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Hysteria reaches Critical Mass in Vancouver ahead of 2010 Olympics

July 31, 2009

2:20 PM

Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson (right) participates in a past Critical Mass bike ride.

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.

Comment (54)

Comments

cardeo

Fri, 2009-07-31 13:38

if this is olympics related, you are right, they have way bigger traffic issues to worry about. Anytime a car breaks down on the lions gate bridge traffic grinds to a halt in North Vancouver. Might wanna think of a back up plan for that one guys.

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?

Chris Slater

Fri, 2009-07-31 13:42

I think everyone in their cars needs to chill. You know it's going to happen the same time each month. Plan for it. Don't drive downtown that day.

"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.

Fri, 2009-07-31 13:52

Does anyone participate in this event in the winter? I've only noticed the disruption in the summer, when more participants take part.

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.

first time caller
Fri, 2009-07-31 13:56	This is one of the busiest weekends of the year and all day long media has been telling us all to avoid Downtown because of CM. We were going to attend the Pride block party tonight, but I guess we'll just keep our money and stay home to avoid getting stuck on a bridge.

Chris Slater
Fri, 2009-07-31 14:03	Hey First Time Caller, 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.

Donald
Fri, 2009-07-31 14:08	It's not so much you guys disrupt the drivers, you guys also disrupt the pedstrians and transit riders.

Chris Slater
Fri, 2009-07-31 14:19	Donald, So do big construction projects that take out a section of the road and the sidewalk.

Mike a driver
Fri, 2009-07-31 14:32	I agree with the police. They cause nothing but problems. The only thing they are doing is making people mad at cyclists. How is that going to further their cause? Who cares if it is about the Olympics or not. The police should get involved and start handing out tickets to these inconsiderate cyclists.

sassion

Fri, 2009-07-31 14:34

not sure if it was a 2010 Games thing, or rather a heat wave has motorists hot and fuming and impatient & critical mass won't help out by using a route that would be publicised to ensure drivers are not trapped in sweltering temperatures waiting as they pass. Police & Mayor/council were probably and I'll add justifyable worried that under these circumstances with motorists already so stressed and over heated Critical mass may have insighted violence and possibly a riot! Not everything is about 2010!

Have some common sense people!

Paul D

Fri, 2009-07-31 14:41

Critical Mass has next to nothing to do the sometimes messy, sometimes mundane business of promoting cycling as a means of transportation, recreation or sport. It has everything to do with a bunch of urban hipsters looking for a way to cock a snoot at authority and the middle-class while whipping through the city acting like morons.
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.

Paul D
Fri, 2009-07-31 15:03	Hey Chris Slater, 3 out the 7 comments are yours so far. I am glad to see a Georgia Straight writer using the comments section to fight their own polifical battles. Well-played. You're obviously auditioning for a move to The Province with your own spin on their signature snippy editor's comments style.

Severin
Fri, 2009-07-31 15:03	Yeah, but the construction actually accomplishes something.

Oph

Fri, 2009-07-31 15:04

Chris,

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?

Fri, 2009-07-31 15:06

I have had members of this nasty event behave aggressively towards me while trying to cross, at a green light, on foot. I'm a pedestrian and a bus user, and this aggressive group has targeted me. I don't get it, I'm so nice to people, yet mean gangs of angry cyclists are out to get me. How cruel they can be!

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.

inconsiderate

Fri, 2009-07-31 15:28

Perhaps the main difference between the fireworks/sporting events and Critical Mass is that the former is there to watch an event, and thus large crowds form, while the latter intends to disrupt traffic just because they can! These thousands of bikers are simply inconsiderate.

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!

BlissfulGirl
Fri, 2009-07-31 15:35	Umm Chris Slater big construction projects are stationary and we know where they are when they are happening so we can avoid them if we choose. Critical Mass does not have a predetermined route and so pedestrians and transit can't just avoid it.

Yume

Fri, 2009-07-31 15:36

Critical mass is annoying for pedestrians, not just cars. I waited at the corner for 20 minutes (with DOZENS of other annoyed people) as they passed, and ended up being late for an appointment, one woman was hit by some cyclists as she got impatient and darted across (also causing some cyclists to hit eachother). I can understand their thinking, but it really would be better if it was at a pre-determined time and place. And the mayor should be fined for riding without a helmet!

Chris Slater
Fri, 2009-07-31 15:36	Hey Paul D, 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.

