Article on Critical Mass

[Ryan Brady]

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be submitting this article to SDS' publication. I know opinions on CM vary within Spokescouncil and I'm not putting Spokes' name on this or anything. I try to approach the issue (of which I'm pro-CM) in a level headed manner, so I was hoping anyone interested could look over this and give their opinions on my arguments, and maybe even start a discussion on CM within Spokescouncil.

Thanks!

Ryan

[Juan Barredo]

How do the opinions differ about critical mass within spokes council?  They better be the "great vs greatest" type of differing or we are gonna have to have A WITCH HUNT!

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "spokescouncil" group.
To post to this group, send email to spokes...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to spokescounci...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/spokescouncil?hl=en.

[Ryan]

Also, if anyone wants to add their own piece (for, against, general
stories, etc. about critical mass), I would happily include it in the
next Sounds of a Democratic Society

>  Critical Mass.doc
> 28KViewDownload

[Ryan Brady]

Haha, there are actually a lot of avid cyclists that don't like and\or have really harsh critiques of critical mass, all valid and worth discussing.

[Juan Barredo]

WITCH HUNT BEGINS NOW

Phase 1:
-Aimlessly point fingers at each other.

Phase 2:
-war.

Phase 3:
-profit!

On Sep 14, 2010 9:44 PM, "Ryan Brady" <blit...@gmail.com> wrote:

Haha, there are actually a lot of avid cyclists that don't like and\or have really harsh critiques of critical mass, all valid and worth discussing.

On Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 5:50 PM, Ryan <blit...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

> Also, if anyone wants to ad...

[Ashley Lee]

LoloL

Sent from my iPhone

--

[dylan parrish]

3. ???

4. PROFIT

Also, I have a positive attitude toward CM. I agree with the general goal / aim of the event in that it definitely helps bikes get seen. It's always nice to stick it to drivers and be the majority on the road, too. 

And, at very least, it's a great excuse to go on a bike ride!

[Juan Barredo]

Well said, Dylan!  You'll be a great ally on the upcoming witch hunt.

On Sep 15, 2010 9:27 AM, "dylan parrish" <parris...@gmail.com> wrote:

3. ???

4. PROFIT

Also, I have a positive attitude toward CM. I agree with the general goal / aim of the event in that it definitely helps bikes get seen. It's always nice to stick it to drivers and be the majority on the road, too. 

And, at very least, it's a great excuse to go on a bike ride!

On Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 11:09 PM, Ashley Lee <ashl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> LoloL
>

> Sent from ...

[Landon P. Grantham]

Safety issues between bicycles and automobiles sharing roadways arise from misunderstood bicycle/vehicle regulations just as often as they arise from lack of bicycle awareness on the roads.  As a "function of safety," CM rides should promote safe operation of bicycles on roadways beyond the immediate ride to support the cycling community for every other day of the month when there are not hundreds of riders on the same route.  Yes, we are cyclists!  Yes we ride in the road!  And yes we are absolutely intimidated by cars!  "Corkscrewing" at intersections so cars don't become angered between split groups?  Breaking traffic regulations to show that cars should yield to bikes?  We ride in the road because bicycles are legal vehicles which integrate safely and without obstruction to traffic while traffic flow regulations are observed by all involved parties.  Let's actually focus on "education and responsibility" and not "taking over the streets."  


Witch hunt.

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "spokescouncil" group.
To post to this group, send email to spokes...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to spokescounci...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/spokescouncil?hl=en.

--
Landon P. Grantham

[Joseph Venuto]

Landon summed up my thoughts perfectly.  I'm not opposed to a monthly ride were people do crazy things.  I just don't think that it should be considered a protest to promote bicycle awareness and safety if you're not going to be following the laws.

[Juan Barredo]

I can definitely agree but the only way to not loose the impact of the ride/demonstration/etc. is to keep it together, it's not a critical mass if it's broken up during every red light.  Sacrifices have to be made, IMO.

On Sep 15, 2010 6:49 PM, "Joseph Venuto" <jbve...@gmail.com> wrote:

Landon summed up my thoughts perfectly.  I'm not opposed to a monthly ride were people do crazy things.  I just don't think that it should be considered a protest to promote bicycle awareness and safety if you're not going to be following the laws.

On Wed, Sep 15, 2010 at 12:02 PM, Landon P. Grantham <landong...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

> Safety ...

[Ryan Brady]

This is great, just the discussion I was hoping for :D A lot of CM riders are unaware that many folks in the cycling community disagree with CM, and the criticisms are important to at least understand, if not address.

CM is in no way a protest ride. The great thing about it is that people make these various ideas of what it is, and it usually fits every one. A lot of people consider it a celebration, or a parade, or a protest, or a group ride, etc. Many people have different reasons for coming to CM, and no group controls its message or intention. And honestly, say it were ONLY a protest ride: what protests have made any social change by following the laws?  To me breaking traffic regulations is something I do sometimes as long as it is safer for me. 

• See: different turns (i.e. box turn) at http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/animations/.
•  There are many other situations also: riding the opposite way on the sidewalk for a short distance instead of making two lefts on a busy street to get somewhere
•  running red lights that don't trigger for bikes
•  rolling stops at empty stop signs
•  riding with one hand
•  riding in the middle lane really early before a left turn if traffic is busy and you see an early opening, etc.

 Usually traffic regulations are good, but I ride any way that keeps me safest (of course sometimes I selfishly use convenience as a factor, within reason). I can agree with meeting motorists halfway, but I can't agree that laws are the be all and end all of a positive cycling community.

"misunderstood bicycle/vehicle regulations just as often as they arise from lack of bicycle awareness on the roads" I would say that this leaves out a major component... car culture. Car culture promotes car as a class weapon of status and power when in the driver seat. I have argured with motorists way past the points of bike laws to where they think the laws are dead wrong and bikes should remain in sidewalks and trails always. If drivers that yell\honk\put lives in danger by intimidation were explained bike laws, I doubt all of them would just stop being angry at having to slow down. 

Also, asking CM to promote rides beyond its function is the job of the cycling community, not CM. Riders are not expected to learn everything about riding on the road during CM, and CM never claims to do that. Riders should (emphasis on should) expect to feel safe in numbers at CM when they are otherwise too intimidated to ride in the streets alone. The continuing education after that is in the hands of the rider and the community. 

--