Advocacy & Safety - Critical Mass Arrests

There was a Critical Mass event in Portland, Oregon today, and the news showed that there were about 7 arrests. There were a lot of cyclists there, and a bike shop owner was interviewed. He responded that Portland is one of the nicest cities for bicycling in the USA. But the depiction of arrests was not pleasant for me to see. They also showed one cyclist, shot from the air, going up on a curb. The TV commentator asked us to watch how close he came to a pedestrian. It was not too close in my observation--about 10 feet--but close enough to be used as a poor example on TV. There were hundreds of peaceful riders there, but only the handfull who "disobeyed the rules" were arrested. Some of them spit on the police, which made for a very poor presentation on TV of bicyclists. I have never participated in this kind of event, and was wondering about the reaction of other cyclists to what I have described.

John

They sure don't represent me. :irritated It's hard enough for me to get accepted as a road user without people acting like that.

If they really want to make a change in peoples' perception of bicyclists, they should all take an Effective Cycling course and then go ride their bicycles vehicularly all over the city. The sight of hundreds of cyclists stopping at stop signs, signalling turns and lane changes, and generally practicing good citizenship, would be a real change of pace here in Spokane, I can tell you that! Of course, this would be much harder than just clogging a street en masse... :rolleyes:

Then, why can 8000 of us ride Seattle to POrtland where there is more disruption of traffic and at least as much illegal riding as on CM and get HELPED constantly by cops instead of harrassed?
Is it that we're all middle-class and middle-aged, on road bikes with numbers on our asses, or is it just that PDX has an out-of-control Nordic thug as a police chief? An inquiring mind wants to know.

Bike riders criticize police after clash
The Oregonian
09/01/02
LAURA OPPENHEIMER AND STUART TOMLINSON


Bicycle enthusiasts who gathered Saturday night to celebrate two-wheeled travel bemoaned that their monthly Critical Mass ride exploded into a confrontation with Portland police 24 hours earlier.

Officers from three precincts issued 47 citations and arrested nine people during the activist group's bicycle ride Friday in downtown Portland.

Sgt. Brian Schmautz, spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau, said the accusations against the nine arrested included disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, interfering with a police officer, criminal mischief and attempted assault on a police officer.

"There may be additional charges," Schmautz said.

Dozens of Critical Mass participants gathered Saturday at City Bikes in Southeast Portland for a book signing.

Most said police had no right to use pepper spray, stun guns or brute force against bike riders Friday. Some acknowledged that Critical Mass riders sometimes run red lights to keep the group together.

"I know why they were there," Ethan Jewett, a Portland resident who regularly participates in Critical Mass, said of the police. "But they didn't need to be there like that."

For the past several months, Schmautz said, complaints have increased about vandalism and theft tied to the monthly event. He said officers were spat upon and rocks were thrown during Friday's three-hour ride, which drew hundreds of bicyclists.

Jewett said he has left Critical Mass rides in the past when a few people banged on cars or intentionally rode down streets the wrong way. But Jewett and others said most Critical Mass riders don't cause problems and simply want to promote biking as a good alternative to cars.

Fred Nemo, a longtime participant and organizer, said Critical Mass doesn't plan to file formal complaints about police conduct. But riders network with lawyers who likely will provide free service to those cited or arrested, Nemo said.

Schmautz said the names of those arrested were not available because the arrests were handled by officers from separate precincts and after-action reports had not yet been filed.

Police said about 200 riders participated Friday; organizers put the number at 650. Either way, Portland's monthlong BikeSummer activities, which drew participants from New York City, San Francisco and elsewhere, may have contributed to the high numbers.

Riders at the book signing Saturday viewed a homemade video that showed officers subduing riders on the ground to be handcuffed and dragging one man upside down toward a police car. They said police tied up traffic more than the bikers did.

"In my opinion, they broke more traffic laws than we did," said Michael Green, a rider from New York.

We have some good Critical Mass riders on this forum I respect. I wonder why things sometimes go wrong on these rides. Could it be that it attracts a few people who have the wrong vision?

