Texas - "Critical Mass" ride?

I just got an article in my email about this "Critical Mass" ride that takes place in cities all over the world on the same day/time. I think I get to call myself a NOOB for another month, but I had never heard of it. It seems like I would have heard of it even as a motorist.

Here's the link to the article: http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/Is_Critical_Mass_Good_for_Cycling_.htm?act=EMC-Active&Vehicle=Cycling&Date=01_14_09&Edition=1&Sections=Articles&Creative=Is_Critical_Mass_Good_for_Cycling_&TextName=More&ArtText=Txt&Placement=6&Dy=Thu

Has anyone heard of this? Do we do this in TX?

CM's hapen all over the place. The effort to coordinate them on a large scale never seems to work out.

I'm not a fan.

Evidently, there's not one in Dallas, due to lack of interest. There may be one in Denton.

The idea is fine, but the execution seems to be lacking. I think they get the wrong people involved in it- exactly the people that should stay home and watch TV, don't, and vice versa. There's been a lot of posts on it, especially in the A&S forum.

i know they do it in austin and houston...like posted above, its the wrong people...most of the time they just ride around and cause trouble

I do it in Houston, and we are not trouble makers, these are motorist lies meant to subdue the cycling masses.

Denton used to have one, but doesn't anymore. We do have the Tuesday Night Ride though. Which, in the warmer months, had been getting upwards of a hundred kids on fixed/ss, 10speeds, mtbs, cruisers, bmx, and tall bikes. It's not a CM ride, but we jam up traffic and, to me, it has similar goal (meet up and ride).

There IS a CM in Fort Worth though. I know a lot of the people involved in it, but I'm not sure when it is. I haven't ever had the chance to do it. I can find out easily, and when I do I'll post back here.

Another Houston CM'er when I can get away from work. Loads of fun a party and political statement all rolled in to one ride. Though watch out I see more spills on this ride than anywhere else, helmet for sure.

I forgot about the Ft Worth Critical Mass. Doing some looking, I find:
"According to the flyers dropped of @ the shop Tuesday, it's the first Monday of each month, meeting @ the ITC 6:30 p.m."
(from this site: http://fixedfortworth.freeforums.org/ )

"the First Monday of each month it is.... Nov 3 @ ITC on Jones St Downtown Fort Worth."
(From this site: http://groups.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=groups.groupProfile&groupID=102977896&MyToken=d9cc2770-ebe8-49b0-9d08-afc0c4774391 )

Another Houston CM'er when I can get away from work. Loads of fun a party and political statement all rolled in to one ride. Though watch out I see more spills on this ride than anywhere else, helmet for sure.

What is the political statement being made at events like this and how exactly is that statement made?

Chris

What is the political statement being made at events like this and how exactly is that statement made?

Chris

Kylejack posted this in a previous thread and it explained a lot to me
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=189314458200750949

This website used to list all the CM rides: http://critical-mass.info/
Go to it, see the square partway down that says "Critical-Mass.info is closed".
Read that, and the email quoted there, and you can gain some insight into CM.

I think CM does cyclists in general a huge disservice. It is an excuse for hoolaginism and is not conducive to fostering good community relations between our community and the local population.

I think CM does cyclists in general a huge disservice. It is an excuse for hoolaginism and is not conducive to fostering good community relations between our community and the local population.
Hm, no, I don't think so. Hooligans are not present in the Houston group, and the farthest it goes is a little light corking.

This website used to list all the CM rides: http://critical-mass.info/
Go to it, see the square partway down that says "Critical-Mass.info is closed".
Read that, and the email quoted there, and you can gain some insight into CM.

Crazy. Maybe it's because I'm an old fuddy duddy but I'd prefer to stay as far away from these CM rides as possible.

Chris

I have been cycling on the roads of Texas since the early 80's. Never, not once, have I felt motorists subdueing me with lies.

I have been cycling on the roads of Texas since the early 80's. Never, not once, have I felt motorists subdueing me with lies.
Stealth cager.

Where did all the love go?

Critical Mass is a fun gathering of cyclists riding their bikes, you should all try it some time. =D

Where did all the love go?

