Harassed by the Private Fuzz

**redrhodie** · 09-01-2009, 04:58 PM

Nice blog entry, P. I have faith you'll eventually get the silly rules changed to ones that make more sense.

That baby memorial is just too sad.

**Tri Girl** · 09-01-2009, 06:40 PM

Incredibly well written!!! A pleasure to read, as always. I love the writing, the pictures... everything!!

**Tuckervill** · 09-01-2009, 07:08 PM

Fabulous. You make so much sense.

This whole bike ban is a perfect example of rules versus principles. Instead of taking the time to identify how the needs of all can be met while upholding the principles of health, safety and individual freedoms, they just make a simple rule. The rule punishes everyone, and fosters violation of the principles!

Go for it, Pardes!

Karen

**Mr. Bloom** · 09-02-2009, 01:16 AM

Pardes: I've said it before...I'll say it again - YOU'RE a GEM!

You keep swinging that "velvet hammer"!

**SadieKate** · 09-02-2009, 07:15 AM

I'm confused. Your picture and blog indicates you are also upset that they have potentially banned bikes from a 1/4 mile wellness walking path on private hospital grounds. Yes? Am I mistaken?

**Serendipity** · 09-02-2009, 02:07 PM

Pardes - I've been wondering where you were/are!

Great blog & what a bizarre situation. Can hardly wait to hear 'the next chapter'!!!

**Tri Girl** · 09-02-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by SadieKate

I'm confused. Your picture and blog indicates you are also upset that they have potentially banned bikes from a 1/4 mile wellness walking path on private hospital grounds. Yes? Am I mistaken?

She wasn't riding on the walking path, but she was on the roads of the private hospital grounds, which she had to take to get to the public bus stop.

**SadieKate** · 09-02-2009, 07:26 PM

I know that. I was referring the statements about the path sign in her blog.

**channlluv** · 09-02-2009, 07:40 PM

It was designated as a MUP, but they banned trespassers. I wonder how they determine who's a trespasser and who's just there to hang out at the park or use the exercise path.

Roxy

**Mr. Bloom** · 09-03-2009, 02:32 AM

There's several inconsistencies here...

**pardes** · 09-03-2009, 03:27 AM

The MUP is on the very edge of the grounds and looks more like a wide hot-pressed gravel sidewalk than a MUP that winds through a wooded area. It doesn't run through the hospital grounds just around it. but only on one partial side. I've never noticed anyone using it for exercise. It abruptly ends on one end as the access road into the hospital which doesn't have sidewalks and which does have a sign banning pedestrians on the sides of the access road. On the other end, it morphs into an official wide concrete sidewalk that runs in front of a banking company and down to Harmony Road.

The No Trespassing sign, I'm sure, doesn't apply to the MUP sidewalk itself, but to the hospital property next to it.

Oh wait, I HAVE seen a lot of people using the MUP. The conclave of Canada Geese. The geese need it like I do. Freeloaders that they are who don't migrate but camp like gypsies on the pond, and indeed they are getting a bit hippy in their waddle.

I wonder if geese are prone to arthritis too?

And do they make Depends for geese? They should you know since these geese poop all OVER the MUP.

Oh great. Now I'm going to go to work with a mental image of geese wearing Depends, sweatbands on their little foreheads, and pushing their little walkers around the MUP on their way to Aquacize classes in the pond.

I can loan them my iPod Aquacize tape of Tina Turner singing, "I Will Survive." Followed by Flashdance and The Age of Aquarius.

**bmccasland** · 09-03-2009, 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by pardes

Oh great. Now I'm going to go to work with a mental image of geese wearing Depends, sweatbands on their little foreheads, and pushing their little walkers around the MUP on their way to Aquacize classes in the pond.

I can loan them my iPod Aquacize tape of Tina Turner singing, "I Will Survive." Followed by Flashdance and The Age of Aquarius.

ARRGGGHH! I almost spewed my coffee all over my computer moniter. Now I'm going to have that image stuck in my brain!

**jobob** · 09-03-2009, 04:07 AM

**GreatPaws** · 09-03-2009, 10:24 AM

Christiana???? you're kidding!

You're at my old stomping grounds! I have a friend who works there. I will have to email him your story and see what he says.

But I really can't believe it. Now, it's been 7 years, but that hospital used to be the place to go for heath minded things!! I can't believe they'd have such attitudes!!!

Publicity is the way to go. Contact channel 12, and even Philly places. Wilmington hates to be seen as "behind" Philly. What kind of biking policy does Thomas Jefferson have (not that you'd want to bike there, but still)? They're also a non for profit. What if their supporters found out that they don't even support biking as a healthy lifestyle? tsk tsk.... A Woman trying to do the healthy thing and you can't even cut across to get to public transportation? That is a VERY VERY busy area so *not* cutting thru isn't really a realistic option... I wonder what DART would say if they knew they were having their access restricted by some silly policy.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

**pardes** · 09-03-2009, 11:05 AM

It remains to be seen what their official policy is about bicycles. Let's not jump to conclusions before we have to.

It's entirely possible that the only two people I've come iinto contact there (security guard and CEO's secretary) about this issue may NOT be quoting the party line but their personal opinions.

The CEO has staffed out responding to my email to another executive. (Sigh. I feel like the wallflower that didn't get asked to dance by the quarterback....) The VP of External Affairs has tried to reach me by phone and we are now playing phone tag. I should know something soon.

I am hoping for the best and plan to campaign mightily for their help (from a medical point of view) in setting up a comprehensive program for senior bikers (getting non-cyclists on bikes), TADA.... known as Elderberry Bike Rides. I've already got a bike store offering discounts and the local bike groups ready to help!

I'd like to see a great deal of involvement by them (the hospital) in such a project but I'd be happy with them just referring their outpatient program patients from senior care, cardiac rehab, women's care, arthritis programs, weight loss, etc programs to be informed that there is now a Boomer Bike Project that offers road training, help with buying and setting up a bike, how to shop by bike, and sponsoring slow, easy, navel-contemplating, photo-taking, coffe-drinking, people-watching, nature gawking kind of rides in this area. We have LOTS of bike rides in the area but they are all way too advanced for beginners and shy bikers.

Anyway, that's the plan. Well that and contemplating Depends and sweat bands on Canada Geese.

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