The term, "critical mass" implies something explosive. Is the purpose to attract the attention of the media? Yet the media often focus on the negatives and the police confrontations.

I suppose it's a double-edged sword: the conflicts can provide needed attention, but the negative attention can have unintended results.

Bear in mind that Portland is afflicted with a mayor who listens to the real estate development community a bit too much, and who has brought in a police chief formerly from the LAPD schooled by paramilitary right-wing psycho Darryl Gates.

This whole affair sounds counterproductive to me. I like most people as individuals, but this report simply reinforces my hatred of crowds, mobs, etc. I want/expect to be accommodated on our public roadways; my price of admission is lawful vehicular cycling and respect for other road users. (I did yell this morning at a pickup truck driver who honked me obnoxiously for taking the outside lane on a 4-lane stretch of Pacific Coast Highway 101. I was simply maintaining a straight line about a meter away from the parked cars, in a lane too narrow for safe side-by-side bike/car sharing.) We desperately need the support of law enforcement, traffic engineering, and legislatures at all levels of government.

Chicago Critical Mass currently has a fairly good relationship with the police. In the couple of years that I've been riding , the police have generally been helpful to us. Several factors play into this:

1) Tourists enjoy Chicago Critical Mass and it helps promote a good image of the city. They smile when they see a three-piece band being pulled by a bicycle. They smile when they see bicyclists on 19th century high-riders or modern day novelty bikes. They laugh when they see bicyclists wearing silly costumes. They take lots of pictures and have stories to tell their friends. They enjoy the festive party atmosphere which leaves a much better image of Chicago than the tail pipes exhaust from SUV's.

2) A street on which a Critical Mass ride is taking place is safer and has less accidents on it than an automobile-clogged road. Statistically a lot of people die every year getting run over by automobiles, whereas it's statistically rare to die in a collision with a bicycle. And the Massers aren't distracted by cell phones or by the claustophobia of being stuck insider a car -- so they are paying more attention to what they are doing than they typical motorist.

3) The Loop is maxed out in terms of how many cars that it can handle. Studies by the City of Chicago now suggest that Loop real estate is too valuable to keep building more parking garages. So being helpful towards events that get people enthused about alternative forms of transportation is considered valuable for the future of the Loop.

Originally posted by ViciousCycle
Chicago Critical Mass currently has a fairly good relationship with the police. In the couple of years that I've been riding , the police have generally been helpful to us. Several factors play into this:

1) Tourists enjoy Chicago Critical Mass and it helps promote a good image of the city. They smile when they see a three-piece band being pulled by a bicycle. They smile when they see bicyclists on 19th century high-riders or modern day novelty bikes. They laugh when they see bicyclists wearing silly costumes. They take lots of pictures and have stories to tell their friends. They enjoy the festive party atmosphere which leaves a much better image of Chicago than the tail pipes exhaust from SUV's.


Chicago Critical Mass sounds like a model for all the others.

Wow. :thumbup:

That's the kind of thing we need!

Vicious cycle.. In July We were in Singapore.. A city that crowded must restrict the use of autos..They are big objects taking up limited space and are considered unnecessary by urban planners in Singapore.. There cars have meters and responders that track the locations of autos. You enter the central business district, you are charged for occupying space, much as if you were parking.
The government tries to discourage auto useage during rush hours, since it is such an ineffective means of mass transport.
But, it was odd. Bicycles could so much more effectively minimize spacial needs and parking needs reduced..
The government is obviously trying to promote mass transit.. I did recall reading,that a member of the Singapore cabibet was trying to promote cycle lanes on a major east- west highway so cycle commuting would be encouraged. Did not see much cycling there really- streets too hectic..

I have never condoned critical mass rides.
Like many others here, I think cyclists have a hard enough time getting motorists to share the road with them or respect their right to ride on the road.

CM generally pisses off more motorists than it persuades to our point of view. :( I guess that's why I've never participated in one of these rides.

