Farewell Terry Lowe

I didn't really know Terry except through his excellent writing. I know he made such a tremendous contribution to our city and community he will be sorely missed. Here follows a tribute from Amy Walker of Momentum Magazine, as well as some information on memorial events:

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Dear Momentumites,

I have some sad news to share. Terry Lowe passed away recently in his sleep after a brief illness.
Here is a note to be published in Momentum:

Terry Lowe

1957 – 2011

Our beloved friend and colleague Terry Lowe passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness January 24. Terry's ideas, questions, and respectfully offered corrections helped shape each issue of Momentum for the past five and a half years. Like a ray of sunshine, Terry introduced himself at a Momentum summer barbeque. He joined the magazine as a writer in August 2006, and by December of that year accepted the role of Editor, later also editing the Vancouver/Victoria and books sections. Terry loved riding his bicycle and letting people know how easy and fun biking could be. We will miss seeing him at all hours of day or night, grinning like a kid while he explored the streets wearing his white bike helmet with its distinctive home-made rain visor. Terry, it was an honour and a pleasure to know you. May you ride in peace forever more!

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Terry befriended many people through his love of art, reading, writing, and music, his work as a computer programmer and graphic artist, and his community involvement. He volunteered for the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, Velopalooza, and Free Geek. At Momentum we shared with Terry a love of cycling, a wish to share everyday cycling with more people and an appreciation of well-crafted prose. Terry was a gifted and gentle editor. I will be forever
grateful for his insight, his steadfast support and his willingness to read through and comment on articles sent at 2am (both of us being night owls...)

I know Terry touched many people with his gentleness, his humour and his diligence. He will be missed!! If you have a memory of Terry to share, please feel free to write a note on the Facebook memorial page or respond to this email.

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Celebration in Memory of Terry Lowe
Sunday, February 20 · 3:00pm - 6:00pm
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Location
W2 - Woodward's Building, second floor
Suite 250, 111 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC
Please join friends and family in celebrating the life of our friend and colleague, Terry Lowe.

We will remember Terry with stories and song, images and objects from his life. If you would like to bring a story to share we will have time in the program for guests to share a brief remembrance of Terry.

...

there is a facebook event page if you'd like to rsvp:
facebook.com/...eid=151657934891900

Terry gave generously of his time, intelligence and talents to his friends and to society through his writing, editing and art. Terry was a great friend and support to many people. We invite you to share in remembering Terry and how he touched our lives.

Since we believe Terry would want to be remembered in a fun, light-hearted way, we welcome you to a warm and friendly wake, with food, drinks and music. We look forward to seeing you at this joyful celebration of Terry's life! Light snacks and coffee will be provided. Guest are welcome to bring snacks or treats to share. W2 will provide a cash bar.

Please feel free to share this invitation with others who would want to attend.

We will collect donations at the event to help with any costs for the memorial. Surplus funds will be donated to the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition in Terry's name.

BIKE RIDE for TERRY LOWE:
Terry loved riding his bike and exploring the city so we have organized a fun and easy bike ride will take place immediately preceding the gathering. We will meet at the gazebo just south of
Science World at 1:45 for a 2:00 departure. Ride will proceed over the Dunsmuir Viaduct, Dunsmuir Lanes, Hornby Lanes, Seawall path to Carrall Street and end at the Woodward's Building at 111 West Hastings.

It was such a delight to know you Terry! You left a lasting impression on me with your integrity, your humility and your joy. I imagine you riding somewhere in the sunshine, wearing a big grin!

With love,
Amy

--

Amy Walker

MOMENTUM – the magazine for self-propelled people

www.momentumplanet.com

August Critical Mass Ride and Roll

Friday, August 27

Join fellow bicyclists, skaters, and bladers for this leisurely and spirited celebratory ride and roll through the streets of Vancouver! Meet at the Vancouver Art Gallery on the Georgia Street side between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. -- and roll and ride at 6:00 p.m. The ride is on rain or shine! Costumes and decorated bicycles, trailers, signs, flags, noisemakers, gettoblasters, sound systems, drums, and wildly modified bicycles are all highly encouraged!

Pre-rides to Critical Mass:

UBC riders meet at the UBC Bike Hub, on the north east end of the Student Union Building, at 4:30 p.m. for a group ride to the Vancouver Art Gallery. Phone 604-822-BIKE for details.

East Van riders meet 4:00 p.m., leaving 4:30 p.m., from Grandview Park, 1200-block Commercial Drive, for a group ride to the Vancouver Art Gallery.

What's Critical Mass and how do I participate?

Celebrated around the world, Critical Mass is a grassroots reclamation of public space -- on the last Friday of the month -- which allows cyclists and other self-propelled people to move safely and comfortably through city streets in a car-free space. Non-polluting forms of transportation are promoted.

The ride stays together for safety and fun. If you are at the front of the ride, stop if you are approaching a red light. But continue as a group if the lights change red while passing though an intersection.

