Critical Mass Tucson
 

You should all join us 6 pm October 26 at El Presidio Park in front of City Hall.

A cross-posted editorial on the matter: http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/205828

Been bicycling in Tucson for 29+ years and more years in other places before that.
Tucson is a rather bicycle friendly city and would like to keep it that way.
Critical mass rides tend to get motorists ticked off at us, as the cyclists tend to become an unruly mob, claiming 'their right to the road'. Can you keep that critical mass no more than 2 abreast? After dusk will you have proper lights? Will all riders obey traffic laws and use proper hand signals? I bet it won't happen!
If you recall a few years ago, Sheriff Dupnik utilized a helicopter and squad cars to arrest a group of racers that were riding more than 2 abreast and even got one guy for indecent exposure. All at a cost of $40,000 to the taxpayers. Of course it got Dupnik on the front page for arresting these 'lawbreakers'. Co-incidentally he was up for re-election and got lots of publicity at our expense.
We are daily riders and for several weeks after the Dupnik story we got harassed by motorists.
Have you ever been hit by a motor vehicle? I have . . . 3 times. Each time driver was ticketed.
In case you haven't been hit yet, it is not a pleasant experience to get clobbered at 45 mph by a 2-ton pickup truck!
As bicyclists we are entitled to be on the road and we take it.
Share the road . . . don't hog it.
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Been bicycling in Tucson for 29+ years and more years in other places before that.
Tucson is a rather bicycle friendly city and would like to keep it that way.
Critical mass rides tend to get motorists ticked off at us, as the cyclists tend to become an unruly mob, claiming 'their right to the road'. Can you keep that critical mass no more than 2 abreast? After dusk will you have proper lights? Will all riders obey traffic laws and use proper hand signals? I bet it won't happen!
If you recall a few years ago, Sheriff Dupnik utilized a helicopter and squad cars to arrest a group of racers that were riding more than 2 abreast and even got one guy for indecent exposure. All at a cost of $40,000 to the taxpayers. Of course it got Dupnik on the front page for arresting these 'lawbreakers'. Co-incidentally he was up for re-election and got lots of publicity at our expense.
We are daily riders and for several weeks after the Dupnik story we got harassed by motorists.
Have you ever been hit by a motor vehicle? I have . . . 3 times. Each time driver was ticketed.
In case you haven't been hit yet, it is not a pleasant experience to get clobbered at 45 mph by a 2-ton pickup truck!
As bicyclists we are entitled to be on the road and we take it.
Share the road . . . don't hog it.
You want a legal critical mass ride? Do El Tour!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

right on! good luck in el tour..

I'll be there.