Did We Miss Something Here?
Shortshanks was always bragging about how he wanted to make Chicago more "green" and "eco-friendly." He was also big on bicycles - very European in his thinking. To this end, he shut down Lake Shore Drive and invited everyone with a bike to come pedal on a venue that most people only saw at 45 MPH or more going to and from work, school or a museum. It was a friendly crowd, very family oriented. We even worked it a few times.
When did they start charging for it? And not just charging a little bit - $55 per rider (less for kids and early sign ups). The media reports 20,000 people registered. That's around a million bucks, give or take a few thousand. They already had all sorts of corporate sponsors - their webpage has around twenty listed. They still needed to charge people?
Maybe we missed something all those other times. This just struck us as a bit hinky.
When did they start charging for it? And not just charging a little bit - $55 per rider (less for kids and early sign ups). The media reports 20,000 people registered. That's around a million bucks, give or take a few thousand. They already had all sorts of corporate sponsors - their webpage has around twenty listed. They still needed to charge people?
Maybe we missed something all those other times. This just struck us as a bit hinky.
Labels: we got nothing
posted by SCC at 12:31 AM
59 Comments:
Of course the BIG question is, where does that money go? OR, to whom does it go?
Like the street fests in lakeview, they are closing down taxpayer owned streets, they can't charge shit. They can merely ask for a donation. I wouldn't and dont pay a dime to bike the drive.
http://www.activetrans.org/
They are a non-profit that does a lot of good work on transportation issues in the city. Not sure how long they have been doing the registrations though.
The event is a fundraiser for Active Transportation Alliance, a nonprofit that works on behalf of people who walk, bicycle and use public transit in Chicagoland, the release said.
Copyright SunTimes
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Chicagoans-Bike-the-Drive-122797664.html#ixzz1NoPAds00
when it was run by the old 'Chicago Bicycle Federation' it was legitimate. But when it became the 'Active Transportation Alliance, Richrd M. Daley Mayor' any form of transparency went out the window.
Just try to get some information from the 'Active Transportation Alliance' on their income (including grants,)budget, who gets paid what and for what, and what they do with the money. You will be told that it is a private organization and you don't need to know.
This is really low hanging fruit ripe for 'Investigative Journalists' who haven't asked any of these questions but just reprint the handouts, A basic investigation will probably end in indictments and a lot of red, 'green' faces.
daley has the concession rights for such functions just in case his $50,000.00 per speech gets no takers.
Let's hope he can complete a statement before he starts stuttersing & stammering.
" All dem business guyz said dey would hire me for a speech, I di help dem a whole bunch of times and wouldns't take their bribe money".
" Dey owe me a chance to prove I can keep an audience captivated for at least 20 minutes"
How long is 20 minutes " ????
shanks rides a bicycle 3 times a week. His body guards have learned how to hold the bike steady so he won't fall down & get a boo-boo. Shanks is a retard !
I think they've charges since the beginning. Although, it was nothing like $55 in the past. I'm thinking maybe $25-35.
Part of the money raised is used to reimburse the city for police and Streets and San costs and the rest is used by the bicycle federation to promote biking.
I personally bike alot and try to avoid using gas as much as possible. We're funding both sides of the terror war and oil money has alot to do with it.
I live on the north lakefront though so it's easier to bike here than possibly anyplace else in the city.
Just another sleazy move.
As usual, the rich are more 'equal' than others. I sure know MY family can't afford a fee like that.
i have taken my bike out on 'bike the drive' a few times, but I never paid ($) for the 'privilege';' of doing it officially. I always thought that was a bunch of BS.
Glad to see others here felt the same.
Geee, I wonder who got all that cash?
Yeah what's up with that. This is the first year that I heard that you had to register and pay a fee? How long has it been like that.
Unless the money goes for charity we had 20,000 idiots out there. For $55 bucks, no thanks I'll ride the bike path thank you.
Wanted to do the ride several years back then saw the price. No thanks.
I did not pay this year or any other year. They have been charging for a few. When the lady tried to stop me and ask for my credentials this morning. I told her that I don't have to pay as my tax dollars support the families of many minorities in the city.
I then rode right onto the drive. Never looked back. Never felt bad about stealing the ride from the city.
They had to start charging. Too many people, especially assholes were showing up and nobody could move.
If they didn't charge, the event would be besieged by thugs with their shorties by now.....a "Wilding on Wheels" if you will!