I don't do CM rides but have done many, many mass rides of other kinds and for a few years did some ABL of A road racing;
EVERY group of cyclists annoys motorists--WE ARE ALL CRITICAL MASS RIDERS, EVERY ONE OF US, UNLESS WE ARE MOUNTAIN BIKERS WHO NEVER RIDE ON PAVEMENT OR TRACKIES WHO NEVER TRAIN ON THE ROAD! There is no damned difference between the century rider, the licensed racer, the tourist in a group, and Critical Mass. When will you all wake up about this?

If we were to be completely candid about it, motorists hold their own "critical mass" rides every weekday, twice daily.

:(

Good point there, LBM!

Originally posted by LittleBigMan
If we were to be completely candid about it, motorists hold their own "critical mass" rides every weekday, twice daily.

:(

Yes indeed. And they outnumber us. They outweigh us. And their political influence is by far stronger than ours. Only solution I see is more well behaved cyclists on the roads. Not at all sure about the apparent strategy of confrontation.

Carl

Again, passive/aggressive resistance--if you see a car theft happening, walk away and say nothing.

Originally posted by Feldman
Again, passive/aggressive resistance--if you see a car theft happening, walk away and say nothing.

Not sure whether this was in response to my last post. If so, let me say this.

Were I to witness a felony in progress, I would stop my bike and use my cell phone to call the appropriate authorities.

To respond in like kind to all too common incidents of minor misbehavior and discourtesy or petty legal offenses, I'd be a walker rather than a cyclist as I stopped to react to each one.

I'm neither passive nor aggressive. Just practical. I am also aware that my efforts would be very unlikely to bring about behavioral changes in others. Rather, I expect otherwise minor situations would escalate at my expense.

Carl

Life itself is a confrontration for resources.. Motorists would much prefer that bike lane not exist- and they are convinced; if we had ANOTHER highway lane the traffic problem would go away.
From what I see road construction and improvements only bring on the development of more construction and very soon more overcrowding of everything.
My point, whether it is the methods of CM or the more civil methods of cycling advocates, such as bicycling coalitions- getting what you want from the government is by its nature confrontration.
You don't fight for your needs and make your stand for your rights- you will be left without.. I am sure most motorists would rather we go away and let them have their road to themselves.. One less obstacle for them to handle in thier rush home. I do mean rush..
Just the other day, I took some abuse at a shopping center parking lot in Temecula.. Started with cat callls...Some A. holes insulted me just because I have a cycling roof rack on my car. Punk kids talked about running me over, when not in the car. Looked like fat slobs about early 20's.. Also made accusations about my sexuality..

And, let's make Sept 11, 2002, a carless day--keep money out of the hands of terrorists for a day. Why, oh why won't the alt-trans community get it's neck a little red and pick up this ball and ****ing run with it?

Critical mass is a total and complete waste of time. It's all well and good to talk about 'standing up for your rights' and all the rest of it, but what does critical mass actually achieve? The answer is nothing. All it does is p!ss people off. It's not going to change the mind of drivers who dislike cyclists, but it might just change the mind of those who are on our side. Yes, the media coverage may well portray it inaccurately (wouldn't be the first time) but the media coverage is what people are going to see.

I can't believe any rational cyclist would participate in this farce.

Originally posted by Chris L
Critical mass is a total and complete waste of time. It's all well and good to talk about 'standing up for your rights' and all the rest of it, but what does critical mass actually achieve? The answer is nothing. All it does is p!ss people off. It's not going to change the mind of drivers who dislike cyclists, but it might just change the mind of those who are on our side. Yes, the media coverage may well portray it inaccurately (wouldn't be the first time) but the media coverage is what people are going to see.

I can't believe any rational cyclist would participate in this farce.

I agree with you there Chris, but can sympathise with those who want to be a bit more militant in standing up for their rights. Otherwise the groups with more effective advocacy and better backing (in this case the motor and oil industry) push governments to promote their interests.

