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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: Cyclists Shut Down the Gardiner</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?9767</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:05:30 PST</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title>Flu-Bird</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Too bad some irrate persons didnt take those jerks stupid bicycles are wrapped them around their stupid necks so they can wear unsial looking collars around their puny little necks]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c537994</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c537994</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:53:24 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>norm</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Sorry Joe, I've heard all the propaganda but I've also run into CM a few times when I'm walking or riding around trying to get somewhere, and while it may indeed be fun, blocking streets and running red lights is most definitely a "F- You" to everyone else.  It just generates ill will in a lot of the people they keep waiting, and that's an observation, not an opinion. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286823</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286823</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:26:38 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>o.s.</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I agree with a lot of you - that was a slightly too radical, irresponsible and dangerous event that perhaps did not make the point it was meant to. I assume that if you agree to participate in an event as such you assume the possibility of getting arrested. Presumably you as a radical activist are willing to take this risk. In the future, take over streets in the city that need bike lanes its a lot more effective. 

On the other hand, I thought this was just plane cool - to see this organic body of cyclists take over urban city planning is like seeing grass grow through asphalt. Its  very powerful and inspiring.  Its a sign that our city and our world is changing.

You guys are totally crazy, and I applaud  you for having the balls to merge onto the highway (dont do it again).   ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286766</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286766</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:08:05 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>aahhrrgg</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I'm surprised at the number of people who are surprised at the police (over)reaction.  If you follow the news, stay informed and keep your eyes and ears open, you will find that a significant proportion of our people in blue are little more than thugs, more interested in 'respect for the uniform' than respect for people or laws.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286655</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286655</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:57:45 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>joe</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Hey Ben,

Even though the Gardiner is not a 400 series highway, it and the QEW are "controlled access" roads - and it's illegal for bikes to go on them at any time.  

CM isn't an "f-you" to a non-cycling society ... it's a fun ride that shows non-cyclists the joys of cycling, and that we are valid road users... but taking a ride onto a highway IS an "f-you" - it's just a "let's stir sh** up" mentality.

Really - do you think any good will come of it?  One look at the majority of the reaction on this page or any other can tell you that this is seen as "crazy weirdos on bikes almost get themselves killed".

Contrast that to Bells on Bloor - where the overwhelming reaction has been "what a cool, fun-for-the-family event, and all for a good cause - bikelanes on Bloor!

See the difference?]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286637</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286637</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:23:33 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ben</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Hey Kev,

The Gardiner is not a 400 series highway.  It is maintained by the city.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286542</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286542</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:03:11 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>kevin breen</title>
<description><![CDATA[
well said "It's crap like this that gives cyclists a bad name", how stupid can 200 people be? bikes on a 400-series highways  are you kidding me? good thing no body was killed.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286527</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286527</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:46:13 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Elle Driver</title>
<description><![CDATA[
"You don't speak for other people?" Well then, I guess you're content to let others speak FOR you, and misrepresent you and your group with false and completely contradictory information. That's really unfortunate.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286520</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286520</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:09:02 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ben</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Joe,

I don't think that this action should be seen as a "f@_k you" to society.  As a well established member of the cycling community, you know that critical mass is an expression of cyclists concern for their own safety on a day-to-day basis and an expression of a desire for a more equitable sharing of the road.

As Tokyo said on that other local blog, this was a nonviolent protest that got lots of press for the issue at hand and should be seen as a success.

The real failure here was the sensationalistic reporting of the SUN.  Using inciting language like "rogue cyclists" and "block the gardiner" does too much to alter the direction of the debate, and can't be considered good journalism.  Their implication that Critical Mass has any strong association with the groups campaigning for Bike Lanes on Bloor is flat out wrong.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286519</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286519</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:08:42 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>joe</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Critical Mass is great when it sticks to downtown roads (ie. streets bikes are legally entitled to) and is a fun community ride for friends and families.

When it's horrible is when it does something like riding on the Gardiner as a symbolic "f-you" to a society dominated by car use and car culture.

Guess what happens when you give the finger to society?  It gives it right back to you... forget being involved (even nominally) which transportation policy changes if you act like a 12 year old with a chip on his shoulder.

