stop yelling at disabled vehicles on the playa!

[Shaolinskunk]

Hello beautiful burners, my name is Joel (or big rig on the playa). This year will be my 3rd burn and I can not wait to be home. I have had nothing but amazing experiences and have met so many awesome people but I do have one tiny thing I'd like to bring to your attention. You may or may not know, but the thoughtful folks that organize this event allow people with disabilities to register a vehicle as a disabled driver vehicle. Mine being one of them. To someone in my particular situation this is almost a must! If you think riding a bike across the open playa is hard, try a wheelchair. By allowing myself and others to drive on the playa, BM has really made it possible for me to enjoy the event as others do. Now my only complaint, which is surprising, is a few of my fellow burners! Literally every time I drive somewhere I get yelled at not by rangers or the law but by some of YOU. Things like "your art car blows" or "what makes you so special d-bag"...seriously this happens. It blows my mind. Now I understand this isn't the majority doing so and that seeing a big black truck driving around looks out of place so I brush it off. I even tried adding a little decor to my truck last year, it's just hard to get to crazy with decorations as I have to drive it 24 hrs to and from the playa. On top of that the DMV provides us with a disabled driver sticker and a flag to put in your window. So this year if you see a vehicle that looks out of place or under decorated, instead of yelling rude things, maybe take a closer look...it could just be a quadriplegic trying to enjoy himself the same way you are!! (Yes a quad that can drive) Hell I'll even give you a ride can't wait to see you all this summer- much love, JB

[digital]

Lol, I'm right there with ya. Not disabled, staff. Still I get yelled at all the time. Just like you, "Your art car blows!" Fuck 'em. Seriously.

If you have the nerve to yell at STAFF and disabled people you can blow me. I don't have time to decorate my car cause I'm making this shit happen!

Brush it off. Enjoy your burn. They are idiots.

[Shaolinskunk]

Haha! Well at least I'm not the only one. I'm hoping just one of "those people " reads this and is like "oh wow, silly me!"

[digital]

For the most part our group remains hidden / anonymous on playa. Most us us dress in default clothes and our "art cars" have little more than a strand of Christmas lights for nighttime illumination. It makes for an interesting experience out there. You want to see examples of burnier-than-thou? Dress in normal clothes. Watch the judgment fly.

If only they knew. He he. Just enjoy your burn. Enjoy the mindfuck. ;')

[Shaolinskunk]

I did a few led lights, shoe polish, AND a unicorn hood ornament lol I love the phrase you used, "burnier-than-thou" it's surprising how accurate it is! I also really like the approach you mentioned, I shall certainly enjoy the mindfuck! (As long as I get approved again)

[danibel]

The only cars I yell at are the ones going over 5mph (which is a slow crawl) and kicking up clouds of dust.

go slow, and I will simply smile. And usually it's a org golf cart speeding around (!) Or an LEO (!)

I wish more people would getting speeding ticket and get taught a lesson.

[Shaolinskunk]

See, that I can handle! I never speed and trust me I know how slow that 5mph is...it takes me about an hour to drive from 2:00 to 10:00 lol smiles are WAY better than ignorant comments-

[lucky420]

Hello beautiful burners, my name is Joel (or big rig on the playa). This year will be my 3rd burn and I can not wait to be home. I have had nothing but amazing experiences and have met so many awesome people but I do have one tiny thing I'd like to bring to your attention. You may or may not know, but the thoughtful folks that organize this event allow people with disabilities to register a vehicle as a disabled driver vehicle. Mine being one of them. To someone in my particular situation this is almost a must! If you think riding a bike across the open playa is hard, try a wheelchair. By allowing myself and others to drive on the playa, BM has really made it possible for me to enjoy the event as others do. Now my only complaint, which is surprising, is a few of my fellow burners! Literally every time I drive somewhere I get yelled at not by rangers or the law but by some of YOU. Things like "your art car blows" or "what makes you so special d-bag"...seriously this happens. It blows my mind. Now I understand this isn't the majority doing so and that seeing a big black truck driving around looks out of place so I brush it off. I even tried adding a little decor to my truck last year, it's just hard to get to crazy with decorations as I have to drive it 24 hrs to and from the playa. On top of that the DMV provides us with a disabled driver sticker and a flag to put in your window. So this year if you see a vehicle that looks out of place or under decorated, instead of yelling rude things, maybe take a closer look...it could just be a quadriplegic trying to enjoy himself the same way you are!! (Yes a quad that can drive) Hell I'll even give you a ride can't wait to see you all this summer- much love, JB

Just tell em to "fuck off" Seriously though 2 years ago i was riding in a campmates vehicle and this person has the disability sticker and needs it. So anyhoo we're going back to camp after being out on the playa and some douche bag runs up and fuckin kicks the vehicle! Kicks it! One of the other campmates in the van jumps out and chases douche bag down. I jumped out to provide back up and I find her giving this douche bag such a talking to, she made him cry. it was glorious...