CM sometimes makes me wonder if they leave others with the image that all cyclist are weird lefty sandal wearing veggies. (For the avoidance of doubt I don't wear sandals :))

I do not agree with the methods of CM, but I do suggest, we do not just ride and think elements will not attempt to take that right away from us.. Don't endorse being redicilious, but we should be involved..
My advocacy group is Adventure Cycling.. If I lived closer to San Diego I would be active in the San Diego Bicycle Coalition.

Originally posted by chewa

CM sometimes makes me wonder if they leave others with the image that all cyclist are weird lefty sandal wearing veggies. (For the avoidance of doubt I don't wear sandals :))

When I go to a Critical Mass, I see a wide cross spectrum of the cyling community: mothers who bring along their children, teachers, lawyers, transportation advocates who have devoted their careers to working for non-profit organizations, professionals, students, bike messengers, public servants, writers, and many more. When I see Critical Mass being described in an online forum, it seems like I've stepped into some virtual reality that bears little relationship to the real thing.

Critical Mass has provided me networking for volunteer and advocacy opportunities in the area where I live. I can't say the same for any online forum that I've ever been on.

For a second time in BikeForums, I say, "Good-bye all." I need to put more energy into some upcoming volunteer opportunities, and I need to get out of cyberspace.

Vicious cycle has a very valid point. We all get so engaged in sterotyping.. We make judgements, have we ever been first hand to their functions. Then you can make your own assessments..
News reports are often totally off base. Yes, there are always side-liners who go too far; but that is very likely inaccurate of the actions of the whole group..

Originally posted by ViciousCycle
For a second time in BikeForums, I say, "Good-bye all." I need to put more energy into some upcoming volunteer opportunities, and I need to get out of cyberspace.

VC, It was nice to see you drop back in, i love reading your posts. Good luck with your latest project, see ya in a few! :D

Originally posted by ViciousCycle
For a second time in BikeForums, I say, "Good-bye all." I need to put more energy into some upcoming volunteer opportunities, and I need to get out of cyberspace.
Tim, you should follow your best judgement.

However, in my opinion, both you and your wife have posted some of the most valuable insights on this forum. For you to unplug would be a total waste.

If everyone agrees with you, you're not getting anything accomplished!

Don't give up the fight

Pete

Originally posted by ViciousCycle

Critical Mass has provided me networking for volunteer and advocacy opportunities in the area where I live. I can't say the same for any online forum that I've ever been on.

For a second time in BikeForums, I say, "Good-bye all." I need to put more energy into some upcoming volunteer opportunities, and I need to get out of cyberspace.

The truth is that volunteering opportunities will arise without the need to participate in some kind of action that will only upset people. It's all well and good to talk about "standing up for our rights" and whatever else, but all I see critical mass doing is upsetting enough people to have cyclists eventually banned from roads completely. I think more friendly, positive events like "ride to work day" and so on that actually encourage people to get out and ride are more effective than confrontation will ever be.

Having said all that, I hope that my rather forthright post previously was not the thing that prompted you to bid us farewell. I didn't mean to cause offence and I hope you decide to stick around.

VC,

I started this thread, more to find out reaction to the news media than to make any value judgements on the Critical Mass events. I'm learning, and in order to do so, need all people's input. I especially valued yours, so if you do decide not to participate for awhile, feel you have a home here to voice your opinion when you can. I have not yet made any judgement on the Critical Mass, and want find out as much as I can about the events.

In the last 4 years, I've nearly been killed twice by cars. I don't want to give up cycling, but I do want to live to a ripe 'ol age too, say 108. To do that, I need to keep exercising, and bicycling will be a vital part of my exercise program, as will be swimming. But bicycling is more than just an exercise--it has the potential to again revolutionize the way people get around in a city, especially a modern city. It has me fascinated, and I want to know all about various kinds of activities--Critical Mass being one.

Good luck, and best wishes. Don't stay away too long.

