tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040287278533406061.post394398734519658819..comments2023-12-28T04:34:24.448+00:00Comments on Cycle Jerk: The BFF Review: Rise Of The Nesmith HipsterCycle Jerkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16110525076034840977noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040287278533406061.post-63470082219698040952009-12-22T22:13:19.519+00:002009-12-22T22:13:19.519+00:00In response to Mike from bicycleutopia - I don'...In response to Mike from bicycleutopia - I don't think it is valid to compare the immense and historic struggle for basic human rights, experienced by black people due to the immutable characteristic of their skin color (and the social and historical construction of race/political economy, etc.) or by women or culturally marginalized groups the world over to the struggle to get access to ride my bike.<br /><br />I see where you are going with your thoughts and you articulate them very well, clearly you've put a lot of thought into it. I'd just be careful bringing your mention of black people's and women's struggles into conversations about car culture as it's kinda touchy.<br /><br />That said, I am absolutely no apologist for car culture nor do I make excuses for drivers or transportation planners that marginalize cyclists. Nor do I ever agree with the victim blaming mentality that asks, "was she wearing a helmet" when a cyclist gets hit by a car.<br /><br />The point I will make though is that no matter what kind of bike you are riding, helmet or not, if you think it is even okay for a moment to fly through intersections, against traffic through crosswalks, and past pedestrians with no regard for other people's safety you are doing something wrong and entirely without justification. Seeing that particular film in the festival made me thing that those riding in such a dangerous and aggressive manner were exactly like the aggressive drivers that scare me when I am on my bike.dc dirtbagnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040287278533406061.post-68038039355652150262009-12-22T14:03:17.140+00:002009-12-22T14:03:17.140+00:00Mike - I see your point, but I don't need to i...Mike - I see your point, but I don't need to interview everyone at a crosswalk after witnessing a cyclist almost run down an old lady to make the assumption that most of their opinions of cyclists will be negatively effected.<br /><br />When non commuters ask me about biking to work they almost always tell a story about that one biker who blew through a red light and almost killed them, followed by a question like, "Can't you just ride on the sidewalk?"<br /><br />People make generalizations, it's a fact. (yes I see the irony, he he)Cycle Jerkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16110525076034840977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040287278533406061.post-68939652212483030402009-12-21T05:38:02.770+00:002009-12-21T05:38:02.770+00:00I agree with your comments on the speeding morons ...I agree with your comments on the speeding morons terrorizing pedestrians... <br /><br />But, why do you think that their behavior translates into bicyclists in general being poorly treated on USA roads, and in discussions of sane transportation options? <br /><br />I hear this claim all the time. Frankly, there's not a shred of evidence despite the (apparently) intuitive plausibility. Likewise, were often told that helmeted cyclists get more respect from motorists...for which there is no evidence, either. <br /><br />Fact is that bikes arent significant re: transporation in the USA even in big cities, or places like Portland. Bike hatred and ignorance and the inability of bikes to be treated on the road fairly is due to the car culture (and its many tentacles and forces). Recall that similar arguments were made to explain why uppity blacks or women had to wait so long to get legal rights...it had nothing to do with the oppressed groups and everything to do with the powers that be. <br /><br />Mike<br />bicycleutopia@yahoo.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040287278533406061.post-43849055414898429452009-12-15T16:44:05.783+00:002009-12-15T16:44:05.783+00:00i felt the exact same way after watching that film...i felt the exact same way after watching that film - for some reason the BFF keeps including these types of films in the program and it drives me crazy. it also makes me physically ill to watch. i loved how absolutely no one in the audience clapped for it.KTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040287278533406061.post-28000248692113098782009-12-12T21:04:36.320+00:002009-12-12T21:04:36.320+00:00Why you gotta make fun of the hat?Why you gotta make fun of the hat?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040287278533406061.post-68357992912411114402009-12-10T23:41:49.762+00:002009-12-10T23:41:49.762+00:00I think that including the film about the highspee...I think that including the film about the highspeed fixie riders nearly running over NYC pedestrians was a bit careless in a film festival where so much lip service was being given to bike advocacy organizations and the hard work they do to get bike lanes put in. I think it was pretty telling however that it was the only film that nobody clapped for.<br />I cringed when the one dude missed that 75 year old woman in the crosswalk by an inch. A collision with her could have killed her or caused her all sorts of serious injuries that would have fundamentally ruined her quality of life.<br />I still don't get it. Why do we give attention to and actually celebrate such crap? For next year they should look for more films that inspire people not to run over others.dc dirtbagnoreply@blogger.com