Originally Posted by CommuterRun
CM isn't about cycling advocacy.
Critical Mass IS about cycling advocacy.
Originally Posted by CommuterRun
CM is all about a childish, fleeting, feeling of power.
Perhaps. Perhaps it's a fleeting moment when the all-consuming power of the car is somewhat reduced.
Originally Posted by CommuterRun
It makes the participants feel like a big-shot to know that one day a month they can band together and totally screw-up traffic for all other road users.
It makes the participants feel proud to ride bikes. Not scared to ride, like they are for the rest of the month. It's a feeling of relief to know that the cars CAN see you and HAVE to take notice, not cut you up or run you down like normal.
It galls me to hear 'supposed' cyclists running down CM. Get into the city on your bike, any day of the month. It's no fun. It's bloody frightening in fact. Such intolerance everywhere.
Admittedly, there are a few nutters who break the rules, deliberately piss-off drivers, or block bus lanes. The way to combat these idiots is to join the ride and reprimand them, not get back into your toxic-box-on-wheels and complain without dicrimination about 'frigging stupid cyclists'.
Finally, Grid Lock - not a term I've ever associated solely with cyclists. In fact, it's a term I've NEVER associated with cyclists. I'm pretty sure cars can cause gridlock without our help.