Critical Mass - Looking for Fun
For me, Critical Mass has always seemed rather contentious and for that reason, I've been reluctant to join the ride. I received this message from the Atlanta CM however, that I find very encouraging:
WE'RE GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US!
Sometimes it's not easy or safe riding a bike on Atlanta's streets. Thanks to people like you, for a few hours on the last Friday of every month, Critical Mass transforms choked streets in nearly 400 cities on six continents into rolling festivals. By riding a bike, you help. You're not endangering other folks, you're not hogging more space than you need, you're not wasting energy, you're not contributing to greenhouse gases, and you're not crying for more roads. Together, we can envision a more bike-friendly city and together, we can have fun making it happen. It's your Mass!
SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Who's in charge here? We all are but it's crucial for you to remember: you're responsible for your own actions. We're all responsible for Critical Mass being fun and safe so if you see someone doing something you think is wrong, talk with them. They may tell you to stuff it but Hey! This is Atlanta and it's your Mass!
Where are we going? Wherever we feel like going. Friendly chats amongst riders at the front of Critical Mass usually help decide where we go. If you'd like to have a say, get to the front and offer your suggestion. If you want to hand out maps of a route you want to take, that's good too. It's your Mass!
What's our route? You'd better re-read the preceding answer.
Critical Mass works best when it's tightly bunched, not strung out and scattered: keep together and always keep moving forward. If you see the ride thinning out, if you see gaps, or if the front of the Mass rides too fast, shout out. Call out to people in front to slow down so the ride can regroup. If you're at the back of the Mass, don't be a snail. We don't set a fast pace so everyone: please keep up. Don't dawdle. You undermine our strength, our Mass. Help keep the ride tight, coherent, and safe. The power of the Mass lies in its numbers and in staying together. Stay with the Mass! Don't be a hero. You're not invincible. If you're reasonable, not threatening or abusive, you shouldn't have any problems. Relax, enjoy the ride, and encourage others to do the same. It's your Mass!
Is it okay to scream at car drivers? Critical Mass imagines a possibility in which anger and violence don't rule the road. If you're itching for aggravation, provocation, confrontation, an argument, a fight, or a riot, please, please curb your rage during the ride. Smile. Wave to the silly drivers. Remember, you're having fun,
right? It's your Mass!
Okay, should we share the road? ALWAYS YIELD TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES. We should also open a lane for busses: folks who ride public transit are our allies. And even if pedestrians do bone-head things right in front of your bike and you're sure their skulls are filled with dead insects, pedestrians are our friends too. Let's yield to them as cars should yield to us. Help by reminding other riders. Hassling pedestrians and drivers is no fun for anyone. Smile, wave, and talk to drivers and pedestrians when you have a chance. Hand them flyers explaining Critical Mass. If a light turns red and you're in the middle of the ride, you should probably keep going. If you're at the front of the ride, stop. Watch how others deal with traffic -- and learn. It's your Mass!
But what about the cops? In the past, several riders have been arrested during Critical Mass. If cops come along for the ride, try not to clash with them. Why give the police an excuse to stop our ride or to bust anybody? Confronting the police and going out of your way to obstruct other traffic could get you arrested. Keep together, learn from others, and remember: you're responsible for your own actions. It's your Mass!
Why are YOU riding? Critical Mass is a blank slate. Some of us are just riding from here to there ... on bikes, skates, and skateboards. Some of us ride to encourage other cyclists, promote bicycle commuting, and advocate bicycle world domination, but mostly, we ride to bring people together in the open air to have fun. Invent your own reasons for riding. Wear a costume if you'd like. Bring your own flyers to hand out to other riders or to folks we meet along the ride. Have an excellent time. It's your Mass!
Most important, come back, help us, and join us again: 6 pm, last Friday of every month, downtown Atlanta at Woodruff Park, corner of Peachtree St. and Auburn Ave. Bring water (you'll get thirsty), lights (it gets dark), and noisemakers. Dress for the weather. We usually end up someplace where the fun can continue so bring a lock. And bring friends!
posted by Jett @ 9:17 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Were you there? I was looking for you, I wanted to say hello to a fellow blogger! After reading your blog I thought I"ll just go check it out, it was a lot of fun!
I started riding Critical Mass last year. It is truly a blast. Very few motorists get upset, most are very nice and friendly. Many will even High 5 cyclists. We do get a mix of hipsters, messengers, commuters, college kids, young kids, roadies and even triathletes.
The only offensive behavior I noticed was a roadie/squid going the other way in Virginia Highlands decided to flip off CM as he road by. Sadly, spandex does not make one smart.
I was driving (in my car) by you guys this past Friday. Now I want to say, I'm a biker my self, but I was really disgusted by what I saw. You guys had take both your lane and the turn lane (which was for cars that were going the opposite direction then you) and people were swerving into oncoming traffic making a game of trying to get as close to oncoming cars as they could. One hit me. I personally feel that behavior like that will seriously hurt the image of bikers in this town and make it more dangerous for us in the long run. I think the idea of critical mass is cool, but please be responsible. If you want to be respected on the road you MUST obey the law. Sorry, but that's just how it works.
Hey Matt,
Thanks for bringing this up. I agree with you 100% and I'm sorry this happened.
Whereas I personally don't care for taking up all lanes of traffic in one direction, I understand how it benefits the riders in Critical Mass. Spreading into oncoming traffic however, is unacceptably dangerous and rude.
Twice I have seen your organization of "awareness of bicycles" front. Twice I have seen you break the law repeatedly and put yourselves and others in danger to promote a "peaceful cause". If you want to ride your bike on the street, by all means, do so. It is your privilege. What you are doing, in reality, is promoting the further cause of people to hate you and anyone else who rides a bike in Atlanta.
I have been living here for 4 years now and I would say that 9 times out of 10 that I see someone riding a bike on the street they are breaking the law by running stop signs and red lights. How does this promote the use of bicycles?
Do you need bike lanes? Certainly. Is what you are doing important in the grand scheme of things that you have to create a large nebulous screaming hazard? Not in the least. Do you feel that your rights are being infringed because it is difficult to ride a bike in Atlanta? If you do, you are an idiot and you should rethink operating any kind of vehicle; even something as simple to operate (including stopping at an intersection with a stop sign)such as a bicycle.
I think I understand your reasoning, albeit illogical. "Why should I stop? I am helping the environment and staying fit and am promoting a good cause; therefore traffic should wait for me."
One of these days someone in traffic will not wait for you then someone is going to get hurt. Is that what you want? Do you want a violent repercussion to your boneheaded movement? I sincerely hope that no one does with your "cause" while they are "corking".
If you want to protest something protest the lack of human rights, or the propensity of poverty.
It is not as if you are breaking the law in an act of protest to the law, you are merely breaking the law because it suits your desire to. Do you break the law when you are in your car? Do you repeatedly run stop signs and red lights in your SUV's? Hell no.
If you are protesting something what are you protesting? Are you protesting to get your streets back? See the previous paragraph regarding the use of your cars. The streets once had bicycles predominate about 100 years ago. Before that they had horses. Where is the critical mass for horse riding?
Wake up, your activities only damage your cause because all you really do is ride a bike with a bunch of other douchebags so that you can scream "Happy Friday!" and break the law.
At least people who tag the city are contributing in an artistic way. You just piss everyone off.
Give it up
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