Austin has a pretty good CM turnout -- up to around 400 or so. And really, it's pretty tame. We ride around and don't really cause much trouble. They do a few things I don't really approve of, like do several loops around this one runabout, or going through the Whole Foods parking garage, but in general they don't really cause any problems larger (or even remotely close to) than a similar number of cars would cause.

(And really, if they do something you don't approve of, it's pretty easy to just not do it yourself.)

The only traffic laws broken are that some red lights are run, `no more than two abreast' is seriously flaunted, and some riders do cork. Most riders don't go out of their way to cause problems, and when the minority does, the rest usually gets on their case pretty quickly. And for the most part, the police leave us alone. In the last seven months, I'm aware of maybe three cases where somebody got ticketed -- though in one of those cases, a 16 year old kid was arrested for running a red light. Not sure why ...

Back in June, the police followed us with their helicopter. Not sure why -- they never did anything more than that.

And if you're not into the CM rides, the `Full Moon Cruises' have most of the good aspects of them without the car traffic.

I've taken a bunch of pictures at the local rides for the last few months, and they're available here (http://cycing.frenzied.us/).

I may just run over to the Fort Worth ride and see what it's like. One of those sites there, somebody had been and didn't seem impressed, but I'm not sure what his point was.

Hm, no, I don't think so. Hooligans are not present in the Houston group, and the farthest it goes is a little light corking.

lol, man you must be riding way up in the front....

i'm a houston cyclist and driver...never been to a CM, but have witnessed them from my car....idiots take up all 3 lanes, run red lights, and just cause general chaos...i almost hit a couple last time (their fault)

lol, man you must be riding way up in the front....

i'm a houston cyclist and driver...never been to a CM, but have witnessed them from my car....idiots take up all 3 lanes, run red lights, and just cause general chaos...i almost hit a couple last time (their fault)
Do not consider that hooliganism if done responsibly. Rolling lights is a time-honored cyclist tradition, and cars take up all lanes all the time, so the city can afford cyclists taking up 3 lanes for a few hours once a month. The Houston group does a pretty good job of traveling as a mass, so if you almost hit a couple you almost hit many.

We're not blocking traffic. We are traffic.

We're not blocking traffic. We are traffic.

this.

might get that made into a sticker.

[ Re: We aren't blocking traffic. We are traffic ]

might get that made into a sticker.It's pretty much a CM mantra ...

Hell, it's already a movie ... http://www.tedwhitegreenlight.com/cm.htm

(Though I think it's the same one as mentioned earlier in the thread.)

... though to be fair, just because you are traffic, that doesn't mean you can't block traffic. But ultimately, some drivers just like to complain about 200 bikes that intrude upon `their' roads -- but think how much worse it would be if 200 more cars intruded into `their' roads.

excellent

Do not consider that hooliganism if done responsibly.

true but how often is it done responsible


Rolling lights is a time-honored cyclist tradition.

its also illegal and dangerous


and cars take up all lanes all the time, so the city can afford cyclists taking up 3 lanes for a few hours once a month

when its a 3 lane road, they can contain themselves to one lane...two at max...no need to slow traffic
and yes, there is a law in tx that says if you can not keep within 10 miles of the speed limit, you are impeding traffic (that includes bikes)




We're not blocking traffic. We are traffic.

If that is so, the laws apply to you as well... you shouldn't break the law by "rolling" through stoplights

its also illegal and dangerous
It is not dangerous to roll a red when there's no oncoming cross-traffic. When there is, we wait.


when its a 3 lane road, they can contain themselves to one lane...two at max...no need to slow traffic
and yes, there is a law in tx that says if you can not keep within 10 miles of the speed limit, you are impeding traffic (that includes bikes)That's a very automobile-centric view of things. Are you sure you're a cyclist? You must be a very fast one if you never impede traffic using your narrow definition. Again, cars rule all roads all day every day. They can afford to give the cyclists certain roads for brief periods of time on one night a month. Traffic is light Friday at 7 PM in the downtown district and the neighboring districts the Critical Mass ride rolls through.

