http://www.triplepundit.com/2007/04/monday-opinion-critical-mass-incident-a-setback-to-cycling-progress/ Business, Better. Since 2005 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.triplepundit.com/2007/04/monday-opinion-critical-mass-incident-a-setback-to-cycling-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-14663 RaeRae Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:44:19 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2007/04/monday-opinion-critical-mass-incident-a-setback-to-cycling-progress/#comment-14663 I have always felt that critical mass is a really really bad way to make a point. It basically causes a bunch of average citizens in their cars to be delayed, heckled, and confused, with really no benefit. The motorists get angry, and the bikers alienate themselves from a more mainstream audience whom, if approached more intelligently, might support their mission. I think bikes are a wonderful thing. I think causing a ruckus and a nuisance for ordinary people is counter to the mission of bike advocacy. I have always felt that critical mass is a really really bad way to make a point. It basically causes a bunch of average citizens in their cars to be delayed, heckled, and confused, with really no benefit. The motorists get angry, and the bikers alienate themselves from a more mainstream audience whom, if approached more intelligently, might support their mission.
I think bikes are a wonderful thing. I think causing a ruckus and a nuisance for ordinary people is counter to the mission of bike advocacy.

]]> http://www.triplepundit.com/2007/04/monday-opinion-critical-mass-incident-a-setback-to-cycling-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-14662 Janis Mara Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:45:19 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2007/04/monday-opinion-critical-mass-incident-a-setback-to-cycling-progress/#comment-14662 Wow, talk about mixed emotions! This whole subject certainly inspires them in me. I belong to a cycling club and own four bicycles, and two of my friends have been killed by cars when riding bicycles. That said, however, I'm a bit leery of Critical Mass. I've observed the event many times, and on the one hand wanted to cheer the bicyclists taking back the street, not to mention dressing funny and having a good time. ;-) But on the other hand, the event is inflammatory. It's during rush hour on Friday afternoon and it blocks drivers who are exhausted after a long week and just want to get home. It's dangerous for the cyclists and, as the confrontation you describe shows, dangerous for the drivers. There has to be a better way to promote understanding and sharing the road. Holding community meetings? Promoting the pro-bicycle agenda to political candidates? Here's one vision of a way to help bikes and cars roll in harmony: http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/physically-separated-bike-lanes/ Janis Mara www.ecotality.com Wow, talk about mixed emotions! This whole subject certainly inspires them in me. I belong to a cycling club and own four bicycles, and two of my friends have been killed by cars when riding bicycles.
That said, however, I’m a bit leery of Critical Mass. I’ve observed the event many times, and on the one hand wanted to cheer the bicyclists taking back the street, not to mention dressing funny and having a good time. ;-)
But on the other hand, the event is inflammatory. It’s during rush hour on Friday afternoon and it blocks drivers who are exhausted after a long week and just want to get home. It’s dangerous for the cyclists and, as the confrontation you describe shows, dangerous for the drivers.
There has to be a better way to promote understanding and sharing the road. Holding community meetings? Promoting the pro-bicycle agenda to political candidates?
Here’s one vision of a way to help bikes and cars roll in harmony: http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/physically-separated-bike-lanes/
Janis Mara
http://www.ecotality.com

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