We have a long and conflicted history with our local critical mass rides here. Police have been known to outnumber cyclists, and take people down by force for minor issues. It's quite unfortunate because it means people like me are not willing to ride (with young kids, I can hardly risk getting beat up and arrested!)

We have some interesting issues with police here, largely because we have quite a strong anarchist contingent in town (many of the instigators at the WTO protests in Seattle hailed from here) that have been known to cause problems. This causes the police to often overreact at any kind of peaceful demonstration and start throwing their weight around when it isn't necessary. As I have both friends on the police force and friends among demonstrators, I can see both sides, however it does put a damper on participating in stuff like this (and I have to think pretty hard about going to peace rallies and the like as well, especially if I want to take the kids.)

Here's an article about some of the issues with Critical Mass here: http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2006/08/10/coverstory.html

Don't forget...Bike to work day on May 18. Yes I know may of you bike to work everyday (you lucky dogs ,you) but if you're not into Critical Mass, this is an alternative....
Here is our Local link waba.org

Yeah, Josh, pretty much, except that it welcomes folks who maybe haven't been on a bike since they were kids and older folks who would like to ride but feel a little unsure of themselves or intimidated by traffic. There's a good chance that drivers will take more notice of bikes once they have seen a bunch of us riding together.

'sides, - a "normal old group ride" often turns into an impromptu race and the goal of a CM is not to drop anybody so we ride at the pace of the slowest rider. That encourages conversation and relationships and hopefully builds community. I can't converse with somebody who's trying to beat me to the next stop sign especially if I'm over AT and sucking wind. heh.

tribro wrote: "..the town is small enough that it doesn't create much of a traffic issue. "

This reminds me that the CM motto is: We ARE Traffic!

IRONMOM, it's interesting to hear about the police tactics in your area. I'm sorry it has to become a confrontation for you

ANTON, May 18th? - I'll be there on two wheels. :)

PJT wrote: "..which to me doesn't seem like the best way to raise awareness of cycling and respect for cyclists' rights."

I agree PJ, some radicals go too far, which is what makes them radicals of course, but it raises the very earnest question, "What IS the best way to raise awareness of cycling and (hopefully) develop respect for 'cyclists' rights?

PoC

Good question PoC.

My view is that organized protests often fail change the minds of others, precisely because radicals tend to become the story and overshadow the message. I think there are a couple of non-radical ways to raise awareness and respect.

1. Lead by example. When you bike, be scrupulous about observing the law and be respectful to motorists & pedestrians--even when you are in the right. I know I have lost my temper on occasion after being cut-off, yelled at, etc., but I'm coming around to the idea that screaming at someone, while satsifying on a primal level, doesn't do much good for the next cyclist that driver comes across.

2. Educate the police. I think bike activist groups could spend money wisely by making sure that police officers, who after all are the ones who can enforce traffic laws, understand bike laws (some do not) and the importance of enforcing them to ensure the saftey of cyclists. My state bike federation (which I donate to) spends a portion of its budget doing just that.

3. Better education of drivers. I barely remember a whit of the laws about cars & bikes from drivers' ed class. I think many people honestly don't know that cyclists have rights to the road, or what those rights are. Whether it takes the form of beefed up drivers ed requirements or public service announements on the airwaves, a "share the road" message is important for everyone to hear. Again, this is something that requires funds, either for lobbying or advertising, to accomplish.

4. Lobbying for increased construction of bike lanes. In addition to being safer than riding in a regular lane, I think bike lanes are one of the things that a city can do to legitimize cycling in the minds of motorists.

I don't think any of these things, or even all of them, will change the world overnight, but I do think they can help. Any other ideas?

I hope your CM rides are civil. The ones here in Gainesville do much more to aggrevate everyone rather than educate the public. They ride four and five abreast, blocking traffic, while running red lights and stop signs. There's a rule on the UF cycling team that you aren't allowed to wear team kits on CM rides if you do them (I don't know anyone that actually does, though...the rides are very looked down upon by the teams in Gainesville). I really hope that your CM rides aren't anything like that.

Right on, TdB.
We haven't yet seen a degradation of CM to that level in these parts so I can keep the name for now.
I will encourage participants to behave and un-invite miscreants if I get the chance.
Being PrinceofClydes gets me some respect since miscreant bike riders are usually skinny guys with chips on their bony little shoulders.

heh.

PoC

As a member of law enforcement and a bike patrol officer in a sleepy midwestern town known for its liberal political views I have experienced these CM rides first hand. I have not seen one go well in over seven years of witnessing these events. As a police department, we would provide an escort for the rides, but after repeated instances of the ride not staying on its plotted course and one year's ride turning into an all out protest that closed city streets for hours, we now ignore them and realize that the less attention we give them the smaller their rides become. Last year five people showed up for the CM ride......real impressive. Needless to say it was the best year we had with the CM ride, even though one rider was nearly beaten by an irrate motorist after he would not get out of traffic. I don't think the original CM organizers had this in mind when these rides began. I understand the message that CM is trying to get across, but I think there are better ways of going about it than letting a bunch of burned out hippies and anarchists pedal around on their bikes chanting about how cars suck. I just don't get it.

So where did the name come from while I am asking dumb questions...

Oh yes...I remember the times CM stopped traffic in SF (fortunately I commuted on a motorcycle, but even on two wheels it took all of about 2 min. for them to send me into road rage hell). Preventing people from getting home on a Fri. afternoon did not quite seems to be a great way of obtaining the opposite of support from fellow humans who commute in cars.

Anyone who wants support from motorists should put a sign on the back of their bike/jersey/bag that simply reads: One Less Car.

Dude that is hilarious and an intense ride. Sounds like something I would have done 2-3 year ago (had a not been a huge lardass)...