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
Nude bicyclists leave track marks!!
Ping....
Then I feel sorry for Mrs. Folz.
I dunno - biking just seems like one of those things that wouldn't look particularly good in the nude...
Whoa... what is that all over that guy's bike seat??
Rain, hail, bugs..
Heh heh heh...
I swear this isn't my fault.
I SWEAR it!
"In support of their proposal they've created a $20 billion fund to help pay for delays and cost overages experienced by businesses that use the bridge." /sarcasm
That would essentially double the time to cross the bridge for motor traffic during times of traffic congestion. It would create a situation where 4 lanes of traffic have to squeeze together into two lanes, and now we're talking major backups at rush hour.
For the motorists, anyway. The bicyclists will zip right on past. And that's OK by the bike riders, because they are mostly comprised of "it's all about me" transplanted Californians.
I'd give this plan about a week before frustrated drivers start killing bicyclists...
It's clowns like this that make me embarrassed to admit that I'm a cyclist.
time for seat covers.....
It that Lance?
Or be particularly comfortable.
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Bicycle races are coming your way So forget all your duties oh yeah! Fat bottomed girls they’ll be riding today So look out for those beauties oh yeah On your marks get set go! |
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