You will see participants at the front peel off to block motorized traffic from entering the Mass. That's called "corking". Corkers keep the ride safe and allow the Mass to pass though intersections where the lights have turned red. Thank them for corking!

Never cork alone. Join lone corkers, and for intersections there should be six or more corkers. And remember, do not cork oncoming traffic in opposing lanes.

If you're at the front, please don't speed or take narrow roadways or paths. It stretches the ride out and makes life harder for corkers, riders, and those waiting for the Mass to pass. Be aware of the ride's slower participants, and keep a slower pace. If the Mass has thinned out or has broken into more than one group, which happens following hills or where the street has becomes more lanes, the front should wait at green lights for the group to "mass up".

Don't stay on any given street for very long, so that public transit can pass. And always let emergency vehicles through. Please don't ride on sidewalks or in opposing traffic lanes.

The ride is a celebration, and an alcohol/drug free event. Take absolute responsibility for your actions and show motorists a better way to travel. A way which is more equitable, efficient, fun and socially responsible than the car. There's no need to be unfriendly or argue with motorists -- our sheer numbers tell the story. Look after each other, speak up, and ride with confidence.

Who decides where we go?

You do! Some rides have a destination that may be suggested at the start of the ride, but the route is always decided by the riders in the front. If you have an idea where the ride should go, move to the front and participate with others in a group decision. Remember to make it fun and interesting, and that Critical Mass has no leaders.

A special note to those at the front: It becomes unsafe for those in the rear if the Mass strrrreeeetches out, there are big gaps, or the body of the Mass looses it's tail. If the front can no longer see the rear, or the Mass has just passed through a "choke point" -- stop at an intersection where there's room for the entire Mass to completely bunch up again (and where the front of the ride can see the rear again).

images1.wikia.nocookie.net/criticalmass/images/d/de/Welcome.jpg

For more information:

http://vancouvercm.blogspot.com

Critical Mass Vancouver on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2227461980

Worldwide details may be found at:

www.critical-mass.info
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass
criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_rides

Upload/View Vancouver Critical Mass Photos at Flickr.com:

www.flickr.com/groups/vancriticalmass

Critical Mass Ride with Pride

Friday, July 30

Join fellow bicyclists, skaters, and bladers for this leisurely and spirited celebratory ride and roll through the streets of Vancouver with Pride! Meet at the Vancouver Art Gallery on the Georgia Street side between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. -- and roll and ride at 6:00 p.m. The ride is on rain or shine! Decorated bicycles, trailers, signs, flags, noisemakers, gettoblasters, sound systems, drums, and wildly modified bicycles are all highly encouraged!

The July Mass especially invites the Queer community already among us for an inclusive street celebration on wheels. After, it's off to one of Vancouver's beaches. Which beach will it be? Kits, Lacarno, English Bay? Join the ride to find out where!

Later in the evening is a Car Free Day Appreciation Party.

Pre-rides to Critical Mass:

UBC riders meet at the UBC Bike Hub, on the north east end of the Student Union Building, at 4:30 p.m. for a group ride to the Vancouver Art Gallery. Phone 604-822-BIKE for details.

East Van riders meet 4:00 p.m., leaving 4:30 p.m., from Grandview Park, 1200-block Commercial Drive, for a group ride to the Vancouver Art Gallery.

What's Critical Mass and how do I participate?

Celebrated around the world, Critical Mass is a grassroots reclamation of public space -- on the last Friday of the month -- which allows cyclists and other self-propelled people to move safely and comfortably through city streets in a car-free space. Non-polluting forms of transportation are promoted.

The ride stays together for safety and fun. If you are at the front of the ride, stop if you are approaching a red light. But continue as a group if the lights change red while passing though an intersection.

You will see participants at the front peel off to block motorized traffic from entering the Mass. That's called "corking". Corkers keep the ride safe and allow the Mass to pass though intersections where the lights have turned red. Thank them for corking!

Never cork alone. Join lone corkers, and for intersections there should be six or more corkers. And remember, do not cork oncoming traffic in opposing lanes.

If you're at the front, please don't speed or take narrow roadways or paths. It stretches the ride out and makes life harder for corkers, riders, and those waiting for the Mass to pass. Be aware of the ride's slower participants, and keep a slower pace. If the Mass has thinned out or has broken into more than one group, which happens following hills or where the street has becomes more lanes, the front should wait at green lights for the group to "mass up".

Don't stay on any given street for very long, so that public transit can pass. And always let emergency vehicles through. Please don't ride on sidewalks or in opposing traffic lanes.

The ride is a celebration, and an alcohol/drug free event. Take absolute responsibility for your actions and show motorists a better way to travel. A way which is more equitable, efficient, fun and socially responsible than the car. There's no need to be unfriendly or argue with motorists -- our sheer numbers tell the story. Look after each other, speak up, and ride with confidence.

Who decides where we go?

You do! Some rides have a destination that may be suggested at the start of the ride, but the route is always decided by the riders in the front. If you have an idea where the ride should go, move to the front and participate with others in a group decision. Remember to make it fun and interesting, and that Critical Mass has no leaders.

