Posted on 07/28/2005 9:44:45 AM PDT by DuckFan4ever
Some bicyclists in North Portland were so upset about the St. Johns Bridge rehab that they protested by pedaling across the bridge -- in the buff.
Coined the "Buff on the Bluff," last week's protest was meant to draw publicity to the plight of cyclists traversing the four-lane bridge. The cyclists want the Oregon Department of Transportation to consider striping the bridge with two vehicle lanes instead of four and add two bike shoulder lanes on each side. The Friends of Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association backs the suggestion.
The sidewalk on the bridge is too narrow for both pedestrian and bicycle traffic, protestors say, and sharing one of the four lanes with big cars and trucks is much too dangerous.
As a result, "We are forced to extreme measures to be safe and seen," according to the Buff on the Bluff protest letter. "We ride together, en masse and undressed, to literally demonstrate the naked vulnerability with which ODOT expects us to travel this bridge."
So on a pleasant sunny Tuesday evening, 14 cyclists met near the University of Portland under a shady tree, says Allan Folz, a software engineer who organized the protest. A university security officer rode by on a bike and asked that if they disrobed, could they please do so elsewhere.
No problem, Folz,32, said. They rode to the post office a few blocks away to undress.
"You can't even tell the difference," Folz said of cycling nude.
Clumped together, the protestors took up a full lane both ways across the bridge. Aside from a few annoyed motorists, Folz said, the cyclists mostly received cheers and honks of support. A couple of cops standing in front of North Precinct clapped and waved, he said.
Too little, too late, was the ODOT response.
"We appreciate and acknowledge their concerns, but the decision has been made," said Dave Thompson, an ODOT spokesman. Restriping of the bridge could occur as early as next week, and its four lanes will reopen shortly thereafter, Thompson said.
Got a tip about crime, nuisance activity, traffic woes and other threats to safety and livability where you live? How about a story about successfully fighting crime? A strange or humorous police call? Boaz Herzog: 503-412-7072; boazherzog@news.oregonian.com
Great, now I have "Fly Me to the Moon" stuck in my head. :-)
I've been trying to get Dasher to protest congested skies by flying naked, but no luck so far.
Oregon Ping
While a good idea on the face of it, it may work in the reverse as it may make the skies more congested.
"Dasher's flying today? Outta my way boys!"
;-)
Supposedly, yes!
I actually have a friend who flies naked. He's insane though. I guess that's not what you guys were thinking about.
Oh well....sorry...
"I actually have a friend who flies naked."
The looks on the stewardess' face would be priceless. Where would she look?
Not that I'm bragging, but I would have problems riding a bike, in the nude! LOL
And I'm sure Laceybrooke is very proud! :-)
Well, I was going to suggest a few loops and rolls, but now that you've given my your friend's visual, forget it! That's NOT good naked! ;-)
LOL!!!
Different type of flying... I would absolutely love to see him try that on a commercial plane - LOL...
I'll need to ask him about it... He's usually a gamer.
He should do it. If the stewardess asks him where his clothes are, he could say he stored it safely in the overhead compartment.
It would be a hoot if he could keep a straight face (oh, and not get arrested.)
Sounds a lot safer than nude cycling...unless someone is grabbing his joy stick
LOL, well.. I can't say anything about sanity or lack thereof myself.
GAAH!
LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.