It was a good idea, that I'm surprised he approved.
Are they going to charge participants of the parades to pay for city services.Bud Biliken will be given waivers of course
just like the marathon, they have charged for a long time, of course with the marathon money is paid out to the top runners
Early sign-up must have been $20...A buddy of mine went... Had a 2nd buddy who went who just showed up... They told him to leave at at least one of the checkpoints because he did not have either a "wristband" or number attached to his shirt. He got off drove a bit further and re-entered LSD... He said, "I'm not paying! I don't know what their doing with the Money" On a side note: he's cheap! but then again so am I...
Charging people was only part of it: at Belmont, if you did not have proof that you paid, you were ordered off of the ride! I paid $180.00 for my City Sticker on my pick-up truck, but I guess that was not enough, because now I have to pay to ride my bike on the Drive. I sincerely hope there is a special place in Hell for political criminals like Daley, Madigan, Blago and all the other felons in elected office here in "Crook" county.
Anyone who pays is a moron.
They should call it 'white the drive.' The money supposedly goes to the active transportation alliance, which is essentially a cycling interest group. Some of their goals are admirable. Some are not. you used to be able to sneak on but then they got all snippy. Does the city get any of that cash to cover OT for cops n emts? certainly it seems fair to charge a nominal fee to cover the costs. But 150 for a family of four? Screw that. Time for some civil disobedience. Or time to sneak on again....coppers would you really arrest a family of four on a sunday jaunt?
$55?!?! That's just to keep the riff-raff gang bangers out. Can you imaging the news if some ghetto mates were seen riding away from there with some LSD liberal's titanium two wheel mega-bucks ride. He needed it for his paper route.
As if being heathy isn't expensive enough. A pound of organic tomatos is more money than a whole chicken. Now pay to ride a bicycle on a "green" day promotion, part of cleaning the enviroment....yeah right.
It has been a fundraiser since the beginning. This was the 10th year of the event. If you register at the last minute, it costs $50. If you register early, it costs significantly less.
Putting on a big event like this costs a lot of money. Police services, traffic aides and traffic barricades are a significant piece of that cost.
Cyclists should all be paying part of the road tax, if they want the respect they seem to demand from automobile drivers.
They are required to file a IRS form 990 and make it public, otherwise they are breaking the law....
I think they've charges since the beginning. Although, it was nothing like $55 in the past. I'm thinking maybe $25-35. Part of the money raised is used to reimburse the city for police and Streets and San costs and the rest is used by the bicycle federation to promote biking. I personally bike alot and try to avoid using gas as much as possible. We're funding both sides of the terror war and oil money has alot to do with it. I live on the north lakefront though so it's easier to bike here than possibly anyplace else in the city.
Hey Pee Wee. FUCK YOU!!!
I did not pay this year or any other year. They have been charging for a few. When the lady tried to stop me and ask for my credentials this morning. I told her that I don't have to pay as my tax dollars support the families of many minorities in the city. I then rode right onto the drive. Never looked back. Never felt bad about stealing the ride from the city. 5/30/2011 02:35:00 AM
ATTA BOY!!! That's what I like to hear REAL CHICAGOIANS showing how it should be done.
$55.00 keeps the rif raf away.
Come on SCC, you advocate for charging for the Fest and other events. This is no different. People who pay will be less likely to start some shit. If you enjoy biking and want to do something a little different then paying $55, cheaper if you register early, to bike LSD for 4hrs is not a bad thing.
As if being heathy isn't expensive enough. A pound of organic tomatos is more money than a whole chicken. Now pay to ride a bicycle on a "green" day promotion, part of cleaning the enviroment....yeah right.
____________________________
How much are you paying for a gallon of gas now? Why don't you grow your own tomatoes?
LMAO!
P.T. Barnum
Seriously, that is ridiculous. Just show up and ride.
There has always been a fee.
You think 42 short was going to allocate CPD and TMA resources to shut LSD down for free?
Now...has the fee increased over time? That is a better question to ask.