Look, Critical Mass participants could get a little more organized and shut down some streets for 3 hours with a permit (as various marathons, walk-for-the-Cures and parades do on Allen Parkway every other weekend or so), but they don't. You're sitting at a light watching some bicycles pass, and 3 minutes later its over, they're out of your hair, and you're on your way. When you think about it, its a very soft-handed approach with very little interference, comparatively speaking. What organized bike ride or fun-run that uses the streets has a smaller footprint? None, because the others shut the streets down completely for hours. My mother lives at Sabine Street Lofts and can attest to it personally.



If that is so, the laws apply to you as well... you shouldn't break the law by "rolling" through stoplightsWhat do you average crossing town on your bicycle, like 4 MPH or so?

I don't want to seem rude but it is the adolescent, demanding, "me first" tone of the CM events (at least the ones I have read about and/or seen online) that have lead me to conclude these aren't for me. The "cars must obey the laws but we don't have to because we're special" makes me chuckle. I picture of a bunch of trust fund kids who need to validate their existence by pretending they're making a difference by protesting the fact that they are not treated special.

Making people despise cyclists is not the "difference" most cyclists are looking for.

And calling those who do not agree with them "cagers" is just precious. But the whole "look at me I can "roll" red lights because I'm special" has a very short shelf life.

Anyhow, I need to get out of this thread because I have absolutely nothing positive to contribute to it. Maybe my age has something to do with it. You see in my day I've seen real protests for real causes. I have seen real injustice, more than a few cyclists with hurt feelings who need to feel validated by being a part of a law breaking mob. So this high school "I'm special and YOU'RE a cager" just doesn't resonate with me. In fact I find it profoundly childish. And to suggest this constitutes a "political statement" is absurd and laughable to anyone who's participated in the political process (by ballot or protest). I just don't see a Rosa Parks taking up the cyclist "cause". Then again Rosa Parks is a cager because she took the bus. She had a very "automobile-centric view of things" which is of course bad.

The slogan "we're not blocking traffic we are traffic" makes sense, unless of course you are in fact blocking traffic and being a jerk. Then you become just another ass hole on the road who shouldn't be there. But having a public temper tantrum, breaking laws you think you're too special to obey while calling it a CM is not a political statement. It's called acting like a cry baby.

Chris

I just got an article in my email about this "Critical Mass" ride that takes place in cities all over the world on the same day/time. I think I get to call myself a NOOB for another month, but I had never heard of it. It seems like I would have heard of it even as a motorist.

Here's the link to the article: http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/Is_Critical_Mass_Good_for_Cycling_.htm?act=EMC-Active&Vehicle=Cycling&Date=01_14_09&Edition=1&Sections=Articles&Creative=Is_Critical_Mass_Good_for_Cycling_&TextName=More&ArtText=Txt&Placement=6&Dy=Thu

Has anyone heard of this? Do we do this in TX?

Critical Mass rides are held on the Last Friday of each month, usually at 19:00 hours (7:00 PM), in the downtown region of every major city.

Yes, it would be good if more motorists knew about it. It would be a good idea to stay home and not drive downtown on the last Friday of each month

I don't want to seem rude but it is the adolescent, demanding, "me first" tone of the CM events (at least the ones I have read about and/or seen online) that have lead me to conclude these aren't for me. The "cars must obey the laws but we don't have to because we're special" makes me chuckle. I picture of a bunch of trust fund kids who need to validate their existence by pretending they're making a difference by protesting the fact that they are not treated special.

Making people despise cyclists is not the "difference" most cyclists are looking for.

And calling those who do not agree with them "cagers" is just precious. But the whole "look at me I can "roll" red lights because I'm special" has a very short shelf life.

Anyhow, I need to get out of this thread because I have absolutely nothing positive to contribute to it. Maybe my age has something to do with it. You see in my day I've seen real protests for real causes. I have seen real injustice, more than a few cyclists with hurt feelings who need to feel validated by being a part of a law breaking mob. So this high school "I'm special and YOU'RE a cager" just doesn't resonate with me. In fact I find it profoundly childish. And to suggest this constitutes a "political statement" is absurd and laughable to anyone who's participated in the political process (by ballot or protest). I just don't see a Rosa Parks taking up the cyclist "cause". Then again Rosa Parks is a cager because she took the bus. She had a very "automobile-centric view of things" which is of course bad.

