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From today's Westword:
[The non-leaders of Critical Mass think Denver can accomodate the Critical Mass ride.] "The route is tiny, and, realistically, people in their cars would maybe be delayed three to five minutes," Kumar says. "By the time the light changes, the riders would be gone."
He understands police frustration with the event -- but not the DPD's inability to find a solution. "I see their point," he says. "But the point of Critical Mass is that we are traffic, too, and we need to be recognized as much as other vehicles."
In the meantime, he's recognized a few things about Denver: "One, policemen here are conservative, and two, it's not a bike-friendly town. But I will say this: Critical Mass has grown exponentially since the price of gas started going up."
http://www.westword.com/Issues/2006-05-04/news/calhoun_1.html
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From today's Westword:
[The non-leaders of Critical Mass think Denver can accomodate the Critical Mass ride.] "The route is tiny, and, realistically, people in their cars would maybe be delayed three to five minutes," Kumar says. "By the time the light changes, the riders would be gone."
He understands police frustration with the event -- but not the DPD's inability to find a solution. "I see their point," he says. "But the point of Critical Mass is that we are traffic, too, and we need to be recognized as much as other vehicles."
In the meantime, he's recognized a few things about Denver: "One, policemen here are conservative, and two, it's not a bike-friendly town. But I will say this: Critical Mass has grown exponentially since the price of gas started going up."
http://www.westword.com/Issues/2006-05-04/news/calhoun_1.html
Let's not forget this quote:
"But according to DPD spokesman Sonny Jackson, the riders themselves failed to follow the rules. "The individuals riding the bikes didn't obey the traffic laws," he says. "Commander Dilley had warned them, but they didn't follow. For public-safety reasons, they stopped them." And then issued seventy citations ranging from disobedience to a traffic signal, to making prohibited turns, to impeding traffic."
They were asked to follow the traffic laws (stopping at traffic control devices, not impeding traffic, etc.). They were warned that they would be ticketed if they didn't. They got busted for being tweerps and jerks and for that Denver isn't a bike friendly town?! What do you want? What do you expect?
Let's not forget this quote:
"But according to DPD spokesman Sonny Jackson, the riders themselves failed to follow the rules. "The individuals riding the bikes didn't obey the traffic laws," he says. "Commander Dilley had warned them, but they didn't follow. For public-safety reasons, they stopped them." And then issued seventy citations ranging from disobedience to a traffic signal, to making prohibited turns, to impeding traffic."
They were asked to follow the traffic laws (stopping at traffic control devices, not impeding traffic, etc.). They were warned that they would be ticketed if they didn't. They got busted for being tweerps and jerks and for that Denver isn't a bike friendly town?! What do you want? What do you expect?
I was in Denver this week for the first time in several years. Saw more bikes downtown than I'm used to, and love what has happened on the west side. Unfortunately, the actions of downtown bikers was sad. I saw too many people zipping in between cars and going the wrong way with no thought of action.
The height of folly was watching one guy come zooming down the sidewalk (this was on 17th street), scared two women to death by nearly hitting them, scared me as well, then got clocked by some burly guy a few yards behind me. The biker got the worst of it. The biker was lucky to get off with a shoulder check and running into the wall of a building.
Interesting, though.
Apparently, there's nothing more reliable than a government spokesman saying that the riders were stopped for "public safety reasons."
I have a bridge I'd like to sell . . . .
cycocommute is right. If you are going to preach that you are traffic, act like it. If you want police to not bother you, don't give them a reason to. I agree with the concept of Critical Mass except that they advocate running lights as a pack of riders and focus too much on the fact that you won't be safe if you lose contact with the pack. For the most part (I realize there are exceptions) I completely disagree with the actions of Critical Mass riders. In my opinion, a true Critical Mass isn't a pack of riders taking up one street. It's riders spread out all over the city which would have the effect of bringing traffic down to the pace of bicycle traffic. Impeding traffic is when you slow the normal flow of traffic but if the normal flow is now at bicycle speed...
Apparently, there's nothing more reliable than a government spokesman saying that the riders were stopped for "public safety reasons."
I have a bridge I'd like to sell . . . .
Current score: 3 against CM, 1 for lawlessness.
What, exactly, have you or CM done to improve bicycling in Denver? Ride around pissing people off!? That helps a lot! Or do you guys just sit around like People's Front of Judea, drawing up mission statements and standing up for Stan's right to gestate but not really ever doing anything?
Get a clue. Get a life.
cycocommute is right. If you are going to preach that you are traffic, act like it. If you want police to not bother you, don't give them a reason to. I agree with the concept of Critical Mass except that they advocate running lights as a pack of riders and focus too much on the fact that you won't be safe if you lose contact with the pack. For the most part (I realize there are exceptions) I completely disagree with the actions of Critical Mass riders. In my opinion, a true Critical Mass isn't a pack of riders taking up one street. It's riders spread out all over the city which would have the effect of bringing traffic down to the pace of bicycle traffic. Impeding traffic is when you slow the normal flow of traffic but if the normal flow is now at bicycle speed...
