CritMass on WGN tomorrow morning

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by C.R. on October 3, 2011 at 7:09pm

And just one last comment, as my browser kept messing up.  If we do have several thousand more bikes on the road next year with a majority of the people riding these bikes being tourists or suburbanites.. Who don't have a good understanding that they need to keep an eye out from being a victim of a dooring, or to be paranoid on certain roads where people make a right and cut u off because they are busy txting..  Well I hope they make it mandatory to rent one of those bikes that you have a good life insurance/ health insurance policy.  And unfortunately, these "accidents" will likely continue to be last page material, swept under the rug for whatever pop event they feel sells new. 

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Permalink Reply by Bernard Joseph Hannigan on October 3, 2011 at 7:41pm

Quite frankly, it is beneath us to even discuss this Rowan twit...Chicago "gets" bicycling...Even more to our advantage, Rahm "GETS" bicycling, we will see great strides under his tenure.... (and Rahm, I can get it done QUICKER as your Bicycle ad/ marketing czar, as I am an impatient, result orientated asshole like you, give me a call.)...Those of us who are here LOVE bicycling, it is part of our lives.

 

We are a world class city, I would love to see us become like many cities in Europe where cycling is like breathing, a way of life....Critical Mass is an EVERYDAY event across the pond...Here is a slick commercial, but take note of the amount of bicycles and structure...Can you imagine this?...I can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWamhwhRiCs

 

Forget the Rowan's of the world and simply move forward with our love of bicycling, his unsold books will soon become recycled fodder, while we cycle forward with the sun, wind, and a smile on our collective soul.

 

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Permalink Reply by Justin B Newman on October 4, 2011 at 10:58am

I disagree with the assertion that tourist injuries will be last page material.

 

I'm new to Chicago, but in most places tourist injuries are anything but...

 

-jbn

Cort R. said:

And just one last comment, as my browser kept messing up.  If we do have several thousand more bikes on the road next year with a majority of the people riding these bikes being tourists or suburbanites.. Who don't have a good understanding that they need to keep an eye out from being a victim of a dooring, or to be paranoid on certain roads where people make a right and cut u off because they are busy txting..  Well I hope they make it mandatory to rent one of those bikes that you have a good life insurance/ health insurance policy.  And unfortunately, these "accidents" will likely continue to be last page material, swept under the rug for whatever pop event they feel sells new. 

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Permalink Reply by bryan on October 4, 2011 at 11:07am

ugh! this fucking Rowan troll again?

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on October 4, 2011 at 1:10pm

The guy is not a cycling advocate, he is a schmuck who is exploiting a trend and, probably, a connection in publishing.

 

I cannot wait to get his book in the mail; expect a full review and a campaign by me to comment on every single thing this man says anywhere.  90% of my ill will on the internet has a new target.

 

I still want to know if anyone has ever seen this man at a Chicago cycling event.

 

Liz said:

UGH! There is no one that man could ever claim to be "pro cycling" 

 

Why Rowan is anti other cyclists:

 

a) complaining that his cab fair went from $8 to $25 because of critical mass, why wasn't he cycling to his destination if he's such a hardcore rider?  

 

b) Repeated that saying "Happy Friday" is equal to flipping someone off. 

 

c) called people who ride in mass "lunatics" 

 

d) Was hesitant to defend people turning left when someone wants to turn left. After he finally stated that taking the left lane when turning left was correct, he continued on that motorist didn't understand the rule because cyclist antagonize motorists and cyclist should avoid busy streets. 

 

e) Didn't defend the hosts prolomations that streets are for cars.  

 

Ugh I hate listening to that bullshit. 

 

Who the f**** does this guy know/is related to that he keeps getting publicity. 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on October 4, 2011 at 3:42pm

I'm just speculating here, but it wouldn't surprise me if approximately two hours ago, Scott Rowan heard a faint tearing sound, as though a tiny rip had begun to form in his universe, followed by a gust of chill air, unseasonably cold for such a fine, warm autumn day, and then a little twinge in his chest as the hair on the back of his neck stood up... He no doubt shook it off as just a coincidence, or his mind wandering... Yeah, that's it! The hours he's keeping shamelessly promoting his new blockbuster tome. A good night's rest will take care of everything. Yeah, I'll feel better tomorrow...

