Comments on: San Francisco Requiring a Permit For Bring Your Own Big Wheel

By: Mike Kupietz

Mike Kupietz — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 08:32:26 +0000

It’s pleasing to see that both the cops and the event organizers were willing to soften their stances and agree on a reasonable compromise. Kudos to everyone involved.

By: Tom Price

Tom Price — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:42:07 +0000

Right, just to confirm, it’s been sorted with the federales, and we can now ride without having to navigate under police barricades, which would have been fun but would have made things very tricky indeed for those wearing large hats.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?entry_id=38325

So, come if you like, although it will probably be crowded. Bring a picnic for the lovely park right there. Ride the 53, will drop you almost on top of the race course. Chiotras Grocery on Rhode Island b/t 20/21st is very BW friendly. Stuff some money in the tip jar to cover the potties someone is bringing so you don’t have to go doodie in the bushes.

And then, when you leave, take EVERYTHING home with you, so we can do it again next year, and prove that in San Francisco we don’t have to outlaw people’s right to be stupid in public.

By: osc

osc — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:40:26 +0000

>>>I don’t see why they can’t get a permit.

Who is “they” and @ what cost is this permt?

By: Bill Jennings

Bill Jennings — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:22:05 +0000

I don’t see why they can’t get a permit. Isn’t the whole point of the permit to let the city know what’s going on, so they can organize appropriate police, traffic, trash pick-up, etc.? Don’t quite get the whole point of the “fuck you, we’re going to do our event anyway” attitude.

By: Mike Bolger

Mike Bolger — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:58:45 +0000

I don’t know if it’s been said before, but last years race seemed to be the perfect ratio of participants vs spectators. If you got there early you could take pictures and still get a good spot to watch the races. It was by far one of the more rewarding renegade type events of 2008.

Also, not sure if anyone else has commented on it, but SFPD was super fucking cool during last weeks Saint Stupid’s Day Parade. I have no idea if that was a permitted event or not, but (from what I saw) the cops blocked traffic and let us walk through red lights and didn’t seem that bent out of shape with people getting naked.

By: Kevin Evans

Kevin Evans — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:38:06 +0000

Do it like the old SC & SFCS days. Keep it a secret (until the last day or so) never repeat (too many times) & never in the same place. Always throw out a decoy to throw off those that would want to shut it down…

By: Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:37:09 +0000

Call the Mayor: (415) 554-6141

I just did. Apparently, not a lot of people have.

By: Dave B.

Dave B. — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:43:16 +0000

Great photo Scott! I’ve found photographing race cars at Laguna Seca is a lot easier than trying to capture these BWers.

BTW, this event seems less obtrusive than the city sanctioned ski jump that was constructed on Fillmore St. in ‘05.

By: david

david — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:36:17 +0000

Capt. Loftus from Bayview pd is the person who’s contacted them

By: Mauricio Balvanera

Mauricio Balvanera — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:06:17 +0000

I believe I am willing to pay the $100 fine for “jaywalking on a bigwheel”.

By: violet

violet — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:02:17 +0000

who’s the Supervisor for the Vermont Street district? is is Sophie Maxwell? I remember one year, on Bernal Hill Tom Ammiano came out and gave his blessing in front of the SFPD to the Soapbox Derby. if it’s her, I think Maxwell should be called into focus on this: BYOBW is a positive community event.

By: CTP

CTP — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:01:38 +0000

It’s interesting. Whereas we’d like to find a way to work with them, they seem hell-bent on making sure we keep doing events in rogue fashion. Seems counter productive on their part, to my mind anyway.