Malcolm, Gary
Personally I think fixies SHOULD have brakes for street usage...but
REQUIRED? There are plenty of rules already... just ask your local building
contractor.
Besides as Mr. Ginsberg pointed out in TFA : The law does not state a
difference between disc, clincher, or chain brakes and the Judge seems to
have completely forgotten that hands use muscles too. The funniest part was
the judge/cop asking, "what if your legs were cramping?." I guarantee if
your legs stop working on a fixie you WILL come to a complete stop rather
quickly :)
Gary
-----Original Message-----
From: GEORGE SCHRECK [mailto:gschreckchat@hughes.net]
Sent: July 28, 2006 11:00 AM
To: tokarev1@ix.netcom.com; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Multnomah County Judge's Ruling: Fixed-gear Bikes
MustHave a Brake
1. I do not see why someone would be resistant to a brake. Although they
may be able to stop without one, there may be panic situations where a brake
would be helpful. If it turns out that they never need it, I consider that
good news for them.
2. If we wish to have the rights as vehicles, we should comply with the
rules that apply to vehicles like functioning brakes and lights at night
(not ot mention obeying stop signs and traffic lights).
----Original Message----
From: tokarev1@ix.netcom.com
Date: 07/28/2006 10:19 AM
To:
Subj: Re: [OBRA Chat] Multnomah County Judge's Ruling: Fixed-gear Bikes
MustHave a Brake
That was very interesting to read!
I side with Mark and the messenger here and thought Mark's cross examination
was great!
I believe that one can be completely safe on a brakeless fixie. I have taken
a few rides
with Zac Kovalcik and am amazed by his ability on the brake free machine. I
myself have
two brakes on my fixed gear bicycle. :)
I predict that there will be tremendous resistance from the brakeless crowd
about having
to put a brake on their ride. Even if they never have to use it it wont do
anything harmful
to their job or bike. I am afraid that the only harm will be to their sense
of fashion and would
hate for all fixies, brakes or not, to be outlawed!!
-Keith
-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]On
Behalf Of Curt Dewees
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 9:56 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Multnomah County Judge's Ruling: Fixed-gear Bikes
MustHave a Brake
This account included blow-by-blow testimony from the judge, police officer,
and the defendant's lawyer (some dude named Mark Ginsberg?
http://bikeportland.org/2006/07/28/judge-finds-fault-with-fixies/