Anyway the WSJ article highlighted some of the craziness of fashion intersecting biking, and the ‘types’ of people who are doing it, who they are, and even how stupid they look in their ‘garb’.

hmmm, I for one would not use such a shallow barometer of what makes a truly great city such as the existence of a shipping company, and any lousy or mediocre pop musician(s).

I would not come close to judging Memphis TN as GREAT, and I dare say few across the United States (outside W TN) would accept Memphis as some sort of great environment, presenting cutting edge anything, or exceptional – certainly components of “greatness”.

Everyone is entitled to their own assessment, but labeling Memphis TN as a “Great City” or a great environment belies reasonableness, fair comparison, and truth.

Claiming Memphis TN is a “great city” eclispes hyperbole.

It suggests bias and blindness of the worst order in my opinion.

I also choked on my coffee reading such rubbish..but it is what it is. Memphis “could be” great one day, far off in the future perhaps, but it’s no where near that level.

Laughable indeed.

Second, as we’ve said, we need to right size streets all over Memphis. We have excess capacity.

This proposal is critical and necessary for a variety of reasons which we have mentioned several times on this blog.

second, what PERCENTAGE of the population (commuters, shoppers, etc) of Memphis TN is currently riding bikes ??

What percentage is likely to ride if more bikes lanes are expensed and created ??

I would think it couldn’t be even 1 %

What percentage of the majority (blk) population ??

I don’t think this proposal is very critical or necessary one bit.

As we keep telling you, great cities do lots of things at the same time. And maybe, just maybe, few people agree with your sense of priorities any way.

Sherman: Shangri-la’s support means a lot since you get the vibe and the business side of the issue. You remind us that we owe Shangri-la a visit.

I have a friend who comes from Japan every year (10+years) and stays with me downtown. He spends most of his free time in midtown. He would certainly ride a trolley to many of the midtown business if there was one. Since there is a no trolley, guess what… he rides one of my bikes from downtown to midtown. A bike lane would most certainly make his trip easier. As a business owner I would want my business on the street with the only bike lane going from downtown to midtown. I mean, what an opportunity.

If Madison doesn’t do it, another street will and that street will reap the benefits and Madison will loose. Don’t let shortsightedness keep you from added business.

In case any of you who oppose bike lanes didn’t know. I don’t own a car. I haven’t owned a car for over 10 years. The only way i will get to your business is on a bike or if someone else brings me. I happen to live where I work downtown so I bike everywhere else.

We need bike lanes in this city.

I admire this attempt at diplomacy but I would rather spend dollars at bike friendly establishments than sitting in at ones that aren’t. It’s not a boycott. Its a choice to whom I give my dollars to. You have to earn my loyalty.

@ who cares? There are plenty of professionals downtown that do ride their bikes to work. I just shot a bunch of interviews with people like the ones you just mention, doing all those things on a bike. I’m sure you will see these PSAs pretty soon from you couch.

Bike Lanes ?? give us a break ! I don’t know one neighbor, one professional who ggets on a sweaty bike every morning in Memphis to go to the office, or to go shopping for groceries for heaven’s sake. Screw that stupid idea…most residents in Memphis are black and I don’t have ONE black asscociate who is actively promoting this idea of riding bikes all around Memphis..so who on earth are you building this crap for in the first place ?? students going to class in Mid town ? lawyers going to court ? lol…..physicians at UT Medical ?? brokers at Morgan Keegan ?

This plan isn’t unpopular, just lacking complete consensus. If we all have to agree before we can take smart steps forward, we’re going to move forward very slow.

It’s not on Wight Boggs to change her mind; it’s on the Mayor to lead.