Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson (right) participates in a past Critical Mass bike ride.
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PrintHysteria reaches Critical Mass in Vancouver ahead of 2010 Olympics
Critical Mass has been going on in Vancouver for a long time. As a political tool promoting the agenda of cyclists, there's debate about whether it's effective. But over the years the event has remained the same: cyclists meet each month at a certain date and time, then go on ride without a predetermined route.
Things haven't changed, yet this week the establishment began demanding that Critical Mass follow a predetermined route and, because their demands haven't been met, this month's Critical Mass is being treated in both of Vancouver's daily papers as a crisis that must be dealt with—a "critical mass of civil disobedience" in the words of the Vancouver Police Department's Rick McKenna.
There are many large events in Vancouver that disrupt traffic: the Celebration of Lights, sporting events, etc. So why is an event that has happened every month for more than a decade now being portrayed as an impending crisis? Why is Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson suddenly "pissed off" that Critical Mass won't deviate from the model used by hundreds of other similar rides in the world?
The answer is fairly obvious. Critical Mass occurs on the last Friday of every month. In February 2010 it will occur on the 26th, two days before the closing date of the Olympics on February 28. This is likely why there's a sudden change of attitude on the part of local powers-that-be.
If the concern about Critical Mass is related to the 2010 Olympics, then why aren't the media and Robertson being up front about it? Why isn't this part of their argument?
Those arguing against Critical Mass are trying to push the notion that the event disrupts others and deprives them of their rights. If they admitted that their true concern with Critical Mass is related to the 2010 Olympics, they'd have to give up this argument because the disruption created by the 2010 Olympics will, in comparison, dwarf disruption related to Critical Mass.
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This also strikes me as an another effort by the powers that be to continue Vancouver's reputation as a no-fun-city. Mike makes another good point that the critical mass ride goes on all over the world, in this format, with no problems. Why does Vancouver suck so hard when it comes to trying to have a little fun?
"Well... *sputter* *outrage* why should I?!?" The same reason that you have to when you know there's going to be a parade or some other event that's going to mess up your driving route.
As for during the Olympics. I say bring on the Critical Mass. It's going to be a big party anyways, a couple of hours with wacky bikers biking by will be even more fun!
Not everything needs to be controlled and planned to the finest detail, Mayor Robertson. Let us show the world that we're a city that can roll with it.
This event is just a nasty way for nasty people to be nasty to innocent hard-working Vancouverites who just want to get home to their families after a hard week of work. I can't imagine acting so selfishly towards others. Saddens me to think that these bitter, angry individuals would want to organize a group together for the sole purpose of making other people's day worse. It's just too bad. They should be ticketed.
Why don't you park your car at a Skytrain station and take that downtown?
You probably would have missed the party anyways trying to find parking on a Friday night on one of the busiest weekends of the year.
So do big construction projects that take out a section of the road and the sidewalk.
Have some common sense people!
One day, most of these temporary cyclists will move to Point Grey or buy their condos in Port Moody and will buy their Hybrids leaving cycling poorer and worse-off for having negatively impressed many thousands of basically cycling-sympathetic residents, bystanders and drivers.
I am going to ride my bike today, as far as possible away from the self-centred Critical Massholes who are out to do little more than party and make a nuisance of themselves.
Skytrain stops running earlier than any party end or club or bar closes up... so even though it seems like a good idea to get there... How do you get home after?
As for construction, at least the construction disruptions have the pay off in new infrastructure or facilities, the interruption is tolerable because of the reward. There is no reward for being disrupted by a bunch of people riding aimlessly around town.
Finally...
Why can't we fine the folks in this picture who are not wearing helmets while riding? I thought that was a law?
The only purpose of this event is to hurt others - there are millions of other ways to celebrate cycling that are not designed to hurt others.
There's no comparison with this event and construction projects, they are apples and oranges. Essentially, you're saying you want our roads, sewers, and water mains to deteriorate from a lack of maintenance. Awesome!
Critical Mass does not have a predetermined route and so pedestrians and transit can't just avoid it.
