Saw this article in the NY Times with the headline "Activists fight green projects, seeing UN plot"
Evidently some members of the far right loony wing of the Tea Party have decided that bike lanes are a UN plot to overthrow the US government and ultimately "TAAAKE AWAAYYY OUR CAAAAAARS!
Yeah, I don't know about you, but how often have you received communications from the UN saying that we should advocate for better and safer bikes lanes so that the UN can take over the world? Personally I think the UN can barely run a peacekeeping mission successfuly, let alone the world.
I do understand that since the 50's when public space was chopped up and handed to drivers on a plate they've gotten accustomed to have the run of the place, and that they see any minor inconvenience (like slowing down and waiting to pass) as a violation of their "rights" But I have a right to safe operation on the roads too, and I don't get that from the UN, I get it from US law.
I have to wonder if the recent bike-punitive transportation bill from the House springs from this far right meme that green initiatives or progressive transportation measures are signs of the "socialist apocalypse"
If so, I think that a bunch of legislators need to adjust their tinfoil beanies.
oh yes, this is a frequent meme in philly.com article comments about bike lanes in the city. bike lanes apparently are a communist plot, paid for by tax paying car drivers (you know, cyclists don't pay taxes).
ReplyDeleteI was discussing this with my friend K yesterday. I remember hearing about this a few years ago when Denver was electing a Governor.
ReplyDeleteOne candidate was a Denver mayor who was supporting a loaner-bicycle plan (like they have in NY, DC, London, Paris, etc) and the challenger accused him of implementing shadow UN Initiatives. I just Googled "denver mayor agenda 21" and found this and this. (and by the way, you'll notice that the bikes are RED. you got that? RED as in.. you know..)
you couldn't make this stuff up.
Hey, careful about that! MY bike is red!
ReplyDeleteThe next thing you know, all this bike stuff might lead to dancing. If you grew up in the bible belt, you'll know what I'm talking about. There's some real Earls in this country . . .
ReplyDeleteI don't know why people draw such battle lines. I own and drive a car, I also commute by bike to my bus driving job. It seems like they don't want you to think for yourself. I own pants and shorts, I can look out the window and dress appropriately for the occasion. Gimme a break people and worry about whats in the food and water we all consume.
ReplyDeleteWow. Good info.
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