The slogan "we're not blocking traffic we are traffic" makes sense, unless of course you are in fact blocking traffic and being a jerk. Then you become just another ass hole on the road who shouldn't be there. But having a public temper tantrum, breaking laws you think you're too special to obey while calling it a CM is not a political statement. It's called acting like a cry baby.

Chris
The stealth cager comment was tongue-in-cheek, but I have to agree with you that you should get out of this thread.

Abondon this cry baby thread? Are you kidding me. I'm making a political statement here! ;-)

Ass holes on bikes should sell their bikes and stay home is my motto!

You've never been on a Critical Mass ride and don't really know what you're talking about. You should come some time and see the police officers wave a friendly hello!

Edit: Anyway, love to stay and chat, but I'm going to go do about 60 miles on my bicycle today.

Dude, spare me. Whiny, demanding, cry baby mobs are nothing new. And Abbie Hoffman they aint.

Enjoy your ride!

Wow.... reading all this I was afraid we were getting to the level of the VC forum. :eek:

I had thought I would like to go, but Monday nights are impossible. I am not even home from work by 7! :notamused:

Dude, spare me. Whiny, demanding, cry baby mobs are nothing new.
Hm, not really sure what you're describing here, because we just get together to ride our bicycles on the last Friday of every month. Its really a lot more casual than what you're envisioning. I don't consider myself an activist.

and yes, there is a law in tx that says if you can not keep within 10 miles of the speed limit, you are impeding traffic (that includes bikes)Um, no, there is no such law that says that, not in the Texas laws.

But if you want to convince us that you're right, cite the law. Here (http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm) is a good place to start looking in your quest. There is `545.363. MINIMUM SPEED REGULATIONS', but it doesn't say anything like what you've claimed, and even if it did, the `except when reduced speed is necessary for
safe operation or in compliance with law' clause would pretty much keep it from being applied to bikes.

In the future, please refrain from attempting to make up new laws or modify existing ones. We've got enough already, and they're messed up enough already. ktnx!

^^^^

Um, no, there is no such law that says that, not in the Texas laws.

But if you want to convince us that you're right, cite the law. Here (http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm) is a good place to start looking in your quest. There is `545.363. MINIMUM SPEED REGULATIONS', but it doesn't say anything like what you've claimed, and even if it did, the `except when reduced speed is necessary for
safe operation or in compliance with law' clause would pretty much keep it from being applied to bikes.

In the future, please refrain from attempting to make up new laws or modify existing ones. We've got enough already, and they're messed up enough already. ktnx!

thanks for the link, very insightful, i must have been mistaken on the 10mph less "law"


however, here are a couple laws that cyclists involved in CM break (that i mentioned in my earlier post):



Sec. 551.103. OPERATION ON ROADWAY. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway

Persons operating bicycles on a roadway may ride two abreast. Persons riding two abreast on a laned roadway shall ride in a single lane. Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway. Persons may not ride more than two abreast unless they are riding on a part of a roadway set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles.

America Bikes: favors separate facilities & trail networks
Bikes Belong: 17 of 21 grants in 2006 for paths & trails
Complete Streets: promotes separated bike lanes
League of American Bicyclists: bike friendly community recognition program based on paths, lanes & separate facilities
Rails to Trails: supports trail construction


Critical Mass: supports bicyclists use of and right to streets


tcs

however, here are a couple laws that cyclists involved in

every charity ride in the state


break (that i mentioned in my earlier post):

tcs

thanks for the link, very insightful, i must have been mistaken on the 10mph less "law"

however, here are a couple laws that cyclists involved in CM break (that i mentioned in my earlier post):Yes, there are some laws that tend to be broken by CM rides -- red lights/stop signs may be run, `two abreast' is flaunted, and corking is certainly illegal. But `must right as far right as is practiable' is debatable -- it's generally up to the cyclist what's practiable.