John

Originally posted by ViciousCycle


When I go to a Critical Mass, I see a wide cross spectrum of the cyling community: mothers who bring along their children, teachers, lawyers, transportation advocates who have devoted their careers to working for non-profit organizations, professionals, students, bike messengers, public servants, writers, and many more. When I see Critical Mass being described in an online forum, it seems like I've stepped into some virtual reality that bears little relationship to the real thing.

Critical Mass has provided me networking for volunteer and advocacy opportunities in the area where I live. I can't say the same for any online forum that I've ever been on.

For a second time in BikeForums, I say, "Good-bye all." I need to put more energy into some upcoming volunteer opportunities, and I need to get out of cyberspace.

VC perhaps on re reading my post I had better clarify. I support people who stand up for their views. I feel however, that, while CM is a broad cross section of people (I went on a ride here last year), the publicity always falls on the more extreme element. That's media bias, and in my post I meant that this is sometimes the only view people get.

Didn't mean to cause any offence.

Critical Mass is a complete embarrassment to serious riders. They are the fringe. They do not represent good cyclists and good cycling. Period. In fact, they represent exactly the opposite.

Here's a quote from a Chicago Critical Mass leader. Sounds downright illegal, dangerous, and stupid behavior to me, guaranteed to raise the ire of drivers everywhere:


In essence, Critical Mass rides are a sort of nonviolent direct resistance to auto traffic - we gather together in sufficient numbers, take over the roads, ignore stop lights, and don't allow drivers to pass. Riders at the head of the pack block off side streets. If a driver does attempt to break through the pack from the rear, several bikers will jump in front of the car and stop it in its tracks. I've seen some very angry confrontations result from this.

You can read more drivel here: http://www.chicagocriticalmass.org/ridereports/june02.html

And Chicago is a "good" Critical Mass? Please.

I don't know about Chicago, but from what I've heard the Critical Mass in San Francisco has brought about profound changes in favor of Cyclists during the past decade in that city. If one sticks to 'traditional' advocacy groups, we only get more shared paths and deadly bicycle lanes. That really gets us no where, and if we do nothing, we continue to get run down by maniacal death machines until we die. That's not exactly an enticing outcome either. Maybe Critical Mass doesn't accomplish much, but in the ways that matter, it accomplishes at least as much as any other form of bike advocacy.

Running a red light (with C.M. it's even safe!) is certainly not the worst crime in the world. One would think it would be clear to observers who the bad guys are when you see pigs beating and gassing cyclists who are standing up for their rights.

"Profound changes" in San Francisco? You've got to be kidding!!

Critical Mass in SF has alienated good, serious, law-abiding cyclists -- BIG TIME.

Maybe CM did bring about profound changes, come to think of it. Now motorists think all bikers are losers.

Originally posted by mechBgon
They sure don't represent me. :irritated It's hard enough for me to get accepted as a road user without people acting like that.

If they really want to make a change in peoples' perception of bicyclists, they should all take an Effective Cycling course and then go ride their bicycles vehicularly all over the city. The sight of hundreds of cyclists stopping at stop signs, signalling turns and lane changes, and generally practicing good citizenship, would be a real change of pace here in Spokane, I can tell you that! Of course, this would be much harder than just clogging a street en masse... :rolleyes:

I have to call attention to this post toward the front of this discussion because it is probably a good idea. With regard to CM, it is not much to go from the tactics they use now to the tactics that mechBgon advocates.

As to the strategy of vehicular cycling en-mass, it is almost like CM. What the CM riders have found though, is when anyone bicycles en-mass, there is a large backlash that comes from moterists. It is not their tactics, just the fact that they are en-mass that makes moterists enraged enough to hurt people. So the stick together and ignore stoplights so they can stay together and for protection.

The point of CM is that cyclists cannot bike en-mass on a regular basis without harrassment regardless if the cyclists are legal or not. It is this idea that CM is trying to challenge.

Originally posted by Andy Dreisch
Critical Mass is a complete embarrassment to serious riders. They are the fringe. They do not represent good cyclists and good cycling. Period. In fact, they represent exactly the opposite.

