More Critical Mass Backlash

[max_powers]

Sunny 'Bike Friendly' Long Beach California
this article/comments speaks for itself:

http://www.lbpost.com/news/sander/11052

 

[fatandfast]

thinks for the video. I liked in the article how critical mass was 3 things..maybe more..the name of an organization,when a bunch of chunky racers get together(like in the video) and a thing that is hard for the police to handle. I don't think lots of the men and women in the video are card carrying members of
Critical Mass http://www.cicle.org

 

[DirtyWorks]

Huh.

I think most of those jokers need a moving violation or two. But, law enforcement has bigger fish to fry and don't want to be involved in forcing cyclists to behave. Which is the right approach for law enforcement.

Most of these riders understand they ride in a legal twilight. In exchange for ignoring traffic flow control, they ride early when things are more quiet. They don't want the fight to get the streets better designed as multi-use, but it's probably time to start.

One of my bones to pick with some Critical Mass events was they ignored traffic rules. I think they can make the same point while obeying traffic control. In fact, I'd say it's even better when they mind the vehicle code.

 

[patrick767]

One of my bones to pick with some Critical Mass events was they ignored traffic rules. I think they can make the same point while obeying traffic control. In fact, I'd say it's even better when they mind the vehicle code.

Agreed. We only started getting Critical Mass events around here a few years ago. One of the goals they claimed was that of getting cyclists the proper respect from motorists. I missed the first one, but asked a friend who went about it and she described running numerous red lights. Their large numbers simply forced cars to stop that had green lights. Stupid. All that's going to do is **** off the motorists, and justifiably so, making the relationship between motorists and cyclists even worse.

Two years ago an alternative group was formed to do rides that obey all the traffic laws. They only go once or twice a year though.

 

[shawnrohrbach]

Agreed. We only started getting Critical Mass events around here a few years ago. One of the goals they claimed was that of getting cyclists the proper respect from motorists. I missed the first one, but asked a friend who went about it and she described running numerous red lights. Their large numbers simply forced cars to stop that had green lights. Stupid. All that's going to do is **** off the motorists, and justifiably so, making the relationship between motorists and cyclists even worse.

Two years ago an alternative group was formed to do rides that obey all the traffic laws. They only go once or twice a year though.

I completely agree about the whole notion of obeying traffic laws, but Critical Mass is just one example of groups who openly disregard the laws, such as some clubs here in San Diego and Seattle (when I lived there); they ride six and seven abreast, blocking all traffic behind and yes, those motorists are rightfully angry. I served as a volunteer PR person for one club and quit when members refused to stop pi$$ing out in the open in front of children. I refused to put a positive spin on someone hanging his dingaling out in public. I work for a large university and see various team kits around campus a lot, and I can predict with a fair degree of accuracy the riders who will blow through stops signs and traffic lights with careless abandon. And this is not just during a once a month or week protest ride; it is every single day.

 

[MarkvW]

I HATE Critical Mass.

I ride to work almost every day. My life depends on every single one of the motorists I encounter on the road. And those scumsucking wadheads purposely flout the rules of the road? Their perverted mission is to aggravate the drivers that my life depends on.

Jerks. . .

 

[DirtyWorks]

I completely agree about the whole notion of obeying traffic laws, but Critical Mass is just one example of groups who openly disregard the laws, such as some clubs here in San Diego and Seattle (when I lived there); they ride six and seven abreast, blocking all traffic behind and yes, those motorists are rightfully angry. I served as a volunteer PR person for one club and quit when members refused to stop pi$$ing out in the open in front of children. I refused to put a positive spin on someone hanging his dingaling out in public. I work for a large university and see various team kits around campus a lot, and I can predict with a fair degree of accuracy the riders who will blow through stops signs and traffic lights with careless abandon. And this is not just during a once a month or week protest ride; it is every single day.

Shawn,

As easy as it is to point fingers at some riders, we all know there are STILL major access problems in the U.S. The article highlights the access problem and the bicycle and rider is not afforded the same social/political stature as an auto driver.

