[AtTheGates]

One is schedualed here in Columbia, MO for the end of June. I have been engaged in an onging debate about the effectiveness of such events with another cyclist. Personally I think its counter productive, but having not done one I figured other peoples opinions would be interesting.
Link for those who don't know what I'm refering to.
http://www.critical-mass.org/

 

[binary visions]

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[I Are Baboon]

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You didn't pick up on the typo in his URL? You disappoint me, BV.

Edit: If history is any indication, this thread should be interesting.

 

[AtTheGates]

should be good.

 

[N8 v2.0]

Critial mass is a *****

 

[binary visions]

You didn't pick up on the typo in his URL? You disappoint me, BV.

Edit: If history is any indication, this thread should be interesting.

I'm so ashamed :

:nonono:

 

[N8 v2.0]

I'm so ashamed :

:nonono:

you are going to have to disapprove yourself now....

 

[Brian HCM#1]

I think they are wonderful ways of pissing off the public, I say don't do it. I've been caught up in one while trying to drive through San Francisco, and all I wanted to do is kick EVERONES ASS!!!!! It took forever to try to get where I was going.:angry: Most bikers are rude and inconsiderate, therefore I feel it gives the common everyday cyclist a real bad rap.

 

[N8 v2.0]

I think they are wonderful ways of pissing off the public, I say don't do it. I've been caught up in one while trying to drive through San Francisco, and all I wanted to do is kick EVERONES ASS!!!!! It took forever to try to get where I was going.:angry: Most bikers are rude and inconsiderate, therefore I feel it gives the common everyday cyclist a real bad rap.

Critial mass = stinky hippie roadies anyway...

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Critial mass = stinky hippie roadies anyway...

That pretty much sums it up:mumble:

 

[BurlyShirley]

Cricital mass = LAME.

Nothing does a worse job of making the roads a safer place for cyclists. Personally, Id rather have a bunch of apathetic drivers than a bunch of pissed off ones on the road.

 

[OGRipper]

N8, that might be true where you are, but not here in SF.

CM is fun, that's the reason I do it a handful of times every year. It also raises awareness of cyclists rights. For a couple hours once a month, in one part of town at a time, people in cars don't own the road. The most vocal participants don't always represent so well, but the road ragers who try to fight it (instead of just chilling out for 5 minutes or so) are much more ridiculous. CM should be no different than any other traffic jam, but I guess people rage at those too. Most of the time the majority of people in cars are laughing and supporting the ride, even though they are stuck.

 

[BurlyShirley]

CM should be no different than any other traffic jam

But it is. You are creating a jam ON PURPOSE, and ****ing with people's lives to prove a point. It's stupid, nonsense, and a good way to make drivers hate cyclists.

 

[binary visions]

CM should be no different than any other traffic jam

Maybe not, but a traffic jam caused by a bunch of drivers doing 15-20mph doesn't remind me that I don't own the road. It makes me irritated at the people who can't figure out how to drive properly.

Most of the time the majority of people in cars are laughing and supporting the ride, even though they are stuck.

Having never seen one, I can't say for sure, but I'd be absolutely shocked if a majority (>50%) of the drivers are laughing and supporting the ride.

I'm all for sharing the road and for cyclists having fun. But for a group of cyclists to simply take over the road because they can isn't promoting cyclist's rights - it's knowingly and deliberately pissing off a significant group of drivers. Do what you want, of course, but let's call it what it is.

Do you really think a lot of people drive home after being stuck in a traffic jam for a while and think to themselves, "Gee, I really don't own the road. I certainly think that next time I see a cyclist, I will give them more space and be more careful!"

 

[Da Peach]

Sounds counter productive. I'd be pissed sitting in traffic. And I'd remember the who more than I would the why.

Besides, it would be way more comfortable to cause a traffic jam in the comfort of one's air conditioned car. Put a banner on it and presto, message conveyed.

 

[OGRipper]

BV, I guess you would be shocked, because it's true. Most of the people you come across are cool with it. At least in SF.

I'm not a crusader, and like I said the main reason I do the Mass now and then is because it's fun. For a short period of time, once a month, in a small part of the city, bikes rule. The rest of the time it's all about cars, buses, trucks, and all the other vehicles that squeeze us out and otherwise make it dangerous to be on the road. It raises awareness and spurs debate for how things should be most of the time. Nobody is saying we should always be able to clog the streets.