Here's a quote from a Chicago Critical Mass leader. Sounds downright illegal, dangerous, and stupid behavior to me, guaranteed to raise the ire of drivers everywhere:



You can read more drivel here: http://www.chicagocriticalmass.org/ridereports/june02.html

And Chicago is a "good" Critical Mass? Please.

Sounds to me like they are priming drivers to take out their frustrations on the next lone rider they see. I hope it isn't me.

Carl

Brian, I was thinking about that (en masse vehicular riding) last year. Unfortunately, I think it would be profoundly unsafe. Cyclists are, in most places, allowed to ride two-abreast. If there were hundreds of riders riding two across and many blocks deep, we would end up with maniacs trying to get past the entire line all at once by flooring it. I encounter this on all organized rides, but if this happened in the city it would be much more unsafe, and collisions would likely occur. In urban areas, I think the same problem would arise even if the entire ride were single file. I truly believe that Critical Mass does it in the only safe way possible.

On a side note, if some moron is stuck behind the mass in a car, I fail to see why it never occurs to them to simply take a different street.

Originally posted by morsen
On a side note, if some moron is stuck behind the mass in a car, I fail to see why it never occurs to them to simply take a different street.
Possibly because all the mayhem caused by the upstanding CMers prevent such an escape? What about the people blocked from cross streets? Not just those that are lucky enough to be behind the CM mayhem and able to circumvent it. Are they morons for being at the wrong place at the wrong time?

Originally posted by morsen
Brian, I was thinking about that (en masse vehicular riding) last year. Unfortunately, I think it would be profoundly unsafe. Cyclists are, in most places, allowed to ride two-abreast. If there were hundreds of riders riding two across and many blocks deep, we would end up with maniacs trying to get past the entire line all at once by flooring it.

This is the whole point, I think of CM. We lawfully have the right to have hundreds of riders on the street, and would have that number if more people who could ride did. I know of no law that limits the number of cyclists (if they are considered vehicles) on a single stretch of street at one time. Some states get around this by saying that we are not vehicles, but have all the rights and responsibilities of vehicles. Then if there are too many on the street, the police can say that it is an illegal public demonstration, not just a whole bunch of people traveling by bicycle at the same time.

In CM's case, it is a demonstration, but it is trying to illuminate the inequality that cyclists encounter on the road. Cars are allowed to travel en masse on the road, but bicycles are not.

Originally posted by Brian Ratliff
... Cars are allowed to travel en masse on the road, but bicycles are not.
What would you call a sponsored event, like local century or club rides?

And, specifically, what law prohibits bicycles from traveling en masse?

CM is a chance for people to flout the law under the guise of a worthwhile cause. If bicycles weren't used then something else (rollerblades?) would be substituted, in my opinion.

Originally posted by morsen
On a side note, if some moron is stuck behind the mass in a car, I fail to see why it never occurs to them to simply take a different street.

Just a thought ... Maybe they should ride single file and not run red lights. This would not interfere with the flow of traffic.
:beer:

Originally posted by Stor Mand


Just a thought ... Maybe they should ride single file and not run red lights. This would not interfere with the flow of traffic.
:beer:

How then do they get media attention? It seems their point is made only by misbehavior.

I happened to witness our local version of CM here, about 2 years ago, before they seemingly disappeared from the scene:
about 2 dozen guys (no women), most with awful tatoos, piercings, and ugly short buzz jobs, all riding ATBs or old salvation-army specials, weaving back and forth during rush hour, on the busiest street in town, chanting obscene and anti-corporate slogans.
Sheesh!

For those who think critical mass is a 'necessary' way to promote cycling. How about you try this:

Riding to and from work or wherever, using the bike as a daily means of transportation in the real world, and perhaps showing others that it is not only quite possible, but even quite easy with a little bit of planning.

Now, I know it mightn't be as "kewl, man!" as riding in a CM. It might not even get the attention of as many people. However, I'll give you one tip -- it will be a hell of a lot more effective, and gain a helluva lot more respect for cyclists on roads generally.