I'm actually okay with a bunch of cyclists taking a lane. The law is not challenged in California, but the municipal two-wide rule is technically unenforceable. The municipalities will pretend it is. But no one has spent the time and money to elevate it to the State legal level.

The problem no competitive cyclists want to touch is getting themselves some roads designated as multi-use and changing the notion that autos rule the road. Since I'm vaguely familiar with riding in San Diego, I think you might agree the auto culture would just explode in rage if the cars pre-eminence on the road was challenged by slowing them down or taking a lane away in the S.D. area.

Fatandfast's post is emblematic of the problem. The story turned a Critical Mass event into a auto-hating bogeyman. Who knows... I remember when skateboarders were bogeymen and got tickets. Now they have municipal skate parks. Maybe there IS hope.

 

[lightclimber]

Who knows... I remember when skateboarders were bogeymen and got tickets. Now they have municipal skate parks. Maybe there IS hope.

Not the way I see it. Skateboaders still ride, and still get tickets outside of skate parts. What do you propose the city do, build a pump track, put a fence around it and say "Here cyclists, we built you a place to ride. You ride inside the fenced in area now. No more street/sidewalk riding for you." There is zero correlation between municipal skate parks and cyclists riding on city streets.

 

[ElChingon]

I like the text in the video stating they've been doing it for 20 years. If true somebody in the PD is going to have some questions to answer

In closing, anyone can make a similar video on cars speeding, joggers j-walking, dogs pooping without pickup, on any street and up the ante, nothing is going to come of that other than more red tape.

 

[Hitchey]

I completely agree about the whole notion of obeying traffic laws, but Critical Mass is just one example of groups who openly disregard the laws, such as some clubs here in San Diego and Seattle (when I lived there); they ride six and seven abreast, blocking all traffic behind and yes, those motorists are rightfully angry. I served as a volunteer PR person for one club and quit when members refused to stop pi$$ing out in the open in front of children. I refused to put a positive spin on someone hanging his dingaling out in public. I work for a large university and see various team kits around campus a lot, and I can predict with a fair degree of accuracy the riders who will blow through stops signs and traffic lights with careless abandon. And this is not just during a once a month or week protest ride; it is every single day.

How do you "predict" which "team kits" are going to blow stop signs and traffic lights with careless abandon and at which campus?
Does that mean that based on the brand of jeans or backpack a student may be wearing or carrying, I can also "predict" with accuracy that they are just going to walk across the street or the parking lot or off the curb right in front of me without even looking just because there are a couple of other people walking in front of or around them? Many people do it.

A careless mob mentality is just that-regardless of what they are on or not on.
Personally, I go out of my way to try and never take another's right of way at a crossing or intersection and even try to be extra courteous and affect those motorists around me in a positive way while I'm on my bike-but I'm so tired of raging upset motorists around me while riding-and I'm without doubt the critical mass rides only add fuel and hatred towards cyclists.

Anyone have any good ideas as to how one might be able to discourage the critical mass rides? I've thought long and hard about that one.

 

[gttim!]

The article was talking about rides that have a "critical mass," not the "Critical Mass Rides." The author of the article fails to understand the difference.

Luckily in my city and the surrounding cities/towns, police make an effort to get large rides through town safely. We have been escorted and have even had police cork intersections for us. This seems to be the best for everybody. Cyclists get through quickly, motorists are less inconvenienced, and fewer accidents happen. Just the smart thing to do.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Not the answer

Anyone have any good ideas as to how one might be able to discourage the critical mass rides? I've thought long and hard about that one.

That's a futile approach. I stick by the notion if the rides/riders obeyed traffic signals, then motorists would still be angry, but it would really challenge the built-in assumptions about cars, bicyclists, and roads. The moral high ground in my best case scenario translates to a force needed to improve access. Motorists interest will fight it every single step of the way, but old ways die hard.

Regarding the pump track comment. I see your point. My demands for access would be to make existing roads multi-use, not another expensive American bike path to nowhere or 'bike track.'

