Bike Forums - View Single Post - nyc critical mass tonight?

05-02-05 | 03:00 PM

#36

peripatetic

Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 2,124

Likes: 2

From: NYC

Bikes: All 70s and 80s, only steel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehugoball

"I'm not blaming or pointing fingers but riding a bike has or never will have anything to do with politics."

You are sorely mistaken about Critical Mass not ever having been political before the RNC. For one, every CM rider defines the meaning of the event individually.

I think you're missing a little bit of the point. Even if we agree that, as you say, everything one does is a 'political' decision (NOT all people will agree with that), I think many people who support the idea of promoting visibility and popularity of non-motorized transportation DON'T necessarily participate in CM in order to get into direct/aggressive/violent conflict with any authorities. Witness the previous posters who decided to sit this last one out. I personally have never gone, because the friends I have in SF who participate, deliberately go to practice 'revolution.' Most people I've met who participate in the events on a normal basis would be self-described 'revolutionaries,' as opposed to 'liberals.' The difference is that the former category is ideally looking to piss off and/or disrupt the status quo of civil society. I believe these people have their place, but I have always thought it was disingenuous to say that you're only 'abiding by the law,' and at the same time approaching the event with the implicit intent of disrupting the normal rhythms of urban society. And PS, we can't ignore the fact that the event also has a certain gravity for general mischief-making delinquents: I was outside of a bike shop on 14th st. on Friday, and a bunch of BMX twits rode by on the sidewalk, among all of the pedestrian traffic. I shouted at them to get off the sidewalk and one turned around and flipped me off. They were headed for Union Square. As a cyclist, those kinds of people infuriate and frustrate me, and I definitely do NOT share any 'political' attitudes with them.

I know that the police tactics have been unjust and unfair, but it's not like Bloomberg hates cyclists: he's been promoting and improving cycling in the city since he got into office. He's simply responding to the issue in the same, businessman's way that he responds to ALL problems: maintain order via the most efficient way possible. In this case, stifle the upstarts and deal with the legal consequences later. And by the way, as far as a political issue goes, I think that this is a tiny flea for him. Most people, other than the CM'ers, just don't care what Bloomberg does about it, as long as he keeps order in the city.

Cost-benefit analysis from my POV: CM is hurting the image of cyclists in the city about as much as delivery guys. And if you want sympathy from the general public, and to encourage a broader participation, you'll be sure to make it clear that you're a movement of fellow citizens, and act as if you are (both before AND after events), not a horde led by 'revolutionaries.'

The catch is, people I know who are 'revolutionaries,' ultimately just don't give a rat's-a$$ about anybody who doesn't align with their politics. So in essence, they're not really trying all that hard to persuade anyone out there. They don't think that they have their place, they think everyone else has no place. Kind of reminds me of some people way back called themselves 'Bolsheviks.'

iViva la Revolución! iViva Ché!

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