What I want to know is why do some people disagree with Critical Mass, which I guess also means I don't fully understand what it is...
When I first heard of CM, I thought it sounded great, especially after experiencing a ride that went past my apartment on a very busy street. The rumble of traffic ceased (people always thought I was talking to them from the corner payphone, it was that loud inside my apartment), and a large group of people on bicycles rode past (just a swooshing sound, very tranquil). I haven't participated in a ride, though I am interested in doing so...(I always forget, until I see bicycles headed downtown en masse). After witnessing a few rides, I wonder what the opposition is to this...other than being a driver of a car, and being temporarily delayed (but, that is routine in traffic). I think if anyone could stand inside my old apartment and experience the absence of car engines, horns, etc. and finally experience the peace of quiet movement, they may see it in a different way. I am curious, though, what the reasons people have for participating, or for not participating?
I'd recommend that you do a search on CM, you'll find a number of opinions on it, ranging from 'it's a stupid activity that simply alienates the vast majority of the population against cyclists' to 'it's a valid activity to bring our needs to the forefront'.
My own opinion, by blocking traffic, disrupting people and flaunting the traffic laws doesn't doesn't make make it a positive overall.
Just my opinion, and yes, I have done a CM ride before.....
Steve W
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In San Francisco, the effect of critical mass is that it totally screws up commute traffic on the last Friday of the month. The participating cyclists, as far as I can tell, are anarchist hoodlums who relish in raising hell, disobeying traffic laws, and disrupting motor vehicle traffic. They make me ashamed to be a bicyclist. I wish the cops would round them all up, put 'em in jail, and throw the keys away.
In San Francisco, the effect of critical mass is that it totally screws up commute traffic on the last Friday of the month. The participating cyclists, as far as I can tell, are anarchist hoodlums who relish in raising hell, disobeying traffic laws, and disrupting motor vehicle traffic. They make me ashamed to be a bicyclist. I wish the cops would round them all up, put 'em in jail, and throw the keys away.
~Serenading with sensous soliloquies whilst singing supple sentences that are simultaneously suppling my sonnets with serenity serendipitously.~ -Serendipper
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No, problem, Scooper & michaelnell! Just post your adressess and the time you'll be at home, and the Federal Authorities will be on their way!
Oh, you wanted a selective roundup?
Well where do we start? As far as you can tell...?
"When you assume and you make an ass of U and Me..."
In San Francisco, the effect of critical mass is that it totally screws up commute traffic on the last Friday of the month. The participating cyclists, as far as I can tell, are anarchist hoodlums who relish in raising hell, disobeying traffic laws, and disrupting motor vehicle traffic. They make me ashamed to be a bicyclist. I wish the cops would round them all up, put 'em in jail, and throw the keys away.
Wow and I though San Fran. was a tolerant city. Good for the rest of us that Stan's not in charge of our civil liberties. As long as you're locking up those anarchist hoodlums, might as well lock up the long haired pinko commies too. Then it will be a utopia of cranky old white guys.
As long as you're locking up those anarchist hoodlums, might as well lock up the long haired pinko commies too. Then it will be a utopia of cranky old white guys.
I'm with TreeSpeed, 100%.
Well, at least the part I quoted.
Old age and treachery beats youth and skill every time.
~Serenading with sensous soliloquies whilst singing supple sentences that are simultaneously suppling my sonnets with serenity serendipitously.~ -Serendipper
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How is it causing more problems? CM happens during rush hour in major metropolises and give the right of way to emergency vehicles.
There should be a better way to make a statement like their's. Causing more problems isn't usually a good way to solve one.
I agree.
San Francisco is a tolerant city and is one of the most bicycle friendly cities in North America. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has been successful in working with city government to create bike lanes on most of the city's thoroughfares and more are being created all the time. My own politics are progressive and civil libertarian, but the havoc created by critical mass does nothing but alienate most of the population.
Bicyclists are obligated to obey the traffic laws like everyone else, but the critical mass participants seem to feel that because of their numbers, they are somehow exempt from the obligation to obey the law, and the result is motor vehicle gridlock and a lot of pissed off commuters.
Gridlock at rush hour. The critical mass cyclists STOP in the middle of busy intersections for several light changes, riding around in circles and raising hell like they're all on drugs (which wouldn't surprise me).
Because those rides block traffic, they steal income from people who need to drive for a living. My ex used to be a courier, and when they had CMs in the city where we lived, we lost most of a day's pay out of the deal ... and with no recourse! Those cyclists weren't about to drop by with a cheque to make up for what they had stolen from us.
Not only that but when the cyclists start damaging property and vehicles, someone has to clean it up or pay for the damages. And if the police have to step in to stop them/arrest them/jail them, who do you think pays for that? You do ... because you're a tax payer. So those cyclists are costing YOU more money too.
Because of things like that CM's purpose backfires. Instead of being pro-cycling, more and more people become anti-cycling. Many of the people in that city where this was going on would have happily run over most of the cyclists they encountered on a daily basis, and I know that part of their antagonism toward cyclists was because of the CMs (they told me). In fact, after being robbed of a few days income, if I weren't a cyclist, I would have been tempted to run over a few cyclists myself!!
