Critical Mass Turns 15
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 09.29.07
Oh, adolescence. It was fifteen years ago this week that 40+ bicyclists got together for a group ride, showing that roads aren't just meant for cars. From this unceremonious "birth," Critical Mass has grown to become a part of the bicycle culture in many cities around the world. As is the case with many teenagers, the group has gone through quite a growth spurt:
What began with four dozen bicyclists riding together up Market Street on Sept. 25, 1992, has turned into a monthly happening that regularly draws thousands of participants pedaling along the streets of San Francisco, at times drawing both praise and scorn.
We would send Critical Mass a birthday card, if only there was somewhere to send it. The "group" is not really a group at all. Rather, it is an event without central leadership - spreading through word of mouth. Maybe the best gift would be to just show up and ride, anyway.
:: Via Planetizen and San Francisco Chronicle
The whole "critical mass" thing is tired and the original goals of this informal monthly awareness ride are lost. In Boston, for example, "Critical Mass" amounts to a bunch of people wearing no helmets riding around on bikes with no brakes breaking laws at every corner, stop sign, and red light. Any positivity "Critical Mass" ever generated for bike advocacy is long gone.
Maybe so, Joe.
Keep in mind, though, that at any given time there are people driving around in unsafe cars (no brakes?), breaking laws at every corner, stop sign and red light.
If Critical Mass has gone beyond it's original goal, that's okay. It's growing into it's next stage. And if it's only purpose is for cyclists to get out together and create a presence (it's original goal), then that is reason enough.
In Minneapolis last month this movement ran in to trouble when a cyclist started ride head on at cars. When police attmepted to stop the individual, people began combating the police. Help was called for and it turned in to a riot.
The upside is that this weeks gathering was both larger and peaceful after the police and organisers tried to work out a better system. Lets all hope it stays that way.
I question the support of 'If Critical Mass has gone beyond it's original goal, that's okay." if public endangerment is going to get a green light. I support peaceful rallies, but if the groups cannot keep their people in check and work with the poilce, they are going to make the rallies look like street gangs. The hearts and minds that your are trying to win are not going to support you want.
If we look at what could happen, say a cyclist runs a redlight and gets hit by a car, do you really think there is going to be a peacful outcome? You suddenly have someone injured and the potential for an angry, wrongfully so (from a legal standpoint, you people on your moral and ethical high-horses can put it on YouTube), mob of people yelling at the auto driver. If that person panics for fear of their life how many more people get run over if they flee? These kind of things do happen when emotions run high.
-Lego