I love being an American. I love being a black American. But I am increasingly uneasy with the tone of many here insinuating that blacks don't pay taxes in this City. Many of us (black Chicagoans) who also reside in Beverly, South Shore, Chatham, even Englewood, the West Side, Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, and many other communities, ALSO PAY TAXES
on our homes, water bills, City sticker fees, and host of other taxes that every other law abiding, working, tax paying City resident pays. It's time for many who post here on a regular basis to cut the 'holier-than-thou' attitude concerning taxes. My white partner's wife had a baby last year. His wife (also a cop) returned back to duty about 3 months after thier child was born. Guess who does the nannying for the kid? Guess who he chose? You guessed it. An illegal middle aged Mexican woman.
He pays no taxes on the pay he provides her, and he doesn't see the irony of this at all, yet he talks about 'freeloaders' and 'leeches' in our City all the time.
The only green the democrats care about are the greenbacks inside those manila envelopes.
As if being heathy isn't expensive enough.
______________________________
Its much cheaper to be sick and die young.
At street fests I always say "I am invoking my right to not pay."
When Communists run your City, and your Country, you WILL pay for everything, one way or another...
Nothing is free in Chicago anymore. You could go to the lakefront and park your car all day and let the family enjoy our beautiful lake and beaches. Not no mo. Parking meters...overly priced beverage stands....bike rentals.... all run by "connected" folks. Pretty soon Rahm will figure out how much air each resident breathes a year and put a tax on it. Move to the suburbs as soon as you can leave the job. What a difference!
$55 dollars for some commie organization lol, glad i gave my bike away.
Maybe they can fill in the potholes up and down my street with that cool ca$h they extorted from the bikers.
just axin
do da math says:
20,000 x $55 = 1,100.000.00 clams
Where does the money go????
The cost was the number one reason I didn't go this year despite the fact I really wanted to. $55 - what a fucking joke...
You are right on !
Come on SCC, you advocate for charging for the Fest and other events. This is no different. People who pay will be less likely to start some shit. If you enjoy biking and want to do something a little different then paying $55, cheaper if you register early, to bike LSD for 4hrs is not a bad thing
We were just curious, although $55 seems steep. Don't read into things too much.
I've heard they are setting up toll booths to enter the city. The amount of your toll will be determined by your degree of separation from the Daley crime family (be prepared to show documentation). Of course, there is also a fee to leave. The exit toll is twice as much and involves rubber gloves.
No way would I pay more than $20 at the most to Bike LSD... I volunteered pre-bike and rode for free (comp reg).
--No Cop Here
Come on SCC, you advocate for charging for the Fest and other events. This is no different. People who pay will be less likely to start some shit. If you enjoy biking and want to do something a little different then paying $55, cheaper if you register early, to bike LSD for 4hrs is not a bad thing
We were just curious, although $55 seems steep. Don't read into things too much.
_______________________________
I gotcha. It was nice to attend an event in Chicago though without the ghetto rats messing it up. It helps that it was early in the morning.
Cyclists should all be paying part of the road tax, if they want the respect they seem to demand from automobile drivers.
-------------------------------
Surely you're not that stupid. Do you think that "cyclists" get road taxes deducted from their taxes because they ride a bike?
Other cities have bicycle license plates.
Maybe it time to start charging license fees for bicycles in the city.
They demand all these bike lanes and city services so let them pay for it just like automobile drivers do.
The Democrats never met a tax they didn't like.
The Democrats never met a tax they didn't like.
5/31/2011 04:19:00 AM
signed,
a democrat
Anonymous said...
Other cities have bicycle license plates.
Maybe it time to start charging license fees for bicycles in the city.
They demand all these bike lanes and city services so let them pay for it just like automobile drivers do.
The Democrats never met a tax they didn't like.
5/31/2011 04:19:00 AM
Cyclists should pay according to the weight of the rider. Heavy people pay more, Democrats should like that. Ex-Mayors get free registration to go along with the Emperor's Royal Guard.
And bicycle insurance should be mandatory, provided by the Daley Insurance Agency.
I can't wait till the Vanceko Casino opens up. You just know who is going to be on the inside of any casino in Chicago, the vultures are all lined up at the feed trough for that one.
Anonymous sure has a lot to say for someone so stupid. Active Transporation Alliance (formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation) has always charged a fee for the ride, just like in New York where the 5 Bouroughs ride, which is all also on city street charges.
This is their main annual fund raiser and after reimbursing the city for all city services (ie police, fire, sanitation), the remainder is used to support their non-profit initiative for all users of alternate transportation, biking, walking or public trans.