He's wrong. He just doesn't know it yet.

notoriousDUG said:

[snip]

 

 90% of my ill will on the internet has a new target.

 

[snip]

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Permalink Reply by Liz on October 4, 2011 at 4:54pm

Doug, 

 

Here is some interesting information found on the wed posted by Mr jerk face

 

He complains about bike cops, simply because they wrote him a ticket for breaking the law:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=705522&l=a744219d61&i...

 

Also in his blog, rejoices when TDF riders are sent flying into barbed wire fences, because otherwise professional cycling is "boring, antiquated and, thanks to endless drug accusations, insignificant  - just like professional wrestling" in his opinion. 

http://www.chicagonow.com/urban-cyclist/2011/07/tour-de-france-is-w...

 

His earlier posts show some serious issues with any "lance armstrong wannabes"

http://www.chicagonow.com/urban-cyclist/2011/07/self-righteous-cycl...

 

And the "expert" he had "conversations" with on road rage and uses to blame cyclists for "causing" road rage, without linking to actually published studies has a terribly organized website that keeps referring to one incident in which a cyclist shot a motorist after an accident. 

http://www.drdriving.org/pedestrians/bicycling.htm

 

He also wants to "turn his seat around" because he doesn't like his saddle

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=141021269279983&am...

 

Also his twitter account lacks any references to cycling ever prior to his announcement that he's writing a book about the subject. 

http://twitter.com/#!/ScottRowan

 

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Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on October 4, 2011 at 5:18pm

I read the one about his ticket...for not having his dog on a leash. The comments to him on that Blog are  spot on. It seems as though he is alienating himself from the Cycling And the Dog community.

Liz said:

Doug, 

 

Here is some interesting information found on the wed posted by Mr jerk face

 

He complains about bike cops, simply because they wrote him a ticket for breaking the law:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=705522&l=a744219d61&i...

 

Also in his blog, rejoices when TDF riders are sent flying into barbed wire fences, because otherwise professional cycling is "boring, antiquated and, thanks to endless drug accusations, insignificant  - just like professional wrestling" in his opinion. 

http://www.chicagonow.com/urban-cyclist/2011/07/tour-de-france-is-w...

 

His earlier posts show some serious issues with any "lance armstrong wannabes"

http://www.chicagonow.com/urban-cyclist/2011/07/self-righteous-cycl...

 

And the "expert" he had "conversations" with on road rage and uses to blame cyclists for "causing" road rage, without linking to actually published studies has a terribly organized website that keeps referring to one incident in which a cyclist shot a motorist after an accident. 

http://www.drdriving.org/pedestrians/bicycling.htm

 

He also wants to "turn his seat around" because he doesn't like his saddle

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=141021269279983&am...

 

Also his twitter account lacks any references to cycling ever prior to his announcement that he's writing a book about the subject. 

http://twitter.com/#!/ScottRowan

 

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Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on October 4, 2011 at 7:33pm

Well one of the big things is how much he plays up the Incredible Danger of cycling, talking about the countless times he's been in crashes (we all take our licks but he's got way more than normal), his book (calling itself a 'survival guide') has a bike crash on the cover, etc, all of which demonstrably makes fewer people want to ride, and the number one consistent predictor of bicycle safety is more people on bikes.

Liz said:

Why Rowan is anti other cyclists:

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Permalink Reply by Davo on October 5, 2011 at 12:54pm

I think he should try pinting the front of his saddle up. Maybe that would dislodge the broomstick that is already up there.

 

Seriously this guy is a "cyclist" and is thinking about turning the saddle around. Has anyone ever heard of this other than just to be silly?

 

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Permalink Reply by Sue Clark on October 5, 2011 at 12:58pm

I'm wondering who he sees as his target market. He's alienating people who do bike in the city. I don't see car drivers who espouse his views to be likely to purchase his book.

It seems that per his views, if 1000 cars take to the road it's transportation (and probably a traffic jam). If 1000 bikes take to the road it's an illegal assembly that keeps moving.

Whatever he's selling (ideas as well as books), I'm not buying.

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