The CBC radio news has a report today mentioning this tragic consequence of a door prize in the context of bike month. Nancy Kendrew at Urbane has a solid quote about cyclists being far more at risk from errors than the car-cooned.
Thank you for wishing to come along for the ride. The tradition at ARC has been to hold the memorial about a week after the tragic event for various reasons. I will suggest though to have more memorials on weekends if possible. We wish to have as many people as possible attend but realize that no time may be best for everyone.
We will ride you in spirit.
;-)
I cannot think of a worse time (when most people are awake) to hold this sort of event. If you're going to hold this event a week after the incident then why not hold it in the evening when people are back from work? That's when the vast majority, ie. mainstream, of people are available.
The only ones who seem to be available at 9 am are...well, I don't know what the term is...bohemians? artsy types? I don't mean to be disparaging here nor am I here to insult anyone but conducting such a ride at such a time could almost be interpreted as exclusionary.
I remember attending the Now Magazine bike meeting last year and I looked around and all I saw were the typical white, young, radical, hippieish, bohemian types. Not one was an immigrant, not one was a suit, not one was a soccer mom type. I've heard tell of people complaining that Toronto's bicyclists are too fragmented, well, when you hold an event such as this at such a time it does nothing to bring people together.
Well, the original plan was to have the event in the evening on Thursday. That resulted in many requests to change the evening time since the time conflicted with the bike union fundraiser and reps from the Bike Union wished to come along. It's not meant to exclude anyone but we realize that the time is not convenient for some. For this we apologize.
If you want to organize another memorial on the weekend I will ride with you. Deal?
As for myself, I am personally taking time off work to attend. Btw, I am a landed immigrant though not a visible minority.
I would have held the memorial ride before or after the fundraiser. You would have killed two birds with one stone; you have a bunch of likeminded cyclists from the union and you would also have those mainstreamers home from work who want to observe this man's death. Greater exposure for the union and a much larger ride that's more inclusive.
The only ones who seem to be available at 9 am are...well, I don't know what the term is...bohemians? artsy types? I don't mean to be disparaging here nor am I here to insult anyone but conducting such a ride at such a time could almost be interpreted as exclusionary.
Reexamine that contention and you'll find it's far from...er...ironclad.
There's a large contingent of workers and cyclists who rarely, if ever, adhere to a steady 9 - 5 schedule. They would staffing the service and retail sector, contractors, tradesmen, and blue collar shift workers (that would be me). This is just a simple fact of living and working today.
Never in 25 years worth of jobs have I been a Nine To Fiver; and notwithstanding a few masterpieces, products of a Grade 2 finger painting class, I humbly reject the 'artsy' label.
As for the crowd frequenting NOW functions, what did you expect: investment bankers, quantum physicists or journeyman tool and die makers? Every media organ has its constituency and NOW's rides bikes too. If a Chinese language daily organizes a convocation of its readers don't be surprised if there are no Rastafarians in attendance.
Most people have a certain amount of flexibility in their work schedules to come in late & work late, take work home, use "personal" days or similar, or have someone else cover (part/all) their shift. A few don't. For many people the use of this flex time is reserved for "family" matters, ie taking care of sick kids or other family members, Doctors appointments, etc. For some people, an issue like this is high enough of a priority that they will come out. And we say a big "thank you" to those people who do show up for whatever reason that they can.
Besides the strange hours that at least some people work, most people have a certain amount of flexibility in their work schedules to come in late & work late, take work home, use "personal" days or similar, or have someone else cover (part/all) their shift. A few don't. For many people the use of this flex time is reserved for "family" matters, ie taking care of sick kids or other family members, Doctors appointments, etc. For some people, an issue like this is high enough of a priority that they will come out.
I understand that not everybody can make this enough of a priority to come out. But we really appreciate those who can, and we pass our thanks to you for being there, even if our affairs are arranged in such ways that we could not.
Ghost bike
Comments
Martin Reis (not verified)
Memorial Ride Thursday Details
Tue, 05/27/2008 - 10:41This ride is for he cyclist killed on Eglinton & Braemar last week.
hamish (not verified)
thanks for this
Tue, 05/27/2008 - 11:06The CBC radio news has a report today mentioning this tragic consequence of a door prize in the context of bike month. Nancy Kendrew at Urbane has a solid quote about cyclists being far more at risk from errors than the car-cooned.
Ryan Marr (not verified)
week days
Tue, 05/27/2008 - 12:27I'd love to participate in this, but I have a job! Why are events like this always on weekdays? Is it not possible for these to happen on a weekend?