Okay, I think I see a vicious circle forming here. In order to get media attention, Critical Mass must use weird tactics which attract attention. To do so, the tactics include breaking the law by not only running red lights, but also by their behavior toward drivers and others (police, pedestrians). This draws media attention to the bicyclists, but not to their message. It draws attention to the fact that they are breaking the law, acting outlandishly, insulting people, spitting on police...Martin Luther King would roll in his grave.

This behavior reinforces the steriotypes in the public's mind about bicyclists; it shows them not as serious modes of transportation which cut air pollution, free space that a car would take, provide life-enhancing exercise, and cost a fraction of a car, but as something else in their lives which make things worse, not better.

From what I can tell, the planning is not there to got a positive message across. There appears not to be any self-policing of the CM members, no prior agreement as to what is acceptable behavior on the bicycles during the demonstration, no prior communication with news media to give a message for the event, no real comprehensive reason for the event other than to say bicycles exist and can make motorist's lives complicated too. Is this really what CM enthusiasts want?

John

John, have you witnessed or read about poor relations between CM and pedestrians? I am sure they happen at least sporadically, but in my experience, the pedestrians love Critical Mass. Most likely because they are not stopped in traffic because of it. :D

Vicious noted that in Chicago the onlookers treat it as a parade and enjoy it very much. I think it is probably very dependent on the locale, as well as on the size of the ride. I quit going to CM here in Seattle because they were belligerent and because it looks ridiculous for 30 riders to take up the entire (3 lane, one way) street. Just because CM fails in some instances doesn't mean it can't be successful and good in others. The cops have just as much to do overall with things turning sour as the CM'ers do, but the CM'ers aren't out beating and gassing people (in those instances where that happens). :D

Originally posted by morsen
The cops have just as much to do overall with things turning sour as the CM'ers do, but the CM'ers aren't out beating and gassing people (in those instances where that happens). :D

Is it possible that some CM'ers are getting what they deserve?
:beer:

Has anyone on this thread ever actually ridden in PDX critical mass? I've ridden on a few rides, regrettably not the one being discussed, and I have always found it to be happy, outgoing and celebratory. I never witnessed any outright aggresiveness towards any drivers beyond some sloganeering and flyering. As with the August 22nd Bush protest police riot, I believe the actions of the riders is being entirely misconstrued by whatever joke media broadcast video of the ride. Critical Mass is asking for what we really want, i.e. safe streets & public space in this town that is rapidly being denied both. Should we just continue to pedal on in anonymity in the hopes that a bone might be tossed our way? Not likely. If you don't ask for what you want, you have to be satisfied with what you get. And why are the peaceful CM riders being blamed for the aggresiveness of the out-of-control sociopathic Portland police? As for blocking traffic, as long as the ride is moving drivers are delayed for only a few minutes, but when the cops stop the ride and start busting heads the whole town grinds to a halt. All you naysayers might want to see for yourself what you're railing against before making negative statements about people who are, in the end, on your side. Oh, and don't believe a damn thing you hear on the evening news. It's all lies and omissions when it comes to CM. For some truth, check out this site:

http://www.subluna.com/criticalmass/rides/rides.php?ID=50

If a driver were to get beaten, pepper-sprayed and arrested for running a red light, would society and the media blame the victim? I think not, but here we are blaming the cyclists for the police riot that took place.

Peace, all.

Originally posted by Stor Mand


Is it possible that some CM'ers are getting what they deserve?
:beer:
If you were beaten and gassed for breaking the speed limit in your car, would you be getting what you deserve? You would be intentionally breaking the law as well, but since it would be a selfish act instead of a political act, you would get away with it.

I rode on this particular CM ride in Portland (my first). Though I never saw what the particular arrested people were doing because I was more in the back, it did seem like the police were out of control of the situation. They had obviously gotten notice from the higher-ups that they should stop all people who are not following the law. With 700 people chanting "Let him go!" and the cops outnumbered, I saw them pull out the pepper spray from their cars.