I'm glad I live in a city where civil disobedience and demonstrations like the Mass occur pretty frequently, and people understand diverse opinions and lifestyles, and are more tolerant than they are in other cities. Not to mention internet forums.

Yeesh. Some of you probably rage hard when you get stuck waiting for a parade too.

 

[Wumpus]

The point is to share the road not block it like quite a few bike owners think they have a right to do.

 

[Heidi]

I too think they are counter productive. Why piss people off on purpose? You aren't making them respect cyclists, you are just making them hate them.

 

[SkaredShtles]

<snip> For a short period of time, once a month, in a small part of the city, bikes rule. The rest of the time it's all about cars, buses, trucks, and all the other vehicles that squeeze us out and otherwise make it dangerous to be on the road.

When I was in San Fran it appeared that pedestrians owned the road.

 

[OGRipper]

Listen, I know it's not perfect, and it doesn't make much sense in rural areas, or cities without congestion. But if you drive in a city like SF, you run the risk of getting stuck in a random jam every day, for no reason, and you know it. Still, you make the choice to drive - I do too sometimes. At least with CM you know it's around 6 pm on the last Friday of every month and you can stay away. Or maybe ride your bike, or think of another mode of transportation.

The media attention around here is often supportive, and a lot more people see the media coverage than get stuck. The haters will continue to hate, regardless. Thinking people can take something positive from it.

 

[BurlyShirley]

I'm glad I live in a city where civil disobedience and demonstrations like the Mass occur pretty frequently, and people understand diverse opinions and lifestyles, and are more tolerant than they are in other cities. Not to mention internet forums.

Im glad you live there too

The point isnt anything to do with having the right to civily disobey, its about common sense. If I thought something like that had a chance in hell of being productive, Id be all over it. But the fact is that pissing people off by getting in their way for no reason is NO WAY to promote "sharing the road" its just a stupid idea that somehow caught on. Like smoking.

 

[OGRipper]

Im glad you live there too

The point isnt anything to do with having the right to civily disobey, its about common sense. If I thought something like that had a chance in hell of being productive, Id be all over it. But the fact is that pissing people off by getting in their way for no reason is NO WAY to promote "sharing the road" its just a stupid idea that somehow caught on. Like smoking.

Nice. Whatever. I don't agree there is no reason, and this kind of debate is good and part of the point. But like I've said I do it because it's fun, not because I'm a crusader.

I have to say though, I'm surprised you can be so sure of yourself despite apparently having zero experience participating in the event or seeing the public reaction.

 

[DaveW]

Critical Mass down here in Wellington (a generally very procycling city) are quite possibly the most counter productive load of crap possible.
And I would classify them as increasing the risk to cyclists around the town thru causing deliberately inconsiderate driving as a sort of "Fvck you too matey" reaction from pissed off drivers.

 

[sanjuro]

I think the key for me riding in Critical Mass is not trying to justify it in anyway, particularily the one in San Francisco.

Hundreds of cyclists hit the streets, causing havoc in traffic for about 10 minutes per intersection.

Is it legal? No, but the police escort us without any arrests. Is is annoying to drivers? Certainly, but I get annoyed at drivers too.

Do I think I am promoting cycling? No, I just ride for fun.

 

[Skookum]

its just a stupid idea that somehow caught on. Like smoking.

Well said...

 

[jdcamb]

Yepper...

 

[sanjuro]

Im glad you live there too

The point isnt anything to do with having the right to civily disobey, its about common sense. If I thought something like that had a chance in hell of being productive, Id be all over it. But the fact is that pissing people off by getting in their way for no reason is NO WAY to promote "sharing the road" its just a stupid idea that somehow caught on. Like smoking.

What the hell, I will take the bait.

The first Critical Mass I attended was for Halloween in New Haven, Ct. I didn't know anyone but it was fun for me to ride with a bunch of other cyclists who were of the same mindset as me.

There was only about 40 of us, almost all in costume, and later I started riding with them, mountain and road. And I still keep in touch with most of them.

40 is different than 1500. We didn't block traffic like the one in San Francisco does, and the reaction of drivers was extremely positive. There weren't the same kind of troublemakers and radicals I see in the SF CM, and New Haven is a much smaller city.

I still attend the SF CM. It is a much different vibe, and I don't ride with the people I meet there. I think it is too large for its own good, but I still like riding in it.