Critical Mass

ralphbefree

Here, in San Francisco is the home of the Critical Mass Movement. On the last friday of every month in the heart of the financial district an unorganized group of cyclists take over the streets of san francisco. After a visit to China George Bliss perpetuated the idea of blocking car traffic to foster the the bicycle movement. Bliss, a bi-ped designer, has fathered a movement of mass chaos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass

I have mixed feeling about this "movement". First I like how thier is no central organization or leadership for the authorities to attack. On the other hand though I am a tax payer and possesor of a California Drivers License. We pay an exuberant amount of taxes for our "priviledge" to drive on these great, well maintained streets (designed for cars). When a vigilante group, and I call them vigilante because of thier willingful acts of traffic blocking, whose main purpose is to disrupt the lives of others to perpetuate thier ideas.

Could you imagine if a Jehova Witness came to your door, and then proceded to block your door while preaching thier beliefs. This behavior is not right in a "FREE" country. I have the FREEDOM to not be forced into anothers beliefs.

Gagnar The Unruly

I bike to work every day, and people are rude pretty often. I do wish there was a way to make motorists understand what it's like to be a biker, because maybe it would help them pay more attention and be more considerate. I hate it when people speed up to get around me, and then turn right immediately in front of me! And I can't even honk my horn or rev my engine at them! It makes a person feel powerless. But I also don't think these confrontational demonstrations are the answer. I think motorists will only start being nicer they learn to respect bikers, instead of viewing them as a nuisance.

HoboPelican

I don't have to put up with anything like that here central Ohio, but I can tell you, without much doubt, that that sort of demonstration is going to be counterproductive and just annoy the folks in motorized vehicles stuck in that mess. Drivers annoyed by a mass of bikers are NOT going be more considerate to a lone biker afterwards. I think it is less designed to educate the public about bikers than it is to just get even.

Osmodius

Eventually some guy will flip and run a bunch of them down in his SUV.

And that'll be the end of that. <3 America.

tomahawk19

Gagnar The Unruly

As a person who bikes regularly, it upsets me to see bicyclists regularly breaking the law on the road. I particularly don't like it when people do things like run stop signs or red lights. If cyclists want respect as vehicles, they need to respect the law! As a cyclist, I try to do my part to be safe and respect the rules of the road. I try to go as fast as I reasonably can, I *almost* always signal, and I always follow traffic law (except for riding on the sidewalk occassionally to avoid nasty intersections).

notbroken

animhawks

The first two posts talking about simply limiting the supply of fuel to the engine would have about the same effect as placing a block under the gas pedal, keeping you from pushing it too far down. It would be better to limit the amount of fuel by limiting the use of the accelerator, because I worry that partially blocking the fuel lines at any point would increase the pressure of the lines, which might eventually cause leaks or harm to the fuel pump.

Andrew426

GSIS

Let's all cycle everywhere.

Where do you suppose the money will come from to build and maintain the roads we'll still need?

ocalhoun

^Taxes on the bikes, of course.
Or, *gasp* toll roads.
At least it shouldn't take as much money, because the roads will be smaller and get less wear and tear.
Of course, that won't work too well; how will the big truck get to the store to deliver a shipment of bicycles and motorbikes?

GSIS

Precisely.

I have a sneaking suspicion that many people choose to cycle because they're cheap to use (almost zero cost) rather than because they're eco-friendly.

Once taxes are imposed and, no doubt, mandatory insurance (3rd party at least) they won't be so attractive. Large roads will still be required to transport retail goods. Since the total contribution from the reduced number of private motorists will be much lower (unless road taxes for private motorists are substantially and unfairly increased) corporate users (truck drivers) will pay more and the retail price of goods will increase.

This may actually be a fairer system because it will force the 'green' cyclists who are, currently, not paying their due for delivered goods to actually do so.

However - I, for one, will be mightily p!ssed off if my cost of living increases and I can no longer afford the vehicle I need to do the work I do simply because a bunch of hypocritical anarchists got what they asked for.

Gagnar The Unruly

I reject your notion that most cyclists bike to work because it's cheaper. The people I know who commit to biking to work or school every day do it for two reasons.

1) It's healthier
2) It's better for the world.

The notion that biking is bad for the economy or that bicyclists are moochers is ridiculous. For one thing, bikes cause far less wear and tear on roads than cars. For another thing, there is a widespread desire among politicians, economists, and businessmen to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. The easiest way to do this is to discourage automobile use. America would be far better off without as much automobile-related fuel use. In that sense, riding bikes instead of driving is, quite literally, patriotic.

Remember, the oil market is led by the consumer. America's dependence on foreign oil allows the oil producers to increase their prices to match the given demand. If we reduce our dependence by cutting our national fuel use, fuel prices will actually go down. You should thank bicyclists for helping to reduce your fuel costs every month.

The global warming cost to the taxpayer will far exceed any possible consequences of everybody biking to work and paying less fuel tax.

Some people can't seem to see the forest for the trees, and it's unfortunate that they are willing to risk their planet on behalf of their own selfish behaviors.

Coclus

You are right when you claim the road to cars and traffic in general, but if they got the license to demonstrate then they can do whatever they want to..

gandalfthegrey

We have a very well attended Critical Mass event every month in Toronto.

We also have a twice yearly event called "Critical Ass" (i.e. naked bike ride down the streets on downtown Toronto.)

http://www.cmtoronto.ca/ - Critical Mass Toronto

scotty

Cyclists cop a lot of flak from motorists. I've done my fair share of road cycling on city streets and I've had people cut me off, pass too close, etc. I've run stop signs and red lights (only pedestrian lights after the pedestrians have crossed, not at intersections) which I know annoys motorists. As a car driver I've never run a single light. However, I support protest from cyclists and the way most motorists treat them. On a bicycle your life is totally in the hands of the drivers around you and a lot of the time it is hard to feel safe. If a bunch of cyclists getting even deters other drivers from passing too close to the lone cyclist, just once its worth it. Disrupt traffic I don't care, its a protest and its a worthy cause. Just last week I had to walk because a bunch of hippie students were complaining about non-existant "student poverty" and the trams weren't running. If they can do that, critical mass has my approval.

standready

Davidgr1200