Thursday, September 30, 2010

Tomorrow nite!: Tijuana's Paseo de Todos aka Everyone's Ride



Aside from the all the violence obsessively reported in the San Diego media, there are actually many amazing, important, and (unreported) progressive events taking place in Tijuana. For example, this Friday a very purposeful yet fun bike event--Paseo de Todos--will be taking place. Here's more info from my buddy:

Riders of Tijuana/San Diego

The fourth Paseo de TODOS (everyone's ride) will be taking place this friday, in which TODOS (every) bicycle group in Tijuana will be coming together to give each other strength to be able to peacefully change the way in which society perceives human mobility and transportation.

We will unite so that together we can look after the common good and to make a meaningful presence as a single collective. In general, bicyclists are upset because the measures of a government who claims to be in favor of the bicycle/biciclysts have not been taken in order to benefit the bicyclist, since the two bike paths from Tijuana (zona río y rosas magallón) are impossible to access via bicycles. The pseudo governmental support of such facilities is only used as a political scapegoat.

In the inauguration of the Rosas Magallón sports center, the mayor Jorge Ramos declared: "Today we are planting the seed of hope; today we are investing in making sports a tool that can allow us to keep our children and our young ones from the wrong path." However, without access for pedestrians or bicyclists, it is impossible and very unsafe to access these bike paths unless it is with the use of a vehicle. Children and young people are not able to drive.

The petitions that we have on our first phase are as follows:
A revision to the Rules of Transit.
A restructuring of the Public Transport system so that it is more efficient and not a headache for everyone (it seems impossible in our city, but if we do not unite we will be victims of this all of our lives)
Signaling/Signs that foster respect to the Pedestrian and the Bicyclist.

We believe that if we provide with more security to the urban bicyclist and the pedestrian, society will be even more trustful of riding bicycles more often, which will result in the reduction of traffic in the neighborhoods as well as downtown It is almost unbelievable that in a two-block stretch people have to drive a vehicle (for example: going to the store to get milk).
We invite you to be part of modernization and re-culturization of our city.
This is a world movement.
In Mexico it takes place in DF, Guadalajara, Puebla, Queretaro, Celaya, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Morelia.
In Baja California it takes place in Ensenada and Tijuana.
Friday August 6, 2010. 8pm. Plaza Santa Cecilia (The large Arch right at the end of revolución, near the pedestrian crossing.)
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Ride Details & Suggestions:

Prior
-Make sure that your bicycle is in good running condition.
-Bring patches and our tubes in order to fix a flat.
-Get together with friends and or family members to assist the ride.
-Involve yourself and join us as a volunteer.

During
-Use lights and reflectors on your body or your bicycle.
-Always ride on the indicated lane, try to yield to the vehicles whenever necessary.
-Help out during intersections, supporting the volunteers, remember that the Paseo es de TODOS (it is everyone's ride)
-Follow instructions of volunteers and law enforcement.
-Maintain order and respect towards motorists, pedestrians and other bicyclists.
-Avoid screaming things that could offend the integrity of others.
-Avoid littering.
-Avoid consuming drugs and alcohol during the ride.
-Pay attention while crossing intersections.
-Be responsible for minors that are riding and their education, or tell your mom/dad to take care of you.
-Remember that you are the only one responsible of your safety to transit the street and taking care of others helps you become a part of a harmonious society.
-Enjoy the ride.

After
Take advantage of the experience that you gained during the ride and share it with other bicyclists.

Remember:
-This ride is fun and festive, violent attitudes are not welcome.
-The motorist is a potential bicyclist...smile and explain to him that this is el Paseo de TODOS (everyone's ride) and thank him for waiting



It's great to see an event taking place in Tijuana that combines direct purposeful action, well-thought-out advocacy goals w/ clear objectives, and never forgets the importance of fun. If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong.

2 comments:

  1. Tijuana is experiencing a growing interest in urban cycling. During the spring and summer months, the city closes off a major boulevard from vehicles, turning it over to cyclists and pedestrians. And Derrik Chinn, "el turista libre", has been offering bicycle-based day trips to visitors.

    http://realtijuana.blogspot.com/2009/11/free-rein-street-is-yours.html
    http://realtijuana.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-trips-for-alternative-tourism.html

    It's very easy to bring your bicycle across the border into Tijuana. This event will make an ideal excuse for a visit and the local cyclists will be most appreciative to receive your cross-border solidarity.

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  2. Thanks for sharing. Great info. So true. What's happening in Tijuana for urban bicycling right now is amazing.

    We most certainly would be happy to share cross-border bike solidarity in both theory and practice. Have you heard of the transnational SD-->TJ bike crew Los Cruzadores? We've been participating in Los Cruzadores rides since 2006. We meet in downtown SD and ride to downtown TJ. The rides are a blast.

    We came out to the TJ Street Art Bike Tour organized by Turista Libre. The ride was absolutely amazing. It was one of the most fun times our crew ever had in TJ. What Derrik is doing is rad. Great guy.

    I've heard great things about the TJ Ciclovia. SD Streets For People is working on bringing a Ciclovia to SD.

    I wish the City of SD was a lot easier to work w/ for bicycle advocacy. Getting anything done by an office controlled by the mayor is like pulling teeth. The City of SD has a notorious reputation for feet-dragging, inefficiency, and maintaining the out-of-date status quo...This is, partially, why I think that free, Do It Yourself events like SD Critical Mass have become extremely popular here.

    Have fun tonite in TJ! Let's talk more.

    ReplyDelete