Received from building management at my office today:

On Friday, August 22, 2008 we will be removing the two bike racks located between  [my building]  and  [the plaza in front of the building]  temporarily do [sic] to the DNC. One of the bike racks will be located in the dock for tenant use, there will be limited space available. It will be located near the Dock masters office when entering into the dock. Please inform all employees that if there are bikes left chained to the bike racks on the plaza Friday morning, that the chain will be cut, and the bike will be moved to the dock.  We are also allowing during the week of Aug. 25^th thru Aug. 29^th that employees may bring their bikes to their floor using ONLY the freight elevator.  

The bike racks will be put back on the plaza September 1, 2008.  

So ... worries about exploding bicycles? Oh, I suppose about packs/satchels on bikes, but this seems kind of lame.

And, um, our building is on the opposite edge of downtown from any of the DNC action. Is there a real risk we should be concerned about? Is someone so likely to attack our building with an explosive device left on a bicycle only during the DNC?

Feh.

Filed under :: Homeland Security :: Job Jollies
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Well, Madison recently had someone use their bike as an improvized incendiary device . . ..

I can't tell you how many things changed in SD when the Republicans came to town in 1996. And that was before 9/11.

That reminds me - if you see a cute, stuffed donkey from the convention, I'd love to have one. I have an elephant from the RNC in SD in 1996 and it would be nice to have an unmatched pair!?

I have seen Stuffed Donkey's in the stores, I am sure that would not be too difficult to do. :)

Ahhhh, this could be the reason why:

The Denver Police Department "is asking all police, ambulance and fire personal to be on the lookout for stock piles and caches of supplies that could be used by violent demonstrators at the up coming Democratic National Convention [sic]," according to an official release that has been obtained by the Colorado ACLU. (I can't find an online link to the document.)

In addition to clearly suspicious items like "chemicals" and "gas masks," the Denver PD lists these items of concern:

Maps: "Maps are frequently used by violent protesters to plan direct actions against conventioneers."

Bicycles: "Bicycles are used to blockade sidewalks, streets and can be used to slow down responding emergency vehicles."

Helmets: "Football, baseball, motorcycle and bicycle helmets are all used by violent protesters."

So ... no bicycles in the plaza between two buildings so that folks don't then use them to block traffic?

I guess so...

It was a Cache of Bikes, so it must be eliminated! =P

Bikes of Mass Commuting!