Comments on: Earl Blumenauer Kicks Off 2008 Bike Summit http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:55:42 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: SandraOmyOconner http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/comment-page-1/#comment-45994 SandraOmyOconner Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:20:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/#comment-45994 I recently had dreams of all the bridges in Portland collapsing and Earl Bluemanuer who lost his license due to a DUII several years ago and cannot ever drive a car again was speechless. I guess he cant swim either. I recently had dreams of all the bridges in Portland collapsing and Earl Bluemanuer who lost his license due to a DUII several years ago and cannot ever drive a car again was speechless. I guess he cant swim either.

]]> By: Glenn http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/comment-page-1/#comment-45521 Glenn Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:39:56 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/#comment-45521 I recently saw an old dark movie from 1959 called "On the Beach" where Australia is isolated as a nuclear war engulfs the Northern Hemisphere. The first thing that they have to adjust to is no oil or gasoline. The cars sit on the side of the road lifeless as everyone who can is on a bike and there are a few slow streetcars in the background. In some ways, it would almost be better to have a major shock in oil supply to re-adjust everyone's thinking about infrastructure. I work in the medical field so forgive my analogy, but it's like the difference between being in a car crash and having Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson's Disease. In the car crash, there is a traumatic event which injures you for life - but in most cases, you adjust to that injury and learn ways of living life that makes you happy - some people even say that the injury helped them slow down and enjoy life and appreciate the little things. In progressive MS or Parkinson's it is a slow decline over time and you never quite get to adjust to your current state because it pretty much always gets worse. If only we could admit that we need to make a change... I recently saw an old dark movie from 1959 called "On the Beach" where Australia is isolated as a nuclear war engulfs the Northern Hemisphere. The first thing that they have to adjust to is no oil or gasoline. The cars sit on the side of the road lifeless as everyone who can is on a bike and there are a few slow streetcars in the background.

In some ways, it would almost be better to have a major shock in oil supply to re-adjust everyone's thinking about infrastructure. I work in the medical field so forgive my analogy, but it's like the difference between being in a car crash and having Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson's Disease. In the car crash, there is a traumatic event which injures you for life - but in most cases, you adjust to that injury and learn ways of living life that makes you happy - some people even say that the injury helped them slow down and enjoy life and appreciate the little things. In progressive MS or Parkinson's it is a slow decline over time and you never quite get to adjust to your current state because it pretty much always gets worse.

If only we could admit that we need to make a change...

]]> By: Braddy http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/comment-page-1/#comment-45506 Braddy Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:09:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/#comment-45506 It took the U.S. 50 years to reach our present state car-centered development. What worries me is that it might take another 50 to transition onto something better. It took the U.S. 50 years to reach our present state car-centered development. What worries me is that it might take another 50 to transition onto something better.

]]> By: Mark http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/comment-page-1/#comment-45494 Mark Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:53:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/#comment-45494 This national conversation needs to get started. But there is a danger that road pork will push everything else off the agenda. When the consequences of peak oil are clearer ($5 or $10 gas, suburbanites stranded in their pods) then it will be a real conversation about real alternatives. This national conversation needs to get started. But there is a danger that road pork will push everything else off the agenda. When the consequences of peak oil are clearer ($5 or $10 gas, suburbanites stranded in their pods) then it will be a real conversation about real alternatives.

]]> By: shishi http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/comment-page-1/#comment-45491 shishi Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:10:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/05/earl-blumenauer-kicks-off-2008-bike-summit/#comment-45491 It is about time somebody starts talking about infrastructure issues. It is about time somebody starts talking about infrastructure issues.

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