Comments on Voice of Grant: Why I’m quitting the critical mass bike rides

I could not agree more with the position you'r...

2010-10-30T16:01:35.700-06:00

I could not agree more with the position you're taking. A few years ago, I was very excited to learn more about the critical mass movement. After being hit by a car outside the Drum and Monkey in the middle of the day, I lost a lot of my confidence as a cyclist. I hoped that critical mass would help me gain that confidence back, and I supported the movement in theory.

I then found CM was very different in practice. After disagreements with other riders for a few months in a row, I finally confronted another participant about his rude and counterproductive behaviour (he was a bike messenger, who generally don't seem to be safe cyclists in this city). The man then became quite mad and proceeded to harrass me for the rest of the ride. I haven't returned since.

Having lost two young, healthy friends in seperate bike accidents this autumn, I continue to worry about the state of cycling safety. I hope CM participants can learn to treat motor vehicles and each other as they'd want to be treated. And to ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a helmet!

As the commenters above, i share your rejection of...

2010-09-14T17:43:27.167-06:00

As the commenters above, i share your rejection of hostility during critical mass, but i think we can change critical mass. You are suggesting that it cannot be 'fixed', because there is no authority, decision making, or rule set. I fundamentally disagree and i think i am not alone. I think we should not capitulate to those that think of it as bikes-against-cars. Because critical mass is an open forum, it can be transformed by all of us to reflect what bike culture in Calgary should be: fun, safe, and inspirational.

Last month's ride was a positive and engaging ride and we all agreed that Calgary needs an open and positive monthly bike ride. As I posted on the Meetup and Facebook pages, I think we need to revive critical mass in Calgary. We should actively frame it as a peaceful event for Calgarians that is not against cars/drivers, but for diversity and human mobility.

I have asked you to pass on admin privileges so that we transform critical mass and also Calgary. Next week's critical mass ride is on and it will be awesome!

Sadly, it doesn't matter WHAT kind of ride you...

2009-08-31T08:01:21.198-06:00

Sadly, it doesn't matter WHAT kind of ride you organize. People, fuelled by the media, love to hate cyclists for the mere fact that they are cyclists. There is no valid reason. They will continue to discriminate against and harass us, and every time someone like you gives in to them, they've won. As a cyclist, I get harassed the most when I follow the rules to a tee. 'Damned if you do and damned if you don't'...so quit trying to appease drivers by turning against your fellow cyclists. Stand up for yourself. If driver's can't handle that, that's THEIR problem, not ours.

Totally agree. I live in Vancouver and luckily the...

2009-08-29T11:33:49.852-06:00

Totally agree. I live in Vancouver and luckily the Critical Mass nights here haven't escalated to that, but it completely defeats the purpose when people are behaving that way.

The 'Ride the Road' Tour held on Sunday, A...

2009-08-29T09:35:45.991-06:00

The 'Ride the Road' Tour held on Sunday, August 23rd, saw a little over 200 cyclists come out to experience what safe cycling on city streets can feel like. A rolling closure technique was employed to maintain the momentum of the peloton and the police escort kept the speed as low as practicable to allow families with children to participate. Bringing up the rear was a sweep team led by an experienced TransRockies staff.
Three distinct groups could be identified among the participants: commuters, Calgarians who want to commute (but are worried about their safety) and sport cyclists. (The latter who train on unsafe roads.)
The 'Ride the Road' Tour was sanctioned by the Alberta Bicycle Association and supported by almost every bicycle store and manufacturer in Calgary.
The staging ground was another Calgary first, the Calgary Bicycle Festival. The premier display at the Festival was Fugro-Roadware's technology for analyzing road surface quality which is crucial for smooth cycling and more people cycling more often.
The Calgary tour de nuit Society will be bringing back both events next year bigger and better than ever.

Great entry. I'm sorry to hear that something...

2009-08-28T22:32:03.824-06:00

Great entry.

I'm sorry to hear that something that you've put so much energy into building and promoting has taken a negative turn.

Best of luck in future projects!!

I am about to embark on my very first Critical mas...

2009-08-28T16:50:44.580-06:00

I am about to embark on my very first Critical mass ride today. Although part of me wants to refrain from participating after reading your comments, another part of me has faith that this ride might be different. do you know about the Tour de Nuit society? I did the Ride the Road event last weekend and it was very much like the peaceful, family oriented ride you envision.

I haven't done critical mass for several years...

2009-08-28T10:20:35.038-06:00

I haven't done critical mass for several years, but I share some of your concerns, Grant.

The biggest flaw I saw was that there wasn't enough positive interaction with drivers and that nobody encountering the ride could actually know what it was about!

Banners, shirts, backpack covers - riders need these to clearly communicate the objectives: more cyclists and fewer drivers for environmental and direct health benefits.

I can't fathom how anyone would think that dangerous, adversarial interaction with drivers would convince them to get out of their cars. If anything, it would reinforce the fears that contribute to them behind a wheel - and away from social interaction - in the first place.

there is a conversation going on over here - http:...

2009-08-28T09:19:00.408-06:00

there is a conversation going on over here - http://bikecalgary.org/?q=node/1500#comment-7009

check out the different links and let us know what you think.

hey grant i beleive calgary needs some kind of ad...

2009-08-28T08:01:45.767-06:00

hey grant

i beleive calgary needs some kind of advocacy ride too, but what that ride would look like still escapes me. good luck with your plans - and like pinkrobe said - have you thought about joining us at bikecalgary.org?

Great post and valid reasons for a different/bette...

2009-08-27T23:23:34.030-06:00

Great post and valid reasons for a different/better first ride of sorts!

I think the critical manners ride is a great model for a ride that increases the presence of bicyclists. Key point is that it is a "peaceful, purposeful and above-all respectful bike event"

Good things:
- preplanned route (city-approved??)
- lessons in hand signals and general bike/traffic safety
- can have staggered starts

I also envision that this ride can be just as joyous and fun. As apart of the preplanned route, checkpoints can planned as well. Ideally public spaces where participants can dismount and engage in an activity. Whether it's as simple as a photo op, or any other public space use activity of your imagination. A pedal pedestrian parade? Or maybe even road-chalking (or stenciling) pseudo bicycle symbols and lanes on the sides of the street that don't have but need (road/bike art). I participated in the Good Life's Amazing Bicycle Race this summer and determining the city's culturally related checkpoints was half the fun.

Also, to deal with the separation from the group issue. I would organize the riders to find a bike buddy. Pairs of twos or threes that stick together would maintain safety in hopefully preventing any people getting isolated and stranded.

I don't agree with the assertion that the author of that manners ride article made. (via sinderellah). "If the world you want to see is one in which cyclists continue to be relegated to the margins, ride in Critical Manners."

I argue that what is important is critical presence... not necessarily a critical mass *blob* that sticks together no matter what (especially where harmful individuals are encouraged). In copenhagen, amsterdam, berlin, they ride single-file. And the bicycling presence is still felt. And the safety in numbers in this case still applies. Critical rides should be riding where bicycle lanes are or should be (not blocking traffic in the middle of the road).

Anyways, this critical manners ride reminds me of the singing revolution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing_Revolution

People ride their bikes and look good doing it :)

It's interesting you posted this, as today I r...

2009-08-27T19:45:24.784-06:00

It's interesting you posted this, as today I read this article from Momentum Magazine:
http://www.momentumplanet.com/news/inaugural-vancouver-critical-manners-ride

Grant, have you thought about joining up with Bike...

2009-08-27T18:37:57.728-06:00

Grant, have you thought about joining up with BikeCalgary.org? We could use someone with your enthusiasm...