thanks for the heads up.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by katiepoche
06.22.09 - 11:18 pm
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Word from on high is that Stephen Box has generated complaints to the GM of LADOT about his unruly requests for something called "REspeque" (??? sic ???) and "accom dating" from the City for bikes.
The LADOT traffic cops will no doubt be in force that day, spending that days portion of their $4 million allotment to alleviate congestion caused by everyone in City Hall groanig at the thought of engaged community members showing up to make sure their interests are protected.
BTW, anyone seen the new "LADOT Planned but unfeasible" stickers floating around the eastside these days?
ubrayj0206.23.09 - 1:58 am
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Please bring the Team Infeasible stickers!
SoapBoxLA06.23.09 - 8:32 am
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and when you need us, group #1 ditches work and goes to support group #2.
its a win win!
revolutionary06.23.09 - 8:40 am
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Do you know if this meeting going to be televised live on the council website?
barleye06.23.09 - 8:56 am
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Dont mention what happened at crank mob. That was in culver city. Were going to be doing a separate meeting for that.
tortuga_veloce06.23.09 - 9:10 am
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Yo Barleye,
The Transpo Committee won't be televised but you can listen in on CityPhone.
213-621-2489
Also you can download the audio at http://tinyurl.com/TeamInfeasible
SoapBoxLA06.23.09 - 10:20 am
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Even if you don't speak, just showing us in numbers help.
Hey Stephen, do you have any info on Sandy Davidson? If you do, can you bring it?
Sandy Davidson Doesn't look like anyone is getting a ghost bike out there. Not sexy enough I guess.
User106.23.09 - 12:38 pm
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Count me in.
Shitty Hall, here we come!
DJwheels06.23.09 - 2:13 pm
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bump
Wednesday, 2 PM; that ain't bad!!
Eric Hair06.23.09 - 4:26 pm
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finally a government meeting that conforms to my sleep schedule.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by Eric Hair
06.23.09 - 6:48 pm
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TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009
ROOM 1010, CITY HALL - 2:00 PM
200 NORTH SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
i got this info from the city's site. can anyone confirm if it's correct?
coldcut06.23.09 - 9:25 pm
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some info on the BICYCLE PLAN. i never knew how informative the city's site can actually be sometimes.
coldcut06.23.09 - 9:29 pm
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Coldcut, your information is correct.
For those who have not yet ventured into City Hall, double check your bag to make sure you don't have any tools that won't make it past the security. (ie sharp things)
They'll ask for ID when you enter but tell them that you are attending a public meeting covered by the Brown Act and they'll let you in without showing ID. It's State Law.
SoapBoxLA06.23.09 - 9:35 pm
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awesome.
thanks so much for the info, stephen!
coldcut responding to a
comment by SoapBoxLA
06.23.09 - 9:39 pm
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Can they confiscate my sharp tongue?
I think NOT!
angle responding to a
comment by SoapBoxLA
06.23.09 - 10:56 pm
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One of the themes I hope to get across at this meeting is the unfortunate need to baby-sit LAPD and other government institutions whenever incidents involving cyclists are reported.
My message to LA City Council, LAPD, LA City Attorney, LA District Attorney:
WE WILL BE THERE!
The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
See you guys at Shitty Hall.
DJwheels06.24.09 - 8:49 am
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In spite of that exhortation, DJWheels does NOT like to be referred to as "Squeaky"
SoapBoxLA06.24.09 - 10:20 am
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Im starting to regret hopping on the bus. I might not be able to keep up with wolfpack, but im certainly faster than this.
tortuga_veloce06.24.09 - 1:35 pm
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I'm at work but logged in to the citiphone.
213-621-2489 then hit 3# to be connected to the transportation meeting. you'll hear classical music until the meeting starts....
barleye responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
06.24.09 - 1:43 pm
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alls i gots is silence, and i like classical music too :(
jchungerford06.24.09 - 2:00 pm
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I'm going to take this opportunity to ask that everyone come out to the TANDEM RIDE WITH NO NAME on Saturday at noon...we ride at 1pm. more info and route over there ---->
barleye responding to a
comment by Foldie
06.24.09 - 2:27 pm
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moar parking?
fuck that.
we need less parking and more room for bikes.
trickmilla06.24.09 - 2:46 pm
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TUNE IN NOW...THEY'RE STARTING WITH OFFICER TRAINING RE: BIKES
barleye06.24.09 - 2:52 pm
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Wendy G. is on point as usual.
