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The light (and dark) side of the bike

Neil | 01.07.2005 19:54 | G8 2005 | Analysis | Free Spaces

Two different groups of cyclists have descended upon Edinburgh today, the Make Poverty History cyclists in symbolic white, and another, angrier mass.

Make Poverty History cyclist on George IV bridge
Make Poverty History cyclist on George IV bridge

Angry cyclist holds up traffic on mound
Angry cyclist holds up traffic on mound

Make Poverty History cyclist on George IV bridge
Make Poverty History cyclist on George IV bridge

Angry cyclist holds up traffic on mound
Angry cyclist holds up traffic on mound

as above
as above

He hates the G8
He hates the G8

Make Poverty History cyclist on George IV bridge
Make Poverty History cyclist on George IV bridge

Angry cyclist holds up traffic on mound
Angry cyclist holds up traffic on mound

You are polluting our air!
You are polluting our air!

He hates the G8..
He hates the G8..


Two different groups of cyclists have descended upon Edinburgh today, the Make Poverty History cyclists in symbolic white, and another, angrier mass.

I rode in with the Make Poverty History cyclists this afternoon, cars beeped replies to the cheerful bells and horns of the escorted cyclists. Policemen held up traffic as we passed as cyclists thanked them and the stalled motorists.

This evening, I encountered a less well recieved bike rally, fewer in number ~20 or so, riding up George IV bridge. They turned towards the castle, stopped and U turned, riding down the Royal Mile past red lights. One car was physically impeded after it blew its horn (apparently they were late for a plane) and cursed with "You're polluting our air!" The cyclists were quickly across, but the atmosphere was decidedly tense. Notably today, there were no obvious police on hand.

There seems to be a light and dark side of the bike today, I hope tomorrow does'nt see the same on the march.

Neil
- e-mail: chunkymonky3@hotmail.com


Comments

Hide the following comment

Considerate Critical Mass

03.07.2005 21:05

With G8 summit in offing almost everyone expected some protests apart from a couple of taxi drivers and a 4x4 that hate bikes doing what they do the rest of the year. Some decided to use vehicles as a weapon until being boxed in. They all calmed down eventually - a bit of fun and freedom to a highly programmed event?

David


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