[*BCM*] Parades vs. travelling on a bike

[Anne Wolfe]

A group of pedestrians who cross at a crosswalk in violation of the traffic laws could
well be a parade.  They're unlikely to get busted for such, as a) it is a pretty quick
parade meaning it is unlikely the cops will arrive in time, and b) there are plenty of
other laws covering this sort of thing (jaywalking springs to mind.)  

But think about it.  Two people decide they are going to cross a crosswalk a 10.00 a.m.,
whether or not there is traffic coming, whether or not the light is in their favor, just
because it is 10.00 a.m.  A short parade, but definitely a parade.  Turn it 90 degrees
and picture these same two people walking down themiddle lane of traffic.  Just one
block.  Parade?  Yes.  Small one, crazy one, but still parade.  The crosswalk only
changes as to the regs of when traffic has to stop for them.  In some states, the law is
that traffic always has to stop for pedistrians in a crosswalk.  Therefore, the flow of
the traffic IS that it has to stop if this condition is present.  Not a parade.  

Getting a bit nuanced, but I hope you see my point.  And if you don't think my arguments
are reasonable, fine, but it would help if you'd provide your own definitionof a parade.
--- Chung-chieh Shan <ccshan at post.harvard.edu> wrote:
> On 2005-03-04T15:25:53-0800, AnneA grouu Wolfe wrote:
> > 1. How many vehicles/pedestrians must be travelling together (communally
> > agreeing to travel in the same direction, and going the same place)
> > before a permit is necessary? 2, 4, 10, 50, 100?
> > I would say that if it is going to interfere with the traffic that is
> > otherwise operating that day, it is a parade.
> 
> > 2. Is it the act of agreeing to travel together that makes it a parade?
> > I think the act of agreeing to travel together is a significant part of it.
> 
> > 3. Should all group bike/car/pedestrian trips have to get permits to
> > travel on public roads?
> > Is it otherwise going to interfere with the normal flow of traffic?
> > If so, then yes, because plans can be made around the parade to
> > minimize inconvenience to others, and also to help protect the safety
> > of those in the parade if necessary.
> 
> According to what you've said, a group of pedestrians who cross the
> street together at a crosswalk, stopping motor traffic, is a parade.
> Thus I don't think your answers are reasonable.
> 
> 	Ken
> 
> -- 
> Edit this signature at http://www.digitas.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/ken/sig
> Yesterday I climbed the stair
> And met a man who wasn't there.
> He wasn't there again today.
> I really wish he'd go away.
> > _______________________________________________
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