Thursday, October 20, 2011

OCCUPY Burlington!


Revolution's in the air!

Burlington's ripe for its own revolution - a bicycling revolution!

Shamelessly copied from Tweed Ride Victoria.  Something to bring out the cyclists in Burlington.

Tweed Washington, DC
"Tweed Rides are a worldwide phenomena, started in London in the fall of 2009 as The Tweed Run London. The organizers thought that it would be fun to have a slower-paced “cosmopolitain ride with a bit style”. So they dressed in tweeds, rode their bikes through London streets and raised money for bicycles for African Children – Bikes 4 Africa.


Tweed Portland
What is Tweed Ride Victoria?


It is a group bicycle ride through the centre of Victoria, in which the cyclists are encouraged to dress in classic tweed or any smart looking outfit. Any effort made to recreate the spirit of a bygone era is also always appreciated. Any and all bicycles are acceptable on the Tweed Ride."

Link to videos of tweed rides.
Tweed Ride gear.
Won't take a 7 page staff report examining the cities hosting Tweed rides across North America.  No need for a council document outlining the obstacles, potential pitfalls, requirement for policing, barriers and taxpayer funding, advanced committee and stakeholder planning etc. 


Just a dozen or two, bicycling Burlingtonians, dressed with their handlebar moustaches bicycling leisurely across Burlington!  Would be a great annual event!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

iVeni, iVidi, iVici .......

Think Different.  Oct. in NYC.
He inspired legions.  Many say Steve Jobs changed the world.

I've never used an Apple, iPhone or Mac but I know we can learn from Steve Jobs.

He is what Malcolm Gladwell terms an "outlier," maybe the furthest along the curve.  His adherence to simplicity, unrelenting determination, steadfast vision and excellence are the things we can take away to make it better.
In some ways, the current cadre of Burlington Cycling Committee members reflect a very small portion of the values Steve Jobs possessed in abundance.

Often we swim against the tide.  We see things that others do not.  We are vocal and demonstrative. Where others see the status quo as sufficient, we seek progress.  We see improvements that were made and wonder why they weren't done better, safer, faster.  Sometimes we are difficult to work with, harder to appease.  We dislike backing down when we feel we are right!  We'll rock the boat if its necessary, and we won't be ignored.  In cycling safety, good enough is a poor substitute for a better way.

Steve Jobs wanted to "put a ding in the universe."  He succeeded.  The cycling committee wants to put its own "ding" into Burlington, transforming it into a better, safer bicycling community benefiting all.  If one man can change the world, surely, the BCC vision will leave its mark on Burlington for future generations of cyclists.
      
Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.