Hey Everyone! Just woundering if anyone has information on Critical Mass San Fran and when it takes place. Alsooooo..... any info on bike messager job possibilities! Alright, feel free to email me. brady.ashley@hotmail.com.

Peace!!

ASHLEY

CA as far as I know takes place downtown. First or last Friday of every month. Not sure beyond that, that kind of stuff just ain't my thing.

Bike messanger stuff? Downtown SF as well. Good luck with it, dangerous job, lots of uber crazy drivers.

Hey Everyone! Just woundering if anyone has information on Critical Mass San Fran and when it takes place.

It takes place on the last Friday of the month. Meeting place is Justin Herman Plaza at Embarcadero and they start around 6pm. Only rode with them once. I'm not sure I agree with the purpose of CM or the disregard of traffic laws BUT it does feel pretty great to take over the streets and to actually feel safe biking through the city.

I did a few CMs about 10 years ago. I can't believe they're still happening! Although there has always been a minority of riders ready and all too eager to stir up trouble, in general, the rides I went on were a lot of fun and friendly.

Only rode with them once. I'm not sure I agree with the purpose of CM or the disregard of traffic laws BUT it does feel pretty great to take over the streets and to actually feel safe biking through the city.

I agree, nice for a one time thing, but there are a lot of people who are trying to get home with kids in the car or at home waiting, or have to be somewhere and it made me feel somewhat like an A**hole.
most people are ok but there are a lot of jerks who give us a bad name.
I was a bike messenger for 6-7 years but it really gets boring, like anything. Riding in the rain sucked. People treat you like your a scum bag. I then moved to a taxi for ten sickening years and was treated like more of a scum bag. Now I manage building and people only treat you like Sh**. Much better! ;)
I like going out and riding by myself or with a nice bunch of Bike Forum people, much more fun.
Pete

Although I've only done it a few times over the years, I like riding in the mass because it's composed of more than all "bicycle people". Now, I really like "bicycle people", I've been one all my life and used to ride with clubs all the time until they started pushing helmet use as a requirement to ride with them. CM offers the group ride experience without (and PLEASE don't take offense) the peer pressure to buy into the "look", ride new equipment or wear a styrofoam hat.

It's unfortunate the mass can't stay together, though, and I think most of the problems are there. As a single mass of bikes, they are one "supervehicle" which justifies it going through intersections until cleared. One mass, one long vehicle. When gaps open up, there's no justification to hold up cross traffic and that's when those drivers get really mad (for good reason).

In SF (or Cali in general) can't cops ticket you for not wearing a helmet while riding? I know people have gotten ticketed for not having the proper lighting on their bikes at night.

And all the bike messengers I see downtown always wear helmets. I believe the companies they work for require them for safety and liability/legal issues.

As for CM, ride safely and be respectful. Then we as cyclists may start to get more respect from cagers. :)

Check out the SF messengers yahoo group.
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/SFmessengers/

and the SF Bicycle Messengers Association
http://www.sfbma.org

Helmets are only legally required for children under (16 I think).

I heard that someone was trying to start an alternative critical mass ride that obeyed traffic laws (no more running red lights, etc.). Anyone know if this ride is still going on?

CM offers the group ride experience without (and PLEASE don't take offense) the peer pressure to buy into the "look", ride new equipment or wear a styrofoam hat.



contemptuous, with a dash of erroneous presumption... after over 6 lifetime concussions and a warning from numerous physicians, I embrace styrofoam, and I like the flashy cloths and carbon fiber, technology is a great hobby.
Oh, OH I see the makings of a flame, so I think I'll step out and go for a ride. I like the BF group cause nobody forces anyone to do anything.
cheers, Pete

:) :) :)

Yes contemptuous, as a result of exclusion. Erroneous presumption? I've also had a few concussions and have been brought back to life both times. One each in a car and on a bike. I think helmets are a great idea, respect the choice of those who wear them, and wish only to have my choice accepted as well as I've certainly experienced by this group.

Perhaps the best thing about CM is its mix of those having bicycling as a hobby with those who just like to ride a bike, whether utilitarian or just to check it out. Despite the groupthink of the mass regarding traffic laws, those newbies and casual riders probably go home better riders and likely fuel the hobby as well. And most will eventually be buying helmets.

It was cool and fun about 10 years ago, but now I hear it's been taken over by trouble makers and political extremists. (the anti-car and anti establishment types) who just want to stop traffic and jam things up...Can anybody verify this?

It was cool and fun about 10 years ago, but now I hear it's been taken over by trouble makers and political extremists. (the anti-car and anti establishment types) who just want to stop traffic and jam things up...Can anybody verify this?

I'm a newbie and casual rider myself and I rode in CM last month (my only time) and from what I saw it was a pretty diverse group of riders. I saw everything from bike jerseys and expensive bikes to old fixies and hipsters to families and tandems. I didn't see too many "trouble-makers" but I guess we were all stirring up some trouble by holding up traffic and I'm sure there were a few. Everyone did get out of the way very quickly when an ambulance had to pass through but bikers do stop in front of cars in the intersection to allow the group to pass.
Overall the experience was liberating but I still felt wrong running reds. But going downhill with a few hundred riders on Lombard Street is something I'll never forget.

I am ambivalent about critical mass. On the one hand, I am sure a lot of motorists get pi$$ed off at all those anarchists running red lights in front of them. Everyday cyclists will have a harder time getting respect from some of those motorists on non-CM days. On the other hand, bicycle activism in SF has created an excellent system of urban bike routes, complete with detailed signs and maps.

I heard that someone was trying to start an alternative critical mass ride that obeyed traffic laws (no more running red lights, etc.). Anyone know if this ride is still going on?

I think we missed it.

From an Oct 9th SF Bike Coalition Email Newsletter:
** Friday, October 12th **

Critical Manners
5:30pm meet, 6:00pm start, northeast corner of Larkin and Grove*

Critical Manners: a revolutionary act of courtesy. Come put the nice back in the bike world with Critical Manners! A helmet-wearing, bell-ringing, blinkie-sportin' good time for you and all your bike friends. Practice synchronized signaling, single file riding, stopping at stop signs and NOT blowing red lights. Critical Manners will brake for pedestrians, trolleys, and even the occasional SUV. If you've ridden in Critical Mass, you know about the "testosterone brigade". Maybe it's time you rode with Critical Manners: We take obedience of the law ridiculously seriously.

I am ambivalent about critical mass. On the one hand, I am sure a lot of motorists get pi$$ed off at all those anarchists running red lights in front of them. Everyday cyclists will have a harder time getting respect from some of those motorists on non-CM days. On the other hand, bicycle activism in SF has created an excellent system of urban bike routes, complete with detailed signs and maps.

+1, it's good and bad, but a sinful pleasure to partake in once in a while (like the October one that is filled with costumed cyclists).

BTW, there's even street signs pointing out "the wiggle" which show how far the urban bike routes and activism have come.

In case anyone is interested. The aforementioned Critical Manners is happening this Friday, Feb 8th.

From the SFBC newsletter:
** Friday, February 8th **

Critical Manners *
5:30pm meet, 6:00pm start, northeast corner of Larkin & Grove

Critical Manners: a revolutionary act of courtesy. Come put the nice back in the bike world with critical manners! A helmet-wearing, bell-ringing, blinkie-sportin' good time for you and all your bike friends. Practice synchronized signaling, stopping at stop signs and NOT blowing red lights. Critical Manners is a great introduction for riders who haven't ridden in an urban setting before as well as experienced riders who enjoy group rides. Helmets and blinkies are mandatory. http://groups.google.com/group/critical-manners-ride-sf