Comments on Jenn's review of Critical Mass
Critical Mass
Description: A monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists' right to the road.
Riding your bike is critical, mass is not
After living in San Francisco for many years without a car - using my bike as my primary means of transportation - I admit to having participated in a few Critical Mass events. As someone who daily rode a bicycle on all the busiest streets in San Francisco, I found that the event tended to attract two groups of folks who don't do much to help the general cause of cyclists.
First group are those folks with a chip on their shoulder -- they ride in CM and get out their anger and frustration banging on cars, and yelling at drivers and pedestrians. They feel a need to be superior. They set an example for the second group -- those folks who rarely ride their bikes in the city because they feel it is "too dangerous." This second group are not all very experienced cyclists -- either in the city or in large groups. They are out for a joyride, doing something for a thrill and pretending it is for a "cause." They don't pay attention and swerve or turn in ways that endanger other cyclists and don't take responsibility for their obliviousness.
We don't need Critical Mass. It really creates a lot of hostility toward cyclists. Many times I have been cut off by a driver who would speed up to turn left in front of me as I approached an intersection -- often yelling "faggot" or "go back to critical mass" (neverminding the fact that I am distinctly female in appearance and riding alone on a non CM day).
What we need is more cyclists riding their bikes as a matter of routine. Nothing thrills me more than to see congestion in the bike lane on Folsom St as folks head from the Mission to offices in SOMA and downtown. Attend bicycle safety and awareness events (see the SF Bike Coalition - www.sfbike.org).
Jenn's keywords: sfbc, san francisco bicycle coalition, bicycle
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Adam W. says:
No way! Critical Mass is one of the only real protest 'marches" left in America. The people riding in it are doing something - they are forming together as a group and showing how large the cause for bikes is. There are definitely people out there with chips on their shoulders - but it is a huge minority. For the most part, all the hoots and catcalls when someone honks their horn are in good fun - even the people in the cars honk their horns on purpose and wave back when we yell at them.
It would be great to get less animosity between cars and bicycles on the road, but i think the idea of this once a month is incredibly liberating.
Jenn A. says:
What is CM "protesting"? That there are too many cars? Not enough space for bikes? That bicycles should follow the same rules as cars?
Sorry, my friend, I think there are far more effective methods for increasing cyclist visibility and safety. This is an event that has had a place in history and folks need to shift into more productive, constructive and proactive exercises to help the cause.