Southeast - Critical Mass ride in Waxhaw NC

Bolt Brothers is organizing a Critical Mass ride on Saturday at 8:30.

Not sure if this link will work directly. Let me know...
http://www.boltbrotherscycles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1041&sid=bea38850be20a7eaf57fcea779b8535b

Not sure how effective this will be. The problem with these types of demonstrations of solidarity is that very few outside of the cycling community know or care what they are about. It does not change anyones minds about cyclists sharing the road with them. In fact, it pisses off the general populace as all they see is a large group of slow riders in their way and slowing them down to their next Latte.

The real goal should be to inform not demonstrate just for the sake of demonstration. Now the other issue is Critical Mass itself as a concept has been transformed over many years. If you are a non-cyclist and someone tells you that there will be a CM ride in Waxhaw, more than likely you will Google it. There you will find that the top entries are about civil disobedience, chaos and disorder. That is certainly not a way to endear the public to a cause.

I would even venture to say that most of the voting constituents within the area that are cyclists are not active in such types of events and if by some stretch of the imagination wildly advertised then attended, many of the participants will be more on the fringe than centerists who vote both with ballots and their wallets.

Otherwise, the general public, and by that I mean those who encounter the actual ride directly, will simply see this as an annoyance, they will not know the agenda the cyclist have, and the whole attempt will only have one result, allowing the cyclist who ride think that they are making a difference.

I do not apologize for my cynicism. I grew up in the 60's and 70's and I understand how effective protesting and acts of civil disobedience can be, I was there and I participated. Its just that it isn't the 60's and 70's anymore.

All this said, I do hope they are successful in reaching their goals, although I am not sure what those are. In no call for action, up to even Will's post has there been any stated agenda or goal, other than to say we are frustrated so let's have a Critical Mass. Talk about the blind leading the blind!

Bolt Brothers is organizing a Critical Mass ride on Saturday at 8:30.

Not sure if this link will work directly. Let me know...
http://www.boltbrotherscycles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1041&sid=bea38850be20a7eaf57fcea779b8535b

If anyone wants to read the link they will need a username and password. According to the thread, they will be doing the same exact ride every Saturday through February.

cycles is the default username and password for the Bolt Brothers forum.

I have mixed feelings about the Critical Mass concept. I'll probably participate and my objective will be to generate publicity to increase public awareness that cyclists are out there and that they have the right to be. I always hug the side of the road when I hear or see a car and have even been known to pull into a driveway if I see that several cars have accumulated behind me. I'd like motorists to become aware that my courtesy is not a legal requirement.

cycles is the default username and password for the Bolt Brothers forum.

I have mixed feelings about the Critical Mass concept. I'll probably participate and my objective will be to generate publicity to increase public awareness that cyclists are out there and that they have the right to be. I always hug the side of the road when I hear or see a car and have even been known to pull into a driveway if I see that several cars have accumulated behind me. I'd like motorists to become aware that my courtesy is not a legal requirement.

COR, you need to do what's right for YOU! I agree that awareness is the answer.

I do many of the same things you mention, just to assure my safety on the road. I also signal cars when I see it is clear for them to pass, usually this results in a wave of thanks as they go by, sometimes in a profane tirade which I usually ignore.

Maybe a good solution is to make the DMV more responsible for educating drivers about that part of the motor vehicle code. Make passing a Walker/Runner/Cyclist part of the driving test! Or make sure that at least one of the random questions on the written test is about passing other vehicles who share the road.

One more thing, I think they are trying to disassociate themselves with the Critical Mass name. I think the ride in Waxhaw is being billed as a Bicycle Safety Awareness ride.

Sorry I can't edit the thread title. The "Critical Mass" came from the first poster on the Bolt Brothers forum, not from Will Bolt. Notice, as well, that the ride is planned for Saturday mornings, the more confrontational approach is to interfere with motorists' workday commute.

My experience with Will Bolt indicates that he is far from immoderate in this area. I happened to be in the shop when the call came in on the two cyclists killed a while back and Will was distraught. He said, "Those are OUR people out there." A week later when I asked if he knew more details he said he didn't want to know, what's the use. When I said I'd like to see the woman charged if she was at fault, Will said, "We've all let our attention wander and made mistakes." I trust him to organize and publicize an educational demonstration. If I'm not satisfied with his publicity efforts, I've had a good publication rate for my letters to the editor in the past.

When Lee Ann Barry and Tom Hoskins was killed I saw the same fervor to get something done. Then, after a short period of time, nothing. I have nothing against Will but it does seem to me that he runs hot and cold. Okay if there is an urgent matter, things get done in a hurry because people like this usually do it themselves. If it takes time they seem to lose interest and then it dies on the vine unless someone else picks up the ball.

I wish him luck on this Safety Awareness ride. I am not sure how a small town like Waxhaw, who already has a love/hate relationship with cyclists in general will allow this to happen without some conditions, especially if it disrupts traffic.