In any event, CM participants (and cyclists in general, and motorists in general as well) who get caught doing these things by police tend to get tickets. And these things aren't a fundamental part of what CM is anyways. (And really, the `no more than two abreast' law (and to a lesser degree the `as far to the right as is practiable' law) is a prime example of how cylists are treated as being inferior to other road users.)

But ultimately, my point was that there is no `minimum speed = speed limit - 10 mph' law. Good for you to acknowledge that -- many people just start going `lalalalalalala!' at the top of their lungs when confronted with documentation that shows what they `knew' was wrong.

Oh, and it was stated that charity rides tend to break these laws? Well, they do, but they generally have a permit that allows them to do that. They also often have roads closed and police escorts. In general, CM rides categorically do not want any sort of permits -- you shouldn't need a permit to ride your bike, why would you need one to ride with lots of your friends?

In general, you'll find many of these laws broken in any group ride. Sure, the local riding club says they follow all the laws, but in practice, they'll roll through stop signs and will ride 3 or 4 abreast (if they're big enough) just like a CM ride. (Never seen any corking in any of these rides, however :) They also tend to avoid the heavy traffic areas, so it's less noticeable.

In general, you'll find many of these laws broken in any group ride. Sure, the local riding club says they follow all the laws, but in practice, they'll roll through stop signs and will ride 3 or 4 abreast (if they're big enough) just like a CM ride. (Never seen any corking in any of these rides, however :) They also tend to avoid the heavy traffic areas, so it's less noticeable.
Minimal corking in the Houston ride, but the route selected is pretty low-traffic, especially at 7 PM on a Friday. Very few people inconvenienced. Certainly far far fewer than all the people who were blocked off half a day by the Houston Marathon last weekend.

I'll probably regret stepping into this thread, but...


League of American Bicyclists: bike friendly community recognition program based on paths, lanes & separate facilities

LAB offers several bicycle education courses, including programs on riding safely and confidently on roadways.

Consider commuting daily to be true bicycle activism. Join and volunteer a bicycle advocacy group. Become involved in politics. Have fun riding.

Re-consider annoying others with no clear message.

I'll probably regret stepping into this thread, but...



LAB offers several bicycle education courses, including programs on riding safely and confidently on roadways.

Consider commuting daily to be true bicycle activism. Join and volunteer a bicycle advocacy group. Become involved in politics. Have fun riding.

Re-consider annoying others with no clear message.
Critical Mass rides are mentioned favorably in LAB's bike-friendliness ratings of various cities. For example: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/communities/bfc_chicago.php

LAB was also a notable presence capitalizing on the Critical Mass crackdown in San Francisco, saying that while the unrest was unfortunate, this was an opportunity to make safer conditions for cyclists and motorists. LAB does not oppose Critical Mass rides.

The stupid in this thread burns! IT BURNS!

Ft. Worth Crit Mass has been dying down since the first time i rode it probably eight months ago. I think it maxed out with 20 people. The objective of a critical mass is difficult to achieve with that small of a group and riding at such a time - 630 on a monday there usually isnt a crazy amount of traffic and often enough the ride just goes around with no real destination or area restriction and spreads out and becomes less critical and less massive every time... I think if people really wanted to make an impression the ride should be more like 5 o clock and in downtown and high traffic areas specifically, but with this desire the risk of the ride is increased and with the amount of people Ive seen around here not obeying traffic laws I do not think it will be effective. Texas has a long way to go.

Also, Critical Manners rides have become popular in cities where the Mass is a little to chaotic and criminal.

yea houston's has a decent turnout. we're not ballsy enough to pull it off at 5pm though, usually starts at 7-8.

i dont do it for the "protest". i just do it because it's a fun ride to do with my friends. i'm not fortunate enough to live 3 minutes away from my school, job, and friends so most of my time commuting is spent in a mini truck.

I've yet to make it to the Austin CM but plan on going this Friday. (In Austin, they're 5 PM on the last Friday of the month leaving from the west mall on the UT campus.)

There were some bad incidents between cyclists and motorists a few years ago, but now they are pretty peaceful. I'm just bummed I missed the September ride which made its way onto the upper deck of I-35 (http://www.atxbs.com/?q=node/450).

what is corking?

Chad