Hahah ... they don't ticket cyclists very often thats why they don't know the law...
trickmilla responding to a
comment by barleye
06.24.09 - 2:54 pm
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popo's version of the incident doesn't make any fucking sense.
trickmilla06.24.09 - 2:59 pm
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be disciplined ridazzz!
keep those outbursts under control.
haha
trickmilla06.24.09 - 3:01 pm
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for those who are not listening:
COPS VERSION;
Cyclist rear-ended Hummer (cyclist a fault).
Angry cyclists surrounded hummer and started yelling at driver.
They threw their bikes in front of the hummer and one threw a bike at the hummer.
Hummer drove one block away and waited for the cops.
trickmilla06.24.09 - 3:05 pm
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*cough* BULLSHIT *cough* makes me wanna puke.
kryxtanicole responding to a
comment by trickmilla
06.24.09 - 3:10 pm
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RIDAZZ RESPOND to COPS VERSION OF HUMMER INCIDENT
trickmilla responding to a
comment by kryxtanicole
06.24.09 - 3:16 pm
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Mr. Box
Lucid as usual!
Applause Deserved!
trickmilla06.24.09 - 3:28 pm
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I think thats Ed Reyes ... dropping bombs on LAPD.
trickmilla06.24.09 - 3:37 pm
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MATT WAS CLEAR HEADED AND LAID IT OUT FOR THEM... AWESOME....
barleye06.24.09 - 3:47 pm
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I finally disconnected
I dont wanna run outta minutes this month.
I am once again impressed by the great work of the cyclists
Ed Reyes and Wendy Gruel seem on top of the issues as well.
I can't believe how bad the cops fucked up the hummer incident.
Justice is very elusive for cyclists in L.A.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by barleye
06.24.09 - 3:52 pm
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My thanks for representing to all who are there.
mr rollers06.24.09 - 3:53 pm
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Thanks, Ridazz. You did us proud.
I missed the LAPD part but listened in on the bike plan comments. It was nice of the transportation planning folks to let everyone know that a representative from the consulting firm was present,
after everyone had already had their say.
nathansnider06.24.09 - 7:46 pm
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Listening to audio of old meetings can be kind of mind numbing but today's Transportation Committee meeting deserves to be archived and replayed. Especially the LAPD version of the Hummer incident and LADOT Bike Plan fumble.
http://tr.im/LAPDBUMMER
SoapBoxLA06.25.09 - 12:09 am
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Is it my imagination or was that actually a productive meeting?
alicestrong responding to a
comment by SoapBoxLA
06.25.09 - 10:08 am
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I think it was our imagination... however, how do we replace George with Box? that would be PRODUCTIVE.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by alicestrong
06.25.09 - 10:33 am
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the bullshitting begins about a third of the way in...
Roadblock responding to a
comment by onemorefixie
06.25.09 - 10:41 am
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love how the LAPD said that the hummer had plates and then Alex Thompson walks up with a photo of the Hummer on top of the bike with no plates. #LAPDlies
I love how the LAPD CONTINUEs to NOT produce the accident report and waffles around on the important details... you know, like WHO called the cops and whether the Hummer was waiting for the cops or escaping the scene.
Roadblock06.25.09 - 10:44 am
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Rosendahl <3 Roadblock
Bike Plan = DOA
If the LAPD is going to lie about the events of the Hummer incident, Ridazz need to be there to hiss and contradict them, wherever they go. I'm more concerned about the LAPD thinking they can get away with this coverup than with the fact that some maniac thugs ran over my friends.
Im hopeful that we can get the LAPD better educated about cyclists' issues. Equal representation under the law and fair enforcement of the vehicle code would be a nice start. I'm resigned to the fact that the only way were going to get sharrows is if some people get there out with a bucket of wheat paste and a can of spray paint.
tortuga_veloce06.25.09 - 10:53 am
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they looked like such fools. we contradicted every one of their lies. the commander couldnt even look me in the eye. they were better prepared to discuss the side mirror that probably broke when it hit Andres, than the "mystery cyclist" that may have been hospitalized.
SHAME ON THE LAPD.
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by Roadblock
06.25.09 - 10:56 am
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great comments tortuga and Andres
Roadblock responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
06.25.09 - 10:58 am
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"he was located about a block away from the scene while awaiting the arrival of the police."
now scroll up and look at the picture at the top of this page and see if you get mad.
tortuga_veloce06.25.09 - 11:03 am
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so who called the cops? the cyclists not the Hummer.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
06.25.09 - 11:07 am
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You made some really good comments yesterday Iian. Glad you were able to make it.