Do you think City Hall or the Province, or Metrolinx or anyone with any influence to increase the role of bicycles on the streets of Toronto will have anything to do with "activists" who only really accomplish pissing people off rather than working towards constructive, co-operative change?]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286490</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286490</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:42:36 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>noni</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Wow. Just... wow. This was an incredibly reckless move. Set aside everything about the environment, whether or not bikes _should_ be allowed on the highway -- at this point in time, bikes are NOT supposed to be on the highway, and the motor vehicles who ARE on the highway are not expecting bikes to be there. It is damn lucky nobody got hurt while merging. Please, please find a better, SAFER way to get your message across. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286438</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286438</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:06:24 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>IG</title>
<description><![CDATA[
SOMEONE must have decided to go on the Gardiner, SOMEONE must have been leading the way.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286408</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286408</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:48:37 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Angus</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Surprisingly, today's Sunday Sun has a pretty good account.
http://www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2008/06/01/5737116-sun.html

Elle, I don't speak for other people - people have different views of what happened.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286386</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286386</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:56:51 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>shamez</title>
<description><![CDATA[
just a clarification for some of you out there, 

critical mass dose not have "leaders", it is a non-heirarchical bicycle club that is made up of whoever happens to be there...it exists in cities all over the world.  by its very own definition, the conglomeration of bikes (not unlike a school of fish) finds safety in numbers.

so please understand, montrealshorts and many others out there, that riding with several hundred other cyclists on the gardiner, one is far safer than waiting for a bus by the curb or trying to cross on the light at queen and spadina on any ordinary day. (cars are the leading cause of death in canadian schoolchildren, and one in 100 will die in an automobile accident)

and to you oh opinionated anonymous one, i doubt that something like this would ever happen again here, so please don't let it ruin your idea of what critical mass is usually like.  if you would LOVE to come out, how come you haven't already?  i suggest it is better to draw judgement from a diversity of thoughts on the subject instead of just spouting "you otta be arrested" type stuff one could expect to hear from a law & order lackey.  think about the woman in the volvo who sent a cyclist to his death because she couldn't be bothered to look over her shoulder.  perhaps she richly deserves the confines of a prison cell a little more, since she actually killed someone.

good luck with leading the charge on "non-idiot cycling advocacy"...chances are a lot of the "idiots" who were on this ride will be the first to support you.  more likely, you will never do anything beyond sending anonymous insults on web-blogs while your city and the biosphere descend into blight.

ps. i'm sorry that this happening drew the scorn of accordian guy...he's someone i have great respect and admiration for...i can only say that perhaps the experience of it as opposed to the toronto sun's reportage or the police officers version might have left you with less angry an opinion ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286383</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286383</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:44:50 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Elle Driver</title>
<description><![CDATA[
See, there it is again! Angus, you say it's "not a formalized protest", yet some of your more "hyperbolic" cohorts here plainly insist otherwise. They also claim that they were brutalized by "the pigs", yet you state that everything was mostly congenial. Which is it?

(And nobody's explained the "corking pedestrians" comment either.)

I realize that the event is open to anyone and everyone, and it's a shame that a few self-proclaimed "rebel" blowhard idiots have to sully what is otherwise an organization with good intentions. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286381</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286381</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:35:25 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Angus</title>
<description><![CDATA[
anon, there are no leaders or organizers for Critical Mass, you just show up. Nobody knows which route we're taking, it just falls into place.
There isn't a set agenda, it's not a formalized protest - just a nice ride with no problems over the last 10 years.
See everyone at the next one, they're held at 6:30 pm on the last Friday of every month. We start at the corner of Spadina and Bloor.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286376</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286376</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:15:01 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>montrealshorts</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Sorry that was in response to shamez, above.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286356</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286356</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:17:38 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>montrealshorts</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Right, waiting for a bus is comparable to going for a bike ride on the Gardiner.  

Now I see how this can all make sense to you.

I hope you're a child yourself, because this is about the level of judgement these people have shown.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286353</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286353</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:10:35 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Anon</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I'm a cyclist and I think everything should be done to make Toronto a more bike-friendly city.

I also think the leaders of the Critical Mass ride should have been arrested.  I would have been completely on the side of the police if they had done so.  Riding helmetless in the fast lane of the expressway is stupid and illegal.  I would LOVE to join the Critical Mass bike rides, but the utter stupidity of the leadership prevents me.  Is there anyone out there doing non-idiot bicycle advocacy?

Here's how to do non-idiot advocacy: stage a ride, and obey every single traffic law.  Including red lights, stop signs, lane markers, and the signs that says bicycles on freeways are prohibited.

Critical Mass suggestion: next time, just the leaders go (how about today?), and do your riding through Queens Park (to let the politicians know you mean business!).  Hopefully you'll achieve the ends you desperately deserve, a prison cell.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286348</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286348</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:07:08 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>IG</title>
<description><![CDATA[
They should have been given tickets and the organizers charged for endangering the lives of children.

<a href="http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/section5.0.shtml">http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/section5.0.shtml</a>]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286344</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cyclists_shut_down_the_gardiner/#c286344</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:49:27 PDT</pubDate>
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