[trilobyte]

I'm sorry to hear of your experience. Perhaps you may want to raise the issue with [email protected] - I suspect it's because the vehicle was not easily identified as being a handicapped vehicle. I'm not sure if they issue you a sticker or a flag, but whatever it is should be easier for people to spot.

As for on-playa decor, I'd say keep it simple. What pops immediately into my mind is to enlist the aid of a campmate or neighbor to do a big symbol on the side or back of your vehicle. You know how people make a man out of tape? Well, maybe a man in an wheelchair? Or just stick to the standard handicapped symbol like you see on parking spots (since most people would recognize the symbol).

Beyond that, I wouldn't let people's comments bother you too much. I seriously doubt that any one of them is knowingly trying to harass you because of your disability, their crime is caring about the event but not seeing the sticker or flag. I'm glad that you're able to get around, and hope this year's burn makes for a much better experience.

[SnowBlind]

I'm not sure if they issue you a sticker or a flag, but whatever it is should be easier for people to spot.

The DMV puts a sticker on the car, similar to the MV and staff stickers. The sticker is the official thing, which allows the car to drive. Every disabled vehicle needs one.

They also have a flag. It similar to those sport team flags you can put on the window of your car. The flag is optional, it's up to the driver whether they want it or not. The purpose of the flag is exactly what was mentioned here, to avoid the disabled burner being heckled by others.

Shaolinskunk, they should ask you at the DMV if you want one, but if they forget just tell them you want it.

[robbidobbs]

I am full time vehicle mobile also, staff. Not only do I have staff sticker, HUGE DPW dinner plate stickers on both sides, but I have writing all over my vehicle, on all sides. I even have a PA on top of my car, where I'm explaining in the Kings fucking English what the fuck I'm doing, and still I get some wise ass tells me my art car sucks. I'm in full costume and have a damn CASE of TP on the roof of my car. How visible and obvious do I need to be? Still I'm daily stopped by someone asking why I'm driving on playa.
Oh they get the nice lecture, oh yes indeed-y doo. But they've just wasted my excruciatingly valuable time with their ignorance. I'm chasing the sun and they're not helping.

Once there was a good stop: a girl on a bike asked me if my car was registered to be on playa. I pointed out the stickers. She then asked my cars name. So I gave her that. She wrote it down all official like! It was hilarious! I thanked her for her performance art.
And then there are the jerks trying to get a ride along on their bike. DO NOT TOUCH MY CAR! Pisses me off.

So a couple years ago I wrote on the hood of my car:
DPW WORK VEHICLE. I AM PROB ON A MISSION.
KEEP THE FLUSHABLE WIPES OUT OF THE PORTA POTTIES.

it wasn't 100% effective, but there were markedly fewer assholes.

So yah, I like the idea of the man in a wheelchair in glass paint on the hood of your truck or both doors. Could work. Model it after my avatar if you'd like.

[some seeing eye]

To the OP. I think there is the expectation of the event as being supportive, especially if you are sensitive, like me. It fact, it is a cult in which some members can be cruel or insensitive enforcing the cult values. Suggested signage is good, but you will never eliminate the 1% that don't get you. One option is to get you own megaphone!

Then the decision is to try to educate your critics to compassion or fight fire with fire.

The files linked at or found on iTunes Burncast 47 is a talk with Mr Fixit on alter mobility at BM and this board has some great experts on getting around.

[VultureChow]

How about a bumper sticker that says "My other art car is a wheelchair?"

[AntiM]

I think the yellers may be freshmen sophomore burners with just enough information to be dangerous, but not enough knowledge to apply it wisely. Experienced burners do not yell, in my experience. Well, unless they're jerks. Or are mixing booze and bullhorns. Not pretty.

[Dr. Pyro]

I Or are mixing mushrooms and bullhorns. Not pretty.

There, fixed it for you.

[Shaolinskunk]

I appreciate all your suggestions! I guess it's good to know I'm not the only one... I do have the stickers and the flag. I actually think the handicap guy on the flag is super cool. I'll probably add a copy of him in tape on my doors this year.

Just to clarify though...this post wasn't intended to sound "whiny"...these people don't ruin anything about the burn for me. It doesn't hurt my feelings or puss me off, I'm just hoping to educate them. Shit, if I cried about all of the things that make being in a chair different or difficult I'd be one miserable dude! So I'll continue shrugging it off and loving every second of the Burn. Maybe I'll even write "YOUR art car blows" somewhere on my truck to see if anyone gets it...but goodness I hate drunk people with bullhorns! Fungus and bullhorns are a different story-

[Shaolinskunk]

*piss me off...