Peddy
Fri, 2009-07-31 15:50	Seriously, you dinks don't STOP at red lights or crosswalks, so those of us who happen to be more environmentally responsible (my legs took less energy consumption to build than your bike) have to suffer through this BS as well. Ridiculous. This is protest for the sake of protest - not for anything that's going to change the world! Grow up.

Tom Sugar
Fri, 2009-07-31 15:57	those uppity bike riders should know their place!

Joe B

Fri, 2009-07-31 16:27

So,
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

daniel

Fri, 2009-07-31 16:42

if people want to be shit disturbers then they should own that status, not cover it in a veil of purposed civil disobedience. im not down with critical mass, but i might be more interested in it if the promoters acknowledged it for what it was, strength in numbers utilized to ride around, create traffic jams, smoke and drink on a warm summer night sounds fun actually. but when people try to turn it in to some kind of noble quest to raise environmental awareness and curb transportation issues?!?! gimme a break. the amount of drivers who are stuck idling for twenty minutes while you make the most sensationalized "example" of yourselves probably create as much carbon emissions to negate any evironmentally positive effect your cycling has in one year.
if this is truly an altruistic event then it should be considered in a more thorough manner .

Erik Circus

Fri, 2009-07-31 16:45

The sudden piling on by the police, City Hall and the local *cough* media shows this to be a VANOC orchestrated campaign to sanitize the streets and guarantee maximum profit returns (their corporate mandate) for their publicly subsidized fete. This is quite simply another abrogation of our rights as citizens to orderly civil protest. That IS the heart of a democratically run society. Running after every protester to incarcerate him/her and prevent protest is a fascist tactic, in the very literal sense of the term. Lighten up, Establishment tools. The ride lasts for approximately 3 hours once every 30 days, roughly 1 per cent of the hours in a month. Surely to Mike you can chill out and entertain the notion that dissent is healthy and oppression is unhealthy for the extra 15 minutes you personally may be inconvenienced in any given month. Be generous or go home.

Militant Cyclist

Fri, 2009-07-31 17:03

I have been a cycle commuter for as long as I can remember in various countries. I have had run ins with car drivers who think I'm in the way just because I'm on a bike. I've been forced off the road by car and bus drivers who don't think I deserve a place on the road. I think the world would be a better place if everyone rode a bike. I think the Burrard Bridge bike lanes are exactly the type of thing cities need to be doing as part of a long term solution for congestion and pollution.

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.

jed
Fri, 2009-07-31 17:07	joe b thats has to be the worst argumnet ever.

montyvan
Fri, 2009-07-31 17:34	Thank you for posting that photo of Gregor Robertson riding his bike while not wearing a helmet. Not only that, he doesn't have either hand on the handlebars while looking off to the side. He's the perfect law-breaking, reckless role-model for Critical Mass. Why isn't he riding with them again?? Oh right, he got elected, he doesn't need them anymore.

Fri, 2009-07-31 19:10

Has the writer of this article actually WATCHED this bike ride?? Apparantly not. Its made up of primarily militant students and assorted louts looking to cause as much trouble and bring Vancouver downtown to a complete standstill. In what way does this further the cause of cyclists in this City in ANY way??
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.

Michael Castanaveras

Fri, 2009-07-31 20:24

This posted news item has generated the most comments and votes that I've ever seen from a straight.com article, particularly from anti-cyclists. Goes to show, people have way too much ego invested in their cars.

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.

Fri, 2009-07-31 20:34

I think I would have agreed with the majority of comments here until I took the leap and participated today. The majority of participants were regular vancouverites of all ages and everyone was overwhelmingly positive. Surprisingly the motorists were mostly positive too, and bikers were giving hi-fives to the occasional motorist sitting in traffic. At the apex of the bridges some of the bikers stopped and held there bikes above their heads in triumph, which made me cringe, and some other yahoos were jumping in and out of oncoming traffic lanes. I find it very difficult to believe that a group of bikers lynched a pedestrian as AI commented, sounds like a troll to me.

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.

Glenn

Fri, 2009-07-31 20:41

Perhaps the organizers and participants should really be showing how such a large group of riders could ride without disrupting traffic.

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

www.intergon.net/tsw
Fri, 2009-07-31 20:48	The collective of cars is a crisis that has to be dealt with.

capt. crunch
Fri, 2009-07-31 21:07	If the ride pisses you off then it's done it's job to bring attention to bikes having a legit reason to be on the streets. 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.