I think there are much better, less offensive and distructive, ways to promote cycling. After all, don't we want to make cycling seem like a pleasant, good thing to do, not a terrible and harmful thing? Don't we want to make cyclists seem like nice people, not thieves and vandals?
I think those who plan these CMs would do well to direct their planning to more constructive things.
Yes, my heart goes out to those poor people caught in traffic during "rush hour".
Whoever causes someone else to sit in their car for an extra 5 or 10 minutes should be thrown in jail for the rest of their life!
I fully support the critical mass idea of being a large group on a peaceful ride, but I do agree that there are always a few bad apples in the CM rides that give the rest a bad name. Those who flagarantly break the law during the rides should be cited, or even arrested if they are vandalizing or destroying property, but maybe a life sentence is juuuuust a bit harsh.
A very simple way for most people to avoid critical mass is to not drive downtown between 6 PM and 8PM on the last Friday of the month. Too bad they don't have commuter trains that run underground and ferries that go across the bay so people wouldn't have to drive their cars into downtown San Francisco. Oh, wait they do, problem solved.
Yes, I know that not everyone can take public transit or ride a bike to work, but about 95% of those who drive in downtown SF could get there by some means other than driving.
I think the claims that some people lose a whole days pay is a bit exaggerated. Are there critical mass rides in other cities that lock cars in place for 6-8 hours straight?
A very simple way for most people to avoid critical mass is to not drive downtown between 6 PM and 8PM on the last Friday of the month. Too bad they don't have commuter trains that run underground and ferries that go across the bay so people wouldn't have to drive their cars into downtown San Francisco. Oh, wait they do, problem solved.
Yes, I know that not everyone can take public transit or ride a bike to work, but about 95% of those who drive in downtown SF could get there by some means other than driving.
I think the claims that some people lose a whole days pay is a bit exaggerated. Are there critical mass rides in other cities that lock cars in place for 6-8 hours straight?
The CMs where I lived started sometime shortly after noon and went to about 6 pm ... that's the busiest part of the day. And it is pretty hard for those who drive for a living to avoid the downtown area when that's where they NEED TO GO.
The CMs where I lived started sometime shortly after noon and went to about 6 pm ... that's the busiest part of the day. And it is pretty hard for those who drive for a living to avoid the downtown area when that's where they NEED TO GO.
I'd like to know where this is, exactly, as I've never, ever heard of a six-hour cm starting at noon.
critical mass rides can be very positive bike advocacy events.
but only when the riders show the same respect for the road and its occupants
that people should expect from all vehicles on the road.
to me, the idea of critical mass is to reinforce that cyclists need a spot on the road as well.
we take up only as much room as we need, and follow the traffic laws like everyone else.
the ride is to support our presence so on the road we get the respect we deserve.
but you only get respect by showing respect.
in a recent critical mass i participated in one rider decided to ride slowly in front of a bus,
while there were two lanes and the riders only needed one.
there were no other motor vehicles on this particular road at this time.
the rider acted as if that was what we're supposed to do.
in my opinion this is very reckless, selfish, and counterproductive.
I fully support the critical mass idea of being a large group on a peaceful ride, but I do agree that there are always a few bad apples in the CM rides that give the rest a bad name. Those who flagarantly break the law during the rides should be cited, or even arrested if they are vandalizing or destroying property, but maybe a life sentence is juuuuust a bit harsh.
OK. I admit to a bit of hyperbole when I said we should lock 'em all up and throw away the key. I don't have a problem with large group rides, but I have a big problem when substantial numbers of the participants intentionally violate the law and block motor vehicle traffic operating within the law. It's not just "a few bad apples", either.
Originally Posted by Pizza Man
A very simple way for most people to avoid critical mass is to not drive downtown between 6 PM and 8PM on the last Friday of the month. Too bad they don't have commuter trains that run underground and ferries that go across the bay so people wouldn't have to drive their cars into downtown San Francisco. Oh, wait they do, problem solved.
This is nonsense. Law-abiding motorists have the same right to use the roadway as bicyclists and shouldn't have to put up with being inconvenienced by bikers who don't observe traffic lights. Whether or not there are alternative ways to commute is completely irrelevant.
Originally Posted by Pizza Man
Yes, I know that not everyone can take public transit or ride a bike to work, but about 95% of those who drive in downtown SF could get there by some means other than driving.
So?
Originally Posted by Pizza Man
I think the claims that some people lose a whole days pay is a bit exaggerated. Are there critical mass rides in other cities that lock cars in place for 6-8 hours straight?
It makes no difference whether the claims are exaggerated or not, the fact is that the motorists are operating their vehicles legally and are being delayed and inconvenienced by bicyclists who aren't. It's not that complicated.
critical mass rides can be very positive bike advocacy events.
but only when the riders show the same respect for the road and its occupants
that people should expect from all vehicles on the road.
to me, the idea of critical mass is to reinforce that cyclists need a spot on the road as well.
we take up only as much room as we need, and follow the traffic laws like everyone else.
the ride is to support our presence so on the road we get the respect we deserve.
but you only get respect by showing respect.
in a recent critical mass i participated in one rider decided to ride slowly in front of a bus,
while there were two lanes and the riders only needed one.
there were no other motor vehicles on this particular road at this time.
the rider acted as if that was what we're supposed to do.
in my opinion this is very reckless, selfish, and counterproductive.
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Originally Posted by Scooper