I've never participated in a Critical Mass in the past. I don't have a stake in it. I've watched it drive by, just like a parade. No political agenda from me. Just trying to offer my 2 cents.
all a person or group of persons has to do is give a name to their lawbreaking activity, and that makes it OK?
so, if we think that "Critical Mass" lawbreaking is OK, then it is also OK to have "SPEEDSTERS ANONYMOUS" group of cars racing in city streets at 200kph once a month
and
so, if we think that "Critical Mass" lawbreaking is OK, then it is also OK to have "THIRSTY DRINKERS" group of people drinking thousands of cans of beer in city streets and throwing the cans in the streets once a month
and
so, if we think that "Critical Mass" lawbreaking is OK, then it is also OK to have "TEAM ABUSERS" group engaging in their favourite lawbreaking acts attacking men, women and children in city streets once a month
if this is truly an altruistic event then it should be considered in a more thorough manner .
BUT... I think that Critical Mass is a meaningless and deliberately annoying event that does more harm for cycling advocacy than it does good. Get organized, share the route in advance, make it less antagonistic and more of a real celebration of cycling. Vancouver has a great cycling culture and history. Don't ruin it for everyone by being dicks.
I do not even own a car but am sickened at what this demonstration has become. I personally witnessed a group of bikers at last month's critical mass - throw a pedestrian to the ground as one of the bikers leapt off his bike and began to punch this poor man. The man's crime? He asked them to move to let him cross the road! The police were no where in sight and these CRIMINAL bikers got away scot free.
They should ALL be thrown in jail, every one of these riders that breaks the law.
So, perhaps get your facts straight next time before writing such articles.
Sincerely, a Vancouver resident and pedestrian.
If Vancouver cyclists ever achieve some sort of critical mass, perhaps 10% of all commutes, then there wold be no need for the CM monthly ride. Only marginalized groups need to show strength in numbers. Once the Pride Parade got enough turn out the parade became a hit. But if it was moved out to Surrey next year, where GLTs have no critical mass, it would cause rioting.
I don't think the newspaper headlines are due to some backroom Olympics cabal. They're just taking advantage of the anti-cyclist sentiment to sell papers. Unfortunately, the papers and other mainstream media are able to label the CM ride as a "PROTEST" because there are no Critical Mass spokespeople to set the record straight. There is no organization behind CM!! It's just a bunch of people showing up to have fun on bikes!
I've never attended, because it just pisses too many people off. I get the anarchistic fun element of a random ride, but obviously it's currently impacting motorists, transit-riders, and even pedestrians. You can cross a parade, but my pregnant partner could not cross the CM ride in the sweltering heat.
My hope is that the cops give some fair warning that they're going to shut the ride down if no one steps up to organize a planned route. I know there are people within the CM ride that have the capacity to plan and execute a route. I'd join in a planned route ride in a heartbeat, because I like to cycle and I think it's a fair compromise to give cycling in Van the chance it deserves.
On thing people dont realise on this forum is why the majority of people go in these rides, and I think understanding why is important. Truth is it is really fun, as much fun as it is being in any parade.
Why take out their frustratiions?
Perhaps because far too many of these people have the attitude that all motorists could just abandon their vehicles and ridge bikes or the public transit.
The really need to get real and slowly integrate bicycles into the transit system. starting with obeying traffic laws like motorists are required to do.
Far too many of them are very arrogrant and hostile as they share the road with the owners of other types of transportation ( car drivers, truckers, and motor cyclists. They shouldn't be
If you don't like it, then shut your piehole and get on a bike.
What a bunch of whiners people in this area are.
Is there any doubt that the media is totally controlled?
And yes, the point of CM, at least for me, is to disrupt things. Disrupt people talking on their cell phones while driving way too fast, transacting the business of destroying the planet. Wars are being fought for oil right now so that you can drive your car. Wars! People dying! Depleted uranium in children's drinking water! And you're pissing and moaning because your fucking commute will take you ten minutes longer of sitting in air conditioned comfort? Gee, sorry princess. Didn't know your life was so hard.
But don't worry; I don't vote.
that's because some of the conservatives are obviously multi-voting to get the comments they agree with into the hundreds. pathetic, really.
The major media has become desperate...
Secondly - an organised route would allow those with "bad intent" to wreck the CM, no one person leads the group.
Thirdly - it is too dangerous to split up 3000 cyclists in to separate groups due to the need to stop at traffic lights. As long as the CM runs as a mass it will pass more quickly than 5 or 6 separated groups.
Fourth - this is most certainly a plan by the 2010 VANOC to disrupt the Feb 2010 CM and like what has been said the CM will be mild in comparison to the disruptions caused by the Olympics [I attended 3 Olympics] !!!
Every Single Weekday.
So I ride a bike.
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