IcySmooth52

I'm going to make an effort of starting an eve Critical Mass ride in Portland, ME. I'm sure it'll take off itself because it's a bike-friendly city, and I have plenty of coffee shops, bike shops, and even clubs/bars that'll post these. I'm just wondering which logo is coolest/nicest?

Chris516

While I am not a proponent or opponent of CM, I think the last one is the best.

gecho

In the spirit of critical mass, make it a really hard to remove sticker and put them on cars (the more expensive looking the better) . Oh, and I forgot ... cop cars!

IcySmooth52

I'm trying really hard to make this as much a social event as a cycle advocacy one because I don't want to be apart of anything looking to start something. Besides, the cops here are actually pro-cycing. It's more for the cycling community, and not a bunch of skin-tight jeans on fixed gears without breaks or clips looking to be rebels.

dahut

There you go!

So lessee - you want to encourage people with nothing productive to do to...

a) hold up traffic and hinder others,
b) ride around in mindless gaggles,
c) generally just make a pointless point?

Ive never participated in one, but the ones Ive seen look like nothing more than a bunch of stoners pissing people off and behaving like spoiled children.
"Look at us; we're not really sure what this is all about, but... well... pay attention to us!"

Someone usually ends up in a fight - or worse.

But hey, if you like it, I love it.

MMACH 5

Then I would recommend you not call it a Critical Mass ride. Call it a "girl-cyclist club ride; guys welcome." You'll have more dudes show up to ride than you can shake a stick at.

CB HI

+1 on NOT calling it critical mass.

TransitGeek

I'm going with number four.

Chris516

Putting it on a police cruiser could be considered 'assault'.

dahut

Can you come up with a purpose besides a "celebration of the bicycle?" That isnt bad, mind you.
But a defined goal seems like a good idea. It might draw something besides the usual rabble that seem to show up to these events.

MilitantPotato

Several cities do a full moon fiasco. It's less about causing traffic issues and more about tearing around town having fun.

I prefer #5 personally.

IcySmooth52

I like that idea. Not about stoners being rebels but riding at night!

dahut

I like riding at night, too.
Im still at a loss, though - just what DOES causing traffic 'issues', riding all over sidewalks and generally mucking up the progress of everyone do?
Is there some sort of sublime enlightenment the rest of the world will somehow magically attain when a CM event is underway?

For example, it isn't too hard to discern the purpose behind a gay pride parade. Love 'em or hate 'em, you pretty much know what they are going on about.
SO how are people supposed to "get the point" behind a CM - - when there doesn't seem to be one?

IcySmooth52

Here's the new lineup. I haven't touched the wording of this yet, but I'll do that once I have a 'logo' selected.

NYgreyrider

I agree with the others that have said you should consider calling it something else. Critical mass has a lot of negative aspects that I don't think you want associated with what seems like a very positive event. If you already live in a bike friendly area there is no need risking taking a step back. I don't know of any CM event that has been looked upon favorably by the non cycling public or universally accepted by the "cycling community."

I like the full moon fiasco with the moon and blue bicycle.

dahut

I like the 5th and 10th, left to right.

CB HI

This one. Just change "take over the streets" to "ride the streets".

dahut

+1 ... and there needs to be a prize giveaway. Always have a prize giveaway!

MilitantPotato

Kids love spoke cards, and beer!

dahut

Well, Id avoid the beer for kids. Seems like a bad idea.

Seattle Forrest

Which one did you decide on?

IcySmooth52

These are the most popular with the locals. I still haven't made a decision yet. Critical Mass is the decided name though.

squirtdad

What it seems your are trying to do is more like Bike party san jose https://www.sjbikeparty.org/ They are not without issues and controversy, but not like CM

Critical mass has a negative rep. I hope that you are not planning on activities like corking, running red lights and that ilk that are associated with CM.

DeadheadSF

Critical Mass is *not* advocacy; it's done more to hurt the reputation (and often more than just reputation) of cyclists than anything. It just breeds anger and hatred from the redneck cagers that "just want to get home" from their cubicle jobs so they can beat their kids or something.

Instead of wasting time with events like this that ultimately end up causing more problems, why not just get out and ride?

Just my $0.02, but something to think about.

dahut

Ive always been a little fuzzy on just what the CM crowd is trying to be advocates of.