A special note to those at the front: It becomes unsafe for those in the rear if the Mass strrrreeeetches out, there are big gaps, or the body of the Mass looses it's tail. If the front can no longer see the rear, or the Mass has just passed through a "choke point" -- stop at an intersection where there's room for the entire Mass to completely bunch up again (and where the front of the ride can see the rear again).

images1.wikia.nocookie.net/criticalmass/images/d/de/Welcome.jpg

For more information:

http://vancouvercm.blogspot.com

Critical Mass Vancouver on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2227461980

Worldwide details may be found at:

www.critical-mass.info
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass
criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_rides

Upload/View Vancouver Critical Mass Photos at Flickr.com:

www.flickr.com/groups/vancriticalmass

Big Fun Critical Mass Today

Ride at the usual time, usual place.
Come for the celebration of genuine public space.
Meet 5pm, leave 6pm ish from the Vancouver Art Gallery downtown Vancouver.



Do not fear the sensationalist predictions of crazy police or crazy black clad bike riders. All of that is nonsense (that will not happen) based on fear and a media that likes to tell stories that keep you home - out of your own city - afraid to make change. Instead, this is going to be one of the most fun rides of the year. There will be more people out on the street. There will be less cars than normal. People in cars will be more patient/friendly as they expect some disruption. The police are well prepared and have no reason to feel threatened or act crazy. The nihilists who cause mayhem for the sake of mayhem do not exist. (Check out the Vancouver Media Coop if you don't understand) Once a month is NOT an onerous burden for cyclists to place on the city. The mass of riders is going to me more sensitive than normal about keeping the odd testosterone case from taking over. If you are threatened violently then please phone 9-1-1, that is what we do. We don't have to feel like outsiders today, even if our city has been taken over by private interests paid for from our public funds.



Bring your family, dress up, lets have fun. As always Critical Mass is a great place to voice publically your expressions of politics. Voice your unOlympic message. Voice your support for whatever sports or Olympic pride you may have. It's all welcome, just be respectful of pedestrians on the street and motorists.



Wear a helmet and bring a light, it will be dark probably. If we ride over bridges, we should ride ALL the way over rather than stop in the middle. After all, we're not blocking traffic – we are traffic! Tell everyone at the ride so that enough people know and it happens.



Ride together, stay strong. Take care and take the lane!

Love Ride 15th, People's Prom tonight

Hey, I don't know much about this but it sounds fun:

Says it aims to be between Midnight Mass and CM in style. Not sure what that means? I do hope people put some thought into being slightly organised. (Here follows my pro-corking tirade, I have no reason to think the organisers don't already know this, I just like repeating myself ;-)) It may seem a hassle to be pro-active about corking but it is really really worthwhile, doesn't take a lot of effort, and corking is fun anyway because you get to talk to strangers who are 95% of the time nice or interesting. And it keeps the ride together which is SO important for safety. If the choice is between being a total individualist and have to be super vigilant about every car/danger and riding together and having some look out for each other so you can have some spare attention to pay to other riders/the city --- I'd choose riding together every time.

Also, drinking and riding is a fun idea (ie I'd rather be a drunken cyclist than a designated driver) but not a safe or bright idea - especially when some people are not familiar with each other ---such as in this kind of publically announced ride. People in our community have been seriously injured riding drunk! Yes, you are not the danger to others that driving a car is - but I don't want to see cyclists hurt either. So please be sensible and maybe wait until the end of the ride for libation. Watch out for each other and all will be well.

That time of year again, the People's Prom is tonight. The funraising is for anti-olympic efforts this time. Haven't heard too much about it because it always sells out so I think they don't bother with much advertising. I don't know if tickets are left. They were sold at OCB as well as places on the drive but maybe not on this day of the event? Go early if you want to get in then.

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Great Women's March today.

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Hey, check out this new blog I only just discovered. Kinda pixelated graphics? A nifty blog nonetheless. They aren't taking sides on the o'lympdics -- but they are posting good information you don't find elsewhere. New blog for the blogroll :)

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Hey, did you notice that Micheal Bluejay's worldwide Critical Mass hub has ended. :-( Too bad, it was a great resource and he did a lot of good work for 10 years. Makes me feel old that I remember CM blogging when his site first existed. Thanks Micheal! So the wikia is the global resource now I guess. C'mon people the Vancouver page is blank! I'll get a start on that today but please sign up for wikia and add to it!

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Police agreed to a 45ft Banner Drop from Cambie Bridge. Good for them and everyone, maybe the issue of Homelessness will make the Sports TV news ;-p

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I must confess: I am drawn to this Olympic attraction: free zip line over robson.

So much so that I hesitated posting it here selfishly because I don't want to increase the length of the lineup. Has anyone tried this? Is there a lineup? Is it worth it? (free) Can anyone go? (ie, my senior citizen dad? my baby?) Grrr... Olympics. At least its free. I guess I just like heights and to get that unique perspective of the city. Maybe I'll unfurl an anti-olympic banner as I zip down ;-)