I did see them stop a guy who had a stereo on his bike because of a "noise disturbance." The guy then said he didn't have any ID, lied about his name, at which point the police put him on the ground and looked like they were in the process of arresting him. If that isn't uncalled for........

I will definately return to another Critical Mass ride. Though it does piss some drivers off that the bicycles are blocking their way, I think it shows the city that their are bike riders who are passionate about it as an alternative to cars. The group of people that were around me were all generally happy, smiling and waving at the people in the street with a lot of people returning the wave. (Then there was a woman on the side of the road getting written a ticket for riding while waving, I guess the cop felt she was "out of control" of her bike, sheesh!)

It seemed like a pretty positive ride except the incidents where the police got involved.

Maybe I will try starting with the Wussy Mass ride that I have heard that starts in alternative location in the Park Blocks and doesn't attract all the really beligerent people.

Originally posted by Bikesalot
Critical Mass is asking for what we really want, i.e. safe streets & public space in this town that is rapidly being denied both. Should we just continue to pedal on in anonymity in the hopes that a bone might be tossed our way? Not likely.

Asking for what you want is only good if people can hear you. The trouble is that with critical mass they can't. Think about it. Sure, they can see the protest, but as you said, the media only shows the confrontational side of it. Hence, any non-cyclist who is actually thinking of taking up cycling will probably decide not to do so after seeing that. Yes, I know the media coverage is probably inaccurate, but it's what people will see.

Now, on the other hand, you could try actually using your own bike for transport and whatever else. You could try showing people that you are actually a legitimate road user and that the bicycle is a viable transport option in the real world. If you do this, others might think about doing it, and this is the only way to get what you really want.

Remember, more people cycling means more votes on your side rather than against you.

Your point that the media tend to show only the confrontational aspects of CM is well taken. It's the unfortunate truth. However, does this mean that cyclists should give up on supposedly "confrontational" riding? In some places, simply riding in the lane and not the gutter is considered disruptive and the offender is treated much like CMers in Portland. It's the same confrontation (an affront to the status quo), but on a different scale. My point is, there is legitimacy in CM's motives and tactics, and those who witness the ride with their own eyes can see this clearly. If the media distort the truth, well, it wouldn't be the first time. That's no excuse to stop riding, though. Perhaps Australia has a less-censored press than the ol' US of A, and non-confrontational activists can actually get their message out.

Also, what proof can you assert that those who might otherwise take up cycling wouldn't after seeing a CM ride? I have several friends who witnessed the ride and police riot from their rooftop and have asked me to help them get their bikes up and running again so they can participate in next month's CM.

On your second point, I am myself a daily, transportational, vehicular cyclist. So is nearly every other CM rider, whether they are students, professionals, bike messengers, etc. Unfortunately, as individuals we are essentially invisible to Portland's autocentric managers and motoring majority. Friday's Critical Mass was the end of Bikesummer 2002, which was a month-long event designed to bring together bike advocates from around the country and around the world to showcase cycling as a transportational mode and all-around Good Thing. There were sporting events, overnight trips, repair workshops, teach-ins, etc. It was not organized by any civic branch but was the work of dedicated volunteers. It merited all of one article in each of the major area news outlets, and absolutely nothing on the teevee news. Surely it put some people on their bikes, but it got virtually no publicity despite the fact that it was apolitical, peaceful and non-confrontational. On the other hand CM gets lots of coverage, nearly every month. So which is better? An "acceptable" yet invisible event, or a boisterous, "unacceptable" event that puts bikes and their issues in the forefront of the public mind, even if for just the evening news cycle? And just to set the record straight, it was the police who decided to make this into a violent, headline-worthy event.

My point in all this ranting is, it takes a diversity of tactics to achieve our common goals. Obviously something is working because the numbers of commuter, recreational and other types of cyclists have been steadily increasing in the three years that I've been a dedicated Portland cyclist. And, as perhaps a more important indicator, drivers have become more and more courteous and observant of cyclists' rights.

I'd like to see some proof that Critical Mass has not contributed to these advances.

Again, peace, all.