I don't mean to bash the event, I only say this because I'd like to participate and am frustrated that I'll be at work.
Martin Reis (not verified)
Memorials & Timings
Tue, 05/27/2008 - 15:00Hi Ryan,
Thank you for wishing to come along for the ride. The tradition at ARC has been to hold the memorial about a week after the tragic event for various reasons. I will suggest though to have more memorials on weekends if possible. We wish to have as many people as possible attend but realize that no time may be best for everyone.
We will ride you in spirit.
;-)
IronMac (not verified)
Worst Time Ever!
Wed, 05/28/2008 - 08:04I cannot think of a worse time (when most people are awake) to hold this sort of event. If you're going to hold this event a week after the incident then why not hold it in the evening when people are back from work? That's when the vast majority, ie. mainstream, of people are available.
The only ones who seem to be available at 9 am are...well, I don't know what the term is...bohemians? artsy types? I don't mean to be disparaging here nor am I here to insult anyone but conducting such a ride at such a time could almost be interpreted as exclusionary.
I remember attending the Now Magazine bike meeting last year and I looked around and all I saw were the typical white, young, radical, hippieish, bohemian types. Not one was an immigrant, not one was a suit, not one was a soccer mom type. I've heard tell of people complaining that Toronto's bicyclists are too fragmented, well, when you hold an event such as this at such a time it does nothing to bring people together.
Whew...what was in that tea?
tino
Memorial Time
Wed, 05/28/2008 - 11:31Well, the original plan was to have the event in the evening on Thursday. That resulted in many requests to change the evening time since the time conflicted with the bike union fundraiser and reps from the Bike Union wished to come along. It's not meant to exclude anyone but we realize that the time is not convenient for some. For this we apologize.
If you want to organize another memorial on the weekend I will ride with you. Deal?
As for myself, I am personally taking time off work to attend. Btw, I am a landed immigrant though not a visible minority.
IronMac (not verified)
Hrmm..
Wed, 05/28/2008 - 15:58I would have held the memorial ride before or after the fundraiser. You would have killed two birds with one stone; you have a bunch of likeminded cyclists from the union and you would also have those mainstreamers home from work who want to observe this man's death. Greater exposure for the union and a much larger ride that's more inclusive.
Martin Reis (not verified)
Fine
Wed, 05/28/2008 - 18:24Fine. You do it next time.
Martin Reis (not verified)
By the way
Wed, 05/28/2008 - 18:39The Bike Union specifically asked to NOT have the memorial held before their event.
Luke Siragusa
Think again
Wed, 05/28/2008 - 19:36IronMac:
Reexamine that contention and you'll find it's far from...er...ironclad.
There's a large contingent of workers and cyclists who rarely, if ever, adhere to a steady 9 - 5 schedule. They would staffing the service and retail sector, contractors, tradesmen, and blue collar shift workers (that would be me). This is just a simple fact of living and working today.
Never in 25 years worth of jobs have I been a Nine To Fiver; and notwithstanding a few masterpieces, products of a Grade 2 finger painting class, I humbly reject the 'artsy' label.
As for the crowd frequenting NOW functions, what did you expect: investment bankers, quantum physicists or journeyman tool and die makers? Every media organ has its constituency and NOW's rides bikes too. If a Chinese language daily organizes a convocation of its readers don't be surprised if there are no Rastafarians in attendance.
anthony
flexible schedules
Thu, 05/29/2008 - 00:23Most people have a certain amount of flexibility in their work schedules to come in late & work late, take work home, use "personal" days or similar, or have someone else cover (part/all) their shift. A few don't. For many people the use of this flex time is reserved for "family" matters, ie taking care of sick kids or other family members, Doctors appointments, etc. For some people, an issue like this is high enough of a priority that they will come out. And we say a big "thank you" to those people who do show up for whatever reason that they can.
anthony
flexible schedules
Thu, 05/29/2008 - 04:02Besides the strange hours that at least some people work, most people have a certain amount of flexibility in their work schedules to come in late & work late, take work home, use "personal" days or similar, or have someone else cover (part/all) their shift. A few don't. For many people the use of this flex time is reserved for "family" matters, ie taking care of sick kids or other family members, Doctors appointments, etc. For some people, an issue like this is high enough of a priority that they will come out.
I understand that not everybody can make this enough of a priority to come out. But we really appreciate those who can, and we pass our thanks to you for being there, even if our affairs are arranged in such ways that we could not.