ATA is not lining anyone's pockets, the money is well used to support staff, out reach, school initiatives, etc to educate, inform and assist everyone in the state and beyond to look at alternatives to auto use.
Their web site provides details for those not too lazy to look. If you enjoy the use of bike racks, bikes on CTA & Pace buses, CTA trains or Metra, thanks ATA.
Bike the Drive has always been a fundraiser for the organization which was called Chicagoland Bicycle Federation when it began 10 years ago and is now called Active Transportation Alliance.
Off the top of my head, the money goes for police and TMA and refreshments and t-shirts and radios for communication and tents and signs and trucks to deliver the food and equipment to the aid stations and much much more. How about salaries for the staff of Active Transportation Alliance, for instance.
The profits go to keep the office open at 9 W. Hubbard where people work year around to advocate for cyclists, pedestrians and users of public transportation.
All the expenses for any bike ride have risen in the past 10 years, so of course the price has gone up. But early registration is always cheaper than last minute registration. And also easier. And there were many scholarships available to needy teenagers who applied. Information is still available on bikethedrive.org.
There's even a more extensive list of what the registration fee goes for at http://www.bikethedrive.org/faq#registrationfee
I've questioned persons wearing this year's t-shirt about whether they enjoyed the ride and it has been all positive replies.
If you don't like the fee, you can volunteer at Packet Pickup for 6 hours and you get to ride for free. Or you can show off your skills repairing flats as a Ride Marshal and ride for free. Or you can bring a bike trailer and provide volunteer accommodations and ride for FREE!!
So stop criticizing and get on your bikes.
And think about this: What did you pay to watch the Bulls, the Bears or the Blackhawks play - and you didn't even get into the game?
Anonymous said...
do da math says:
20,000 x $55 = 1,100.000.00 clams
Where does the money go????
5/30/2011 03:20:00 PM
A jury award of several million bucks came down last week for some City of Chicago negligence that got a guy disabled working on a street project.
The money went towards that and his lawyer and the City's lawyer. nothing to the City DOT crew who were handed the blame. They are still employed at what used to be called the Department of Tony.
But early registration is always cheaper than last minute registration. And also easier. And there were many scholarships available to needy teenagers who applied. Information is still available on bikethedrive.org.
There's even a more extensive list of what the registration fee goes for at http://www.bikethedrive.org/faq#registrationfee
....
If you don't like the fee, you can volunteer at Packet Pickup for 6 hours and you get to ride for free. Or you can show off your skills repairing flats as a Ride Marshal and ride for free. Or you can bring a bike trailer and provide volunteer accommodations and ride for FREE!!
So stop criticizing and get on your bikes.
Well said, Kathy. Register early, folks, and come out to ride next year. Some of the money raised provides bike safety classes, educational materials, and the crash support program.
"Well said, Kathy. Register early, folks, and come out to ride next year. Some of the money raised provides bike safety classes, educational materials, and the crash support program."
--6/01/2011 07:16:00 AM
Ha. Just get out by 10 AM when The Other Chicago begins to wake up. "[WLS] listeners report being at the beach, and seeing dozens of gang bangers pushing people off their bikes."
This isn't working out too well, is it?
Frankly, most of these "save the Earth" NGOs seem to absorb most of what they take in in paying out good salaries and benefits to all the various "co-ordinators," etc.
When I go to the mall, it is exceptional to see two or three bicycles locked to the rack. There usually are NONE.
There are always hundreds, thousands of cars, though.
Bike The Drive is a pleasant enough once-a-year idea, but it is merely a bit of froth atop everyday reality.
Think -- any miniscule good you do in separating cans from newspapers is immediately canceled out by the twenty-five illegal aliens living next door, shoving mountains of dirty diapers and car parts into the alley.
The freaking oceans are filling with garbage -- there are vast eddies of swirling toothbrushes and milk crates, hypodermic syringes and discarded rubber flip-flops from the Third World, in little-traveled areas outside the usual shipping lanes.
There are too many people in the world for your pathetic seven-watt curly-bulb and 1 1/2-gallon flush toilet to be having much of an effect...these myths are more easily propagated in the educated West with its declining family sizes.
Everyone else wants a car to haul their new air conditioner home -- NOW.
China has made the Second Great Leap Forward away from bicycles and into eighteen lanes of smog -- and India is going ahead and building the tiny Tata automobile...
"Environmentalism" does not have a chance against explosive overpopulation.
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