Courteous Mass? Critical Mass?
Written by Boston Biker on Jul 31So as of late there has been a bit of a stink a brewin’ on various bicycle related message boards about town. Let me boil it down for you:
Side one: Critical Mass is stupid and horrible
Side two: Critical Mass is great and awesome
If you are not familiar with Critical Mass, let me attempt to sum it up (its rather hard to summarize a group with no stated goal, no leader, and no actual group organization). Critical mass is the last Friday of every month, people meet at Copley square and then ride around town. It is usually a really fun and light time that you should check out at least once if you live in Boston. They do not follow traffic laws, but the ride is usually orderly, and usually gets around places with a minimum of hassle. Car drivers are often pissed because it is Friday night and they just want to get home, but as often they enjoy the parade like atmosphere of it all. Like I said it’s hard to summarize.
Now I am not really sure what side I come down on, as I can see it from both points of view, the main contention seems to be people getting pissed that traffic is slowed, and laws are broken. The whole NYPD cop shoving a kid off his bike and then lying about it thing during this last critical mass didn’t help either, not to mention the crazy people in Seattle that tore a car apart after someone hit a biker.
Tension is high, and both sides are making good points. So it could have ended there but Jon (whoever he may be) is trying to organize a “Courteous Mass” or a Critical Mass that follows the law. I will be interested to see how this goes. Here is the email I got below.
So if you are a normal Critical Masser and want to see what it’s like to stop at those red lights give it a go, if you are a normal roady that wants a small taste of what a Critical Mass ride is about go for it. I will let you debate the merits/drawbacks of Critical Mass in the comments.
Courteous Mass
Friday August 8th – 5:30pm – Copley Square
Just like Critical Mass, only this ride will obey traffic laws
Spread the word. (or in this case, email)
– Jon
Add to Reddit. Tags: Courteous Mass, Critical Mass, group ride
Posted in advocacy, fun | 7 Comments »
7 Responses
to “Courteous Mass? Critical Mass?”
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By kt on Aug 5, 2008 | Reply
You intend to obey traffic laws. Good. Does the law against riding two abreast count?
By Supermark on Aug 5, 2008 | Reply
I agree with KT. You’re supposed to ride single-file or something. Isn’t there a law about getting a permit and having a planned route, too?
I might show up just to see how badly this bombs. (no offense)
By Jym on Aug 5, 2008 | Reply
=v= Critical Mass is traffic, so it’s got its stupid and horrible aspects as well as its great and awesome aspects. To mischaracterize it as only its negative aspects isn’t courteous in the least.
By Pat on Aug 6, 2008 | Reply
I got nothing better to do friday so I’ll show up. If it bombs then I’m sure I can find somewhere else to cause trouble in the city.
By Pierce on Jul 22, 2010 | Reply
or do what i do, take the crosswalk on “walk” during critical mass, walking (sometimes with my bike even) as slowly and strategically to force as many “cyclists” to stop as possible
By Megan on Sep 8, 2010 | Reply
Love the courteous mass idea. Somebody has got to present the bicycling culture as one that is respectful of both pedestrians and cars.
By Roller Chain on Sep 4, 2011 | Reply
Riding Two Abreast Permitted : Bicyclists are no longer restricted to riding single file at all times. You can now ride two abreast (two bicycles, side-by-side), except that you still have to help faster vehicles to pass. So stay in single file when cars need to get by! On multi-lane roads, you can ride two abreast, but all the cyclists in your group must stay in one lane (which will usually be the right-hand lane unless you are making a left turn).
Thanks for supporting courteous cycling.
And CMers… please try to be supportive of fellow cyclists, isn’t advocacy and community building part of CM culture? Represent the best part of that spirit.