The Chainlink

Biking Through Street Fairs (Please Don't)

I work set-up and take-down crew for a lot of the near west summer street fairs, and I see some dangerous behavior that I'd like to point out.  I know how it is:  You're biking along and the street is closed, but it's late at night, and--hey--I'm on a bicycle, and I can go right through!  Before you do, though, please think twice about your own safety and that of others.

 

If it's a Friday night or a Sunday night (typically--your results may vary), what is happening on that street is that a lot of heavy equipment is moving around; there are no traffic rules inside the street fair area; parts of the street are completely blocked; and (most important) NO ONE is looking for bicycles.  They are all trying to get their jobs done and go home and get some sleep. 

 

I've seen a lot of bikers get themselves into stupid situations inside a street fair take-down.  Not only that, but the bikes are a potential hazard for the people working there.  So, please, take the one-block detour.  Or walk your bike.  (I know--We all hate to walk the bike.)  Or ride slowly on the sidewalk.  Or at least be aware of the risk you are taking.  I don't want to be the one offering first aid or calling 911. 

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 6, 2011 at 4:14pm
Lisa is absolutely right.  It's a LOT safer for you and the set-up/teardown crews if you walk through or take a different route.
Permalink Reply by Serge Lubomudrov on June 6, 2011 at 4:18pm
I'm waiting for a "libertarian" opinion here, something like: "Screw the fest, it's MY street, and I'm riding through, and if you don't like it, it's just too bad."
Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on June 6, 2011 at 4:21pm
It's funny how the More Wheels Are Dickish To Fewer Wheels principle of cars to bikes remains intact when applied from bikes to pedestrians.
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 6, 2011 at 4:39pm
Serge, I'm really surprised at you . . .

Serge Lubomudrov said: "Screw the fest, it's MY street, and I'm riding through, and if you don't like it, it's just too bad."
Permalink Reply by Serge Lubomudrov on June 6, 2011 at 5:09pm
It's not what I said. It's what I think some people would/will say . . .

H3N3 said:
Serge, I'm really surprised at you . . .
Permalink Reply by Davo on June 6, 2011 at 5:31pm
come on H3N3 I'd go easy on Serge after you said this: ;P

H3N3 said:
"That's the best part of the street fests I can really fly those couple of blocks."
Permalink Reply by Lisa Gordon on June 6, 2011 at 7:05pm
Of course the "libertarian" view from the crew that I've heard is, "You can't save people from themselves."  Obviously, I don't believe that, or I wouldn't have posted....
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 6, 2011 at 11:08pm
Whoa, Davo, that's harsh ;-)

Davo said:
If a large piece of machinery gets in my way I'll just hop over it. The real problem is cyclists who don't have the mad skillz I have and overestimate their abilities.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 6, 2011 at 11:09pm
Funny, I just heard that song on 95.5 a few hours ago :-)

Serge Lubomudrov said:
I'm crazy with my tiger!
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 7, 2011 at 6:57am
Why the bashing on Libertarians?
Permalink Reply by Davo on June 7, 2011 at 11:49am
I forgot to mention about how I do track stands on the ice cream trailers.

H3N3 said:
Whoa, Davo, that's harsh ;-)

Davo said:
If a large piece of machinery gets in my way I'll just hop over it. The real problem is cyclists who don't have the mad skillz I have and overestimate their abilities.

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on June 7, 2011 at 2:09pm
They were in the way & I overestimated my hopping ability

James Baum said:
Why the bashing on Libertarians?

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