 

[Rupert]

Differences

While people do break traffic laws on both types, I feel there are important differences between different sorts of rides. I see "Critical Mass" as an IN YOUR FACE type mentality, sometimes set at high traffic times in downtown areas, that goes out of it's way to antagonize drivers and police. Other group rides, such as the Tucson Shootout or lower key group rides, try to be low-key by riding early on weekend mornings, on less-traveled roads (as much as is possible). Different types of riders characterize each, with different mentalities. I don't appreciate any behavior when it antagonizes drivers whom I have to face on the road later. Some competitive riders are very arrogant road hogs, and take the lane or ride 2 or more abreast when it isn't smart or necessary (although sometimes is legal). I prefer to try and ride safely, don't necessarily stop completely at stop signs when it's not unsafe to do so, but always stop at lights, for public relations reasons if nothing else. And I try to cooperate with drivers, single up to help the flow of traffic when able but take the lane when necessary for my safety. I don't think Critical Mass ride should be equated with most other group rides because they are so different, although the driving public thinks both are a bunch of arrogant jerks who disobey traffic laws. Kind of a ramble, sorry.

 

[Boeing]

It is easy to put a cap in these guys in this video for rolling one stop.

In fact here come the tough hard fit guys riding at the level critical mass hitting the reply button on the internet to tell us all how strong they are and how fat these guys are. You guys are so fit and so lean and so clean clean, you ride at "the level" and don't bounce 4 abreast ever in the pack...blah blah. thank yo for sharing but is it relevant?

Really though is this any different than any typical group ride? Critical mass is a little bigger than this

I recognize some of those dudes hahaha

velo allegro hahahaha there are bigger fish to fry PD

 

[runninboy]

While people do break traffic laws on both types, I feel there are important differences between different sorts of rides. I see "Critical Mass" as an IN YOUR FACE type mentality, sometimes set at high traffic times in downtown areas, that goes out of it's way to antagonize drivers and police. Other group rides, such as the Tucson Shootout or lower key group rides, try to be low-key by riding early on weekend mornings, on less-traveled roads (as much as is possible). Different types of riders characterize each, with different mentalities. I don't appreciate any behavior when it antagonizes drivers whom I have to face on the road later. Some competitive riders are very arrogant road hogs, and take the lane or ride 2 or more abreast when it isn't smart or necessary (although sometimes is legal). I prefer to try and ride safely, don't necessarily stop completely at stop signs when it's not unsafe to do so, but always stop at lights, for public relations reasons if nothing else. And I try to cooperate with drivers, single up to help the flow of traffic when able but take the lane when necessary for my safety. I don't think Critical Mass ride should be equated with most other group rides because they are so different, although the driving public thinks both are a bunch of arrogant jerks who disobey traffic laws. Kind of a ramble, sorry.

the Critical Mass rides from what i remember started with a kind of mass anarchy in SF which was always a dangerous place to drive let alone ride. I had done a little riding in the City prior to the CM rides so i symphathized with their cause. However when i saw these *** hats banging on cars and using aggressive behaviour toward motorists i quickly lost interest.

Not too much later however LA Mayor Richard Riordan started his bike with the mayor rides or whatever they were called. The word was put out and alot of local teams were mixed in with the general public.
It was really the best way to "raise awareness" police escorts, cyclists behaving themselves etc etc. We took the opportunity to help some of the newbie cyclists. I remember i had a teammate who pointed a girl out to me who's saddle was way too high and her hips were rocking on every pedal stroke. In a nice way he commented that her saddle was a little high and he could quickly fix it for her. Well she declined, later at the end of the ride she sought us out and said she was very sore and should have taken him up on his offer. He went and fixed the saddle and gave her a quick primer on bike fit. We also helped some newbies change flats etc.

Personally i think even if CM was started with good intentions the reality is alot of people just use it as a way to cause trouble. There are better ways to raise awareness without raising motorists ire.

 

[Zerak-Tul]

http://www.theurbancountry.com/2011/02/critical-mass-carnage.html

There are some really sick people out there..

 

[Roland Rat]

http://www.theurbancountry.com/2011/02/critical-mass-carnage.html

There are some really sick people out there..

That's shocking. How desensitised to violence must someone be to plough straight through a group of cyclists? Disgusting. I bet they don't get caught either.