Damn auto correct

[trilobyte]

I didn't think you were being whiny, though there is a certain irony about your complaining about being lumped in with another group (people who drive regular/un-mutated vehicles on the playa) by telling everyone on the board to stop yelling at you....

I'd discourage writing "YOUR art car blows" or something like that on your vehicle, since it wouldn't do anything to help with the problem (people not identifying yours as a registered disabled vehicle) and only likely encourage more people to yell at you on the playa (if you think people get upset at the idea of an un-mutated vehicle now, wait til you make them think you're an un-mutated vehicle that's rubbing it in their faces).

[Just_Joe]

Are there any design people here that could whip up a handicap symbol than incorporates the man logo (eps) ? I got a vinyl cutter for Christmas I'm just itching to use. Please get in touch via PM to talk details.

[lucky420]

ive got one of the man using a walker...

[Shaolinskunk]

Trilobyte..it was a joke about writing that on my car and I'm not complaining about being lumped in with other drivers...I didn't even think about it happening to staff and I've only seen one other disabled driver.

Just_joe if you can find the logo they use on the disabled flag I'd gladly put it on my car. If I remember correctly it's like a mix between the handicap signal, the man symbol, and a pirate flag? I can find mine and take a pic if needed

[Lonesomebri]

Okay, but can I still heckle the people in wheelchairs? When I am standing out by the trash fence and some "staff" vehicle blows by kicking up a shit ton of dust, blowing it in our direction, and they totally know it, I yell at them. I wish I had a bullhorn and a flamethrower. I realize that they are the ones who "make" the event, so them dusting us peons is cool, while we are all just out there whacking off, but that kind of entitlement attitude pusses me off.

[Ratty]

Lonesome, Maybe they are working and have to get there quick. Just think of them as a fire engine or ambulance. They don't always speed by.

[lucky420]

ive got one of the man using a walker...

and to give proper credit, I got this little sticker from Just_Joe. One of them adorns the door plaque to my office at work

[Just_Joe]

ive got one of the man using a walker...

oldburnerlogo (Custom) (2).jpg

and to give proper credit, I got this little sticker from Just_Joe. One of them adorns the door plaque to my office at work

and I got the image here on eplaya after asking permission from the guy who made it. I wish I could remember his name....

[digital]

Okay, but can I still heckle the people in wheelchairs? When I am standing out by the trash fence and some "staff" vehicle blows by kicking up a shit ton of dust, blowing it in our direction, and they totally know it, I yell at them. I wish I had a bullhorn and a flamethrower. I realize that they are the ones who "make" the event, so them dusting us peons is cool, while we are all just out there whacking off, but that kind of entitlement attitude pusses me off.

That's usually the cops, dude. If a staff vehicle is speeding by report it. It's LEO that does whatever the f th want.

However, I have a feeling you're just making shit up. Staff I know get totally bent out of shape when you hit 7 mph.

(What does this have to do with the OP, Bri?)

[ygmir]

Okay, but can I still heckle the people in wheelchairs? When I am standing out by the trash fence and some "staff" vehicle blows by kicking up a shit ton of dust, blowing it in our direction, and they totally know it, I yell at them. I wish I had a bullhorn and a flamethrower. I realize that they are the ones who "make" the event, so them dusting us peons is cool, while we are all just out there whacking off, but that kind of entitlement attitude pusses me off.

if it's outside the fence, it may well be a Perimeter vehicle, heading on an intercept or emergency response. there is not always a way to get there fast and not make dust. and as digital points out, it can be one of several LE agencies, or even Rampart, Earth Guardians......several others.

[danibel]

That's usually the cops, dude. If a staff vehicle is speeding by report it. It's LEO that does whatever the f th want.

However, I have a feeling you're just making shit up. Staff I know get totally bent out of shape when you hit 7 mph.

I have seen MANY staff golf carts speeding down 6:00 or 6:30 kicking up a shit ton of dust - going at least 10mph. When I have yelled I have gotten a finger flipped at me or a "Fuck yer day!" So please don't tell me it's making shit up. Just slow the fuck down.

[digital]

I have seen MANY staff golf carts speeding down 6:00 or 6:30 kicking up a shit ton of dust - going at least 10mph. When I have yelled I have gotten a finger flipped at me or a "Fuck yer day!" So please don't tell me it's making shit up. Just slow the fuck down.

Then report them! They should NOT be driving over 5mph in the city limits!

No one (besides ESD and LEO) is exempt! Period.

[danibel]

I have seen MANY staff golf carts speeding down 6:00 or 6:30 kicking up a shit ton of dust - going at least 10mph. When I have yelled I have gotten a finger flipped at me or a "Fuck yer day!" So please don't tell me it's making shit up. Just slow the fuck down.

Then report them! They should NOT be driving over 5mph in the city limits!

No one (besides ESD and LEO) is exempt! Period.

Report them how, exactly? They are going so fast I can't get a sticker number. And who would I report them too?