Basejumper.com - archive

because they just officially got banned from the Perrine Bridge! A write up in todays paper explains how IDOT is placing signs at the entrances of the Perrine Bridge that will prohibit people from attaching items to the handrail and from blocking pedestrians crossing the bridge - with the intent of keeping Bungee Jumpers off it. While this has always been their rule it help police enforce it now that there is an official posting on the bridge. IDOT states that the Bungee Jumpers were damaging the rail and were a distraction to the motorist. However, there is no current restrictions on us BASE Jumpers as long as we don't distract the motorist, tie things off to the bridge, and block the walkway. Soo... what does this mean for us BASE Jumpers? Well, in my humble opinion - we need to conduct ourselves like little BASE ninjas! Just like the old adage - take only pictures and leave only footprints ( or something to that affect). The bungee Jumpers are no longer around because they couldn't regulate themselves and the man had to do it for them - It's just they things work. While it has always been restricted for the BJ it only came to light when " something happened" i.e. damage to the railings, etc. Hopefully as BASE Jumpers we can jump this bridge in a way that will not be a distraction to the motorist, impeded pedestrians on the walkway, or interfere with people enjoying the river below. Once we cross the line on any of those one too many times our little jumping gem may be in peril.

Jamie

Beat you to it, buddy.

Thread here.

I'm guessing that could include the frame you guys erect for Russell when he jumps. Might be worth showing solidarity with the bungee guys as it's potentially the thin end of a wedge.

ian

I think you should bring a bottle of vodka and some red bull over to the house tonight, so we can discuss these bridge issues.

 
Unfortunately, these adages apply.

" The road to hell was paved with good intentions."

" No good deed goes unpunished."

J

The very first time the ITD harasses Russell, I'm willing to hire a lawyer out of my own pocket to argue that his platform is a federally mandated "reasonable accommodation" under the Americans with Disabilities Act. I've got a doctor who worked with the US Paralympic Team and a whole load of expert BASE jumpers who will testify that this is the simplest, easiest way to accommodate Russell's disability in this place of public recreation.

while I respect your intentions, could that not become the ccatalyst for banning ALL jumping?

How do you figure?

doesn't the law require people to provide equal access to those with disabilities? if authorities BAN all jumping, then everyone has the same access... problem solved.

It’s like the movie Office Space. They don’t fire the guy, they simply “fix the glitch” by shutting off his pay. If it ever came to lawyers I figure the state would do the same thing and “fix the glitch”. No jumping, problem solved on their end.

Aside from "fixing the glitch" on the base jumper side of things, why not "fix the glitch" on the motorist issue. if there is a worry about distractions to the cars then we should propose the idea of some sort of boundry between the road and the side walk other then a 3' concrete wall. if they cant see us then we are nolonger a distraction and no longer an issue for IDOT

stop right there professor! we are only "fixing the glitch."

the "glitch" is US. the road was built for traffic. if we cause a traffic issue, then WE are the problem.

I agree that a view limiting device would allieviate this concern. but they'd expect US to pay for it. they'd simply say, either you pay, or you can't jump. simple. take your pick.

Good strategy.

I was just going to shove my thumb in their eye and run em off the bridge.

But your idea is, um, probably a better approach.

There is too much political weight behind keeping BA$E legal in TF. Everyone who's worried, shu'int be.

Who do you think is going to win that fight? BASE jumpers, or the passengers in the 40,000 vehicles that enjoy that view?

How about forgoing the extra 4 fucking feet you get from standing on the rail? I know and love those who still do it, and bust their balls plenty, but that'll probably change if they force the Perrine underground.

But maybe it's worth burning down the site to look extra cool. I dunno.

There have been several versions of my jump platforms. Some had straps that crossed the walkway others didn't. Some had straps that we tied to the railing that didn't go across the walkway and others didn't have straps at all. It depended on what configuration I needed the platform in. I guess in the future I'll try to stick with one that doesn't need any straps.