Very good point... CM could start a rally at one point, but then tell the riders to go off in all directions and strictly obey the traffic laws. Perhaps pairing up the riders would be an even better idea. But a mass of cyclists only tends to look like a parade... and a lot like a disruption to those in autos.
I'd rather put my weight behind cycling advocacy groups that don't manage to piss me off.
Like bicycle colorado. At least they understand the concept of working together with the other side to improve things.
I'm strongly in favor of law and order - and strongly support Critical Mass. Just thought I'd throw that out there, since Cyccommute is apparently counting. ;)
Very good point... CM could start a rally at one point, but then tell the riders to go off in all directions and strictly obey the traffic laws. Perhaps pairing up the riders would be an even better idea. But a mass of cyclists only tends to look like a parade... and a lot like a disruption to those in autos.
I like this idea! The goals of CM are laudable. I agree with many of them. Our society is too dependent on the automobile. I've even practiced what I've preached since at least 1980 but...I've also ridden in an uberlawful manner since I started. I stop at all lights and stopsigns. I signal turns. If I am moving at the speed of traffic, I take my place in that traffic (I ride in the lane). If I can't keep up with the traffic flow, I, courteously, move aside - not into the gutter - but I make it so that cars can pass me if they wish while giving me plenty of room. I don't pass cars on the right at traffic control devices, I always - always!- take my place behind the last car in line when I get there. Not to his right but directly behind him so that traffic can see me.
I know this makes me shadowy. I know that people don't pay too much attention to me as they ride but then why should they. Do car drivers really notice other drivers who are operating in a lawful manner? Or do they get upset when someone breaks the rules?
Now here's a thought for you, chennai (I know you are reading even though you said you'd ignore me:D ). On the next CM event, what would happen if 100 cyclists started riding downtown, 2 abreast, in a loooong line? What would happen to traffic if everyone of those 50 pairs of cyclists were to come to a complete and full stop, lined up in that loooong line, at every stopsign and stoplight? Not a wheel overlapped but leaving distance between them and the next bike in line (say a foot). Each bike is around 6 feet long, with the extra foot, 7 feet long. The line of bicyclists would be 350 to 400 feet long! Now that's what I call a road block.
Now, have each and every cyclist stop at each traffic control device just like they should. If it is a stopsign, come to a complete stop, foot down if you like, look both ways for traffic and cross only if it is clear. Think of the time it would take for the whole line to clear a stopsign! It could take 5 or 10 minutes per block! Think of doing a left turn!!!! All of it lawfully performed. No cops could stop you for anything! They would be impotent!
Hows that for passive/agressive behavior?! Your impact would be 100 times what you get now. And all of it perfectly legal.
I like this idea! The goals of CM are laudable. I agree with many of them. Our society is too dependent on the automobile. I've even practiced what I've preached since at least 1980 but...I've also ridden in an uberlawful manner since I started. I stop at all lights and stopsigns. I signal turns. If I am moving at the speed of traffic, I take my place in that traffic (I ride in the lane). If I can't keep up with the traffic flow, I, courteously, move aside - not into the gutter - but I make it so that cars can pass me if they wish while giving me plenty of room. I don't pass cars on the right at traffic control devices, I always - always!- take my place behind the last car in line when I get there. Not to his right but directly behind him so that traffic can see me.
I know this makes me shadowy. I know that people don't pay too much attention to me as they ride but then why should they. Do car drivers really notice other drivers who are operating in a lawful manner? Or do they get upset when someone breaks the rules?
Now here's a thought for you, chennai (I know you are reading even though you said you'd ignore me:D ). On the next CM event, what would happen if 100 cyclists started riding downtown, 2 abreast, in a loooong line? What would happen to traffic if everyone of those 50 pairs of cyclists were to come to a complete and full stop, lined up in that loooong line, at every stopsign and stoplight? Not a wheel overlapped but leaving distance between them and the next bike in line (say a foot). Each bike is around 6 feet long, with the extra foot, 7 feet long. The line of bicyclists would be 350 to 400 feet long! Now that's what I call a road block.
Now, have each and every cyclist stop at each traffic control device just like they should. If it is a stopsign, come to a complete stop, foot down if you like, look both ways for traffic and cross only if it is clear. Think of the time it would take for the whole line to clear a stopsign! It could take 5 or 10 minutes per block! Think of doing a left turn!!!! All of it lawfully performed. No cops could stop you for anything! They would be impotent!
Hows that for passive/agressive behavior?! Your impact would be 100 times what you get now. And all of it perfectly legal.
Well said - except the shadowy part. I know many motorists notice me when I line up in traffic, or sit waiting at a red light, but not in a negative way.
Al
Well said - except the shadowy part. I know many motorists notice me when I line up in traffic, or sit waiting at a red light, but not in a negative way.
Al
My brain got ahead of my fingers. By 'shadowy' I mean as just another piece of traffic. Drivers only tend to notice, and get mad at, people who are doing something wrong.
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