Cyclone
Fri, 2009-07-31 22:34	Anarchy by losers.... pure and simple.... end of story

Get Some Class & Etiquette

Fri, 2009-07-31 23:11

Why do the CM cyclists assume they have the right to disrupt people's lives, just for the hell of it? Why do they assume that they have the right to disregard traffic lights, cars & pedestrians like DTES skids? The world will change eventually because oil is becoming more scarce anyway. The Green [Fascist] Movement [founded by Sir Julian Huxley who also was a proponent of Eugenics -- scientific racism] is stronger than ever because the Americans are out of oil and they do not want to be at the mercy of Canadians & other foreigners. If they don't have oil, then no one should be able to utilize it! The earth has been around for millions of years, it will be around or millions more. What makes you think that humans will be the dominant species a million years from now? The earth will change regardless of what we do. Canada could completely disappear & it wouldn't do anything for Global Warming. While we are on earth, we should be abiding by societal norms and doing our best to promote etiquette. Let's become class acts.

Leave the CM alone

Fri, 2009-07-31 23:16

Leave the CM alone. Don't you know they have nothing better to do? And the CM rally is the most important thing that will happen for them that month. If you take away that, they will have no life. They already live life without being able to influence anything -- even their own lives. Next time you are in your car stuck in traffic, pity them rather than getting angry at them for disrupting your schedule. Call your family or friends & tell them you will be late.

born here

Fri, 2009-07-31 23:27

Anyone who thinks they are "normal" and participates is giving legitimacy to a bunch of idiots and therefore have lowered themselves to being nothing better than a public nuisance. I think cycling is great but I also think that screwing up traffic with the pretense of promoting cycling over driving is a joke. Can my 79 yr old mother with osteo and bad knees who has to go to the doctor bike there in Vancouver on a rainy day? or on any day? Can someone who has to leave work and get 10 miles away in non-flat and usually wet Vancouver in 1/2 hr to pick up their kids with bags or gear in tow make it on a bike there and home without being some sort of extreme athlete? Get real and get over yourselves. Be considerate or get your bike off the road. Cars are a necessary and useful invention. Biking is a luxury.

MrZ
Sat, 2009-08-01 00:07	You gotta love how the media is all over this story after ten years of completely ignoring it. All of sudden every talk show in the city is off on some populist rant and every newspaper has a front page editorial spoken with one voice. Is there any doubt that the media is totally controlled?

ec
Sat, 2009-08-01 02:24	I've never seen so many votes on this site, amazing.

Sat, 2009-08-01 08:07

once again we have shown that we as a society could not run a booze up at a beer store if the beer was free. Bikes have a right to use the road, they (the bikers) when using the roads have a responsibility to follow the rules of the road. This CM bullshit is nothing more than a bunch of idiots who forgot or choose to disregard the responsibility half of the the rights equation. To make it worse our political leaders do not seem to have the balls to enforce the laws they have written, or at least direct the police to. There is a place for bikes on most roads (some roads may be challenging) and as long as they are playing by the same rules as cars, motorcycles, and even pedestrians are no more of a problem than anything else, it seems that they are (not all fit this description) nothing more than a bunch of spoiled brats that should be put over someones knee and be the recipient of a transfer of knowledge (I had to say that because in our polictally correct society I would likely be jailed for suggesting they get their ass paddled , which was the old system of imparting knowlege when reason did not work) If this continues until 2010, it will be interesting to see if they actually go out in force during the olympics, and if they do how will our political masters react.

rin

Sat, 2009-08-01 08:55

Okay, so cars get the WHOLE DAMNED CITY the rest of the month, and cyclists get hurt and killed all the time. For four hours on a Friday afternoon once a month, those of us who aren't changing the climate want to ride in the kind of safety and security that drivers get every single day, and we get lambasted for it. Drivers don't try to get other drivers ticketed or arrested in a traffic jam of cars, so why is it different in a traffic jam of bikes? Just because you drive a car does NOT mean you're entitled to get your way every goddamned second. You get the whole road the whole rest of the time. Give us ten minutes of your precious time to feel safe, for once.

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.

Noah Vail
Sat, 2009-08-01 10:44	As cynical as I am about Critical Mass and the militant cyclists' agenda (riding a bike used to be fