Let’s Not Twist Once more And Say We Did – Bike Snob NYC

Bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, motor scooters, e-Citi Bikes, app-based meals supply, yadda yadda and so forth… Sure, vehicles stay probably the most harmful factor on the market, because the advocates will incessantly remind you, however solely probably the most obstinate New Yorkers refuse to acknowledge that the entire aforementioned issues have made strolling across the metropolis extra fraught lately. Advocates say it’s as a result of vehicles take up an excessive amount of area which ends up in battle, cranks say it’s as a result of bikes ought to be registered and their riders licensed, however happily one metropolis councilmember has a surefire resolution that requires none of that–a brand new PSA:

The “Sluggish Your Roll, Respect The Stroll” marketing campaign is already off to a implausible begin:

Not solely does it rhyme, however numerous advocacy teams are behind it:

By the best way, in contrast to the “Sluggish Your Roll…” marketing campaign, the supply employee minimal pay fee hike he refers to above is definitely promising, as a result of the concept right here is that the extra the supply staff are paid the much less they’ll should hustle, which can finally permit them to trip extra safely. It’s solely been just a few weeks or one thing, however true to kind Streetsblog is already calling it a hit:

I daresay it’s just a bit bit untimely to announce victory at this level, however maybe with sufficient incentives for meals supply individuals within the type of monetary incentives and advantages we will finally remove all urgency from the occupation altogether and induce USPS-level lethargy and apathy, thereby utterly neutralizing the menace. (And please don’t convey up postal shootings, there hasn’t been a type of since no less than 2022.)

As for PSAs, I’m far much less optimistic, and also you’d suppose no person in metropolis authorities remembers the Don’t Be A Jerk debacle of 2011:

Regardless of harnessing the star energy and comedy stylings of John Leguizamo, this marketing campaign didn’t succeed, and within the ensuing years there’s been a documented 468% enhance in jerky bike owner conduct.

Alas, the town by no means learns, and in February 2020 they went all in on puns after they launched the “Billy By no means Idles” marketing campaign:

This was forgotten in a matter of weeks as everybody began freaking out over the coronavirus and idling of their vehicles for hours on finish as they lined up for nasal swabs. Nonetheless, metropolis officers maintained they have been merely one musical artist-themed play on phrases away from ending all of the world’s issues, and in April of 2023 they created a brand new anti-dooring PSA involving Chubby Checker’s 1960 rendition of “The Twist:”

Was it merely the comfort of the title? Did knowledge point out that the demographic liable for the dooring are sufficiently old to recollect the tune? If the latter, it was a very misguided thought, since no person sufficiently old to have danced to “The Twist” continues to be bodily capable of flip their head whereas opening a automobile door. Regardless, the marketing campaign was such a failure that I didn’t even learn about it till I began scripting this submit–although it was extraordinarily profitable in that it made me notice that Chubby Checker continues to be alive, one thing I had not identified beforehand. The truth is you’ll be able to see him this month at Niagara Falls:

Good for him. Could he stay lengthy sufficient to someday door a bike owner in New York Metropolis, which might clearly be horrible, although it might even be the last word in irony, and even honest sport for laughter if the bike owner have been to return out of it unscathed.

Transferring on, whereas I could also be obsessing over the Jones, I’m additionally spending a number of high quality time with the Homer, although you’ll be able to see I’m form of having winter street bike withdrawal as I’ve eliminated the rear rack:

Additionally, I can’t make sure, however I feel the bars might now be a tiny bit decrease than the saddle. In Rivendell phrases, that’s tantamount to a slammed stem, in the identical manner that in Victorian instances this was principally pornography:

[NSFW…assuming you work as a 19th century scrivener.]

I like that bike. Between the Jones and the Homer this winter isn’t any match for me.

Talking of Rivendells, there’s one on this video:

I don’t imply to select on Get together Tempo Russ, however I used to be deeply traumatized by his try and take away his grips with out an air compressor:

At which he finally gave up and went to a motorbike store:

Most of you already know extra about bikes than me and it’s uncommon that I’m capable of assist, however please observe that for those who ever have to take away grips from a bicycle, all you need to do is the next:

• Stick one thing actually skinny between the grip and the handlebar. (He’s attempting to make use of zip ties nevertheless it’s a lot simpler for those who use one thing that doesn’t bend. I take advantage of a really small Allen key.)
• When you’ve received no matter it’s in there, simply lean the bike over and pour in some rubbing alcohol
• Give it just a few seconds then begin twisting (hat tip Chubby Checker) and I promise it’ll come proper off

You’re welcome. Now that’ll be $100.

Additionally, I had barely recovered from that trauma after I noticed he was utilizing a threadless stem adaptor on a Rivendell:

Look, I do know individuals ought to use no matter works for them. Virtually talking, there’s no cause to not use a threadless stem adapter if it yields the tip end result you need. Nevertheless–and that is simply my very own private hang-up–threadless stem adaptors make me extraordinarily uncomfortable, and so they make me trebly so on a Rivendell. Once more, that is simply me being a complete weenie, and I do know I sound like a typical Web commenter doofus, however I’m simply being trustworthy, and to me it’s like feeding a cat pet food.

I stated what I stated.