When I heard from the LAPD that the Hummer driver went a block down and was waiting for the cops to arrive, I was left scratching my head on this. If the driver was escaping these ridazz, how is going a block down and waiting for the cops escaping the ridazz? The ridazz couldn't ride a block to catch up with them? LAPD's story really lacks alot of credibility and not putting out an accident report further shows that to be the case. I don't really think they'll get in trouble for this, cause they are not under oath. They can basically say anything and change their story.
I hope someone can forward this incident and the aftermath to the government agency in charge with the current oversight in place since the May 1st incident. Show them that things haven't really changed.
User1 responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
06.25.09 - 11:41 am
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following up on these LAPD stonewalling and fibs with the inspector general would be great. I'm sure the LAPD was pretty bummed that the consent decree has not been lifted.
Also great comments by DJ WHeels. man... I cant thank you enough for your work in locating the criminal who ran from my accident...
Roadblock responding to a
comment by User1
06.25.09 - 11:47 am
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WTF is up with the Hummer Coverup?
When I heard the cop's version I was aghast!
I didn't know all the details but just as I got a fart face when all the WMD bullshit was being shoveled to start the Iraq war ... I was equally fart-faced when this Jackoff form LAPD tries to say that
a) collision was caused bt cyclist rearending hummer leading cyclists to surrouded the hummer and start screaming at the driver.
b) some cyclist threw a bike at the hummer
c) cyclists threw their bikes in front of hummer
d) then the hummer drove 1 block away and waited for the police to show up.
(as if 1 block is a logical get away from a pack of angry cyclists even on foot)
while a and b are on the way outer fringe of plausibility
c) makes no fucking sense whatsover.
A group of cyclists threw their bikes in front of a giant truck?
To make some sort of a road block?
Its almost comical how fucking stupid that sounds.
I have seen all manner of stupid shit and I have never witnessed somebody throwing their bike in front of a car in an effort to stop it ... let alone a giant monstrosity that is designed for driving OVER giant obstacles.
My thanks and gratitude go out to those who showed up. Most especially the eye witnesses to this event who were able to contradict the LAPD's ridiculous testimony.
It would have been an extremely depressing day without you.
There must be a way to undo this insane police report which has already decided that a hit-n-run driver in front of 12+ witnesses is A-OK, but godmman we must be vigilant in finding a mysterious cyclist that picked up their beloved mode of transportation, hurled it at a gigantic vehicle ... damaging only the mirror.
This is fucking insane.
This police report smells like a hummer sized pile of crap.
This must not stand.
trickmilla06.25.09 - 12:04 pm
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hahah awesome review.... don't forget, the report STILL HAS NOT BEEN PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL BY THE LAPD AS WAS REQUESTED 3 EFFIN MEETINGS AGO. What are they trying to hide???? It's just so fucking simple to provide a police report, unless of course our government is a broken piece of trash.
as it is, it's the police cover-up and waffling about the as of yet to be presented report is the HUMMER sized pile of crap. someone get the LAPD a hummer sized enema cause they are full of SHIT
Roadblock responding to a
comment by trickmilla
06.25.09 - 12:14 pm
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funny that the digital age is making things so hard for government and the cops.
GOVERNMENT 2.0 is here. the detective on my case was also surprised when I told her I had pictures of my bike and myself at the scene of the crime. "you always carry a camera?" why is that surprising? dont most people now addays even if its' a cell phone camera?!
Roadblock06.25.09 - 12:30 pm
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Im going to start videotaping the bigger rides too--not for fun, but to ensure that if a driver or cop wants to endanger people, that justice is served. If we had a camera on barchops last night, we could have avoided all of those tickets.
tortuga_veloce06.25.09 - 1:01 pm
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i wonder if the driver of the hummer is related to someone in the LAPD. Would make sense for their total lack of regard. I seriously doubt this is due to blatant ineptitude to do their job.
If so, the only way to beat this would be to keep bringing the pressure and ratchet it up everytime so that an investigation would expose the coverup for what it is.
bleh
jchungerford06.25.09 - 3:43 pm
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That's James Ellroyland...
..isn't it?
alicestrong responding to a
comment by jchungerford
06.25.09 - 5:01 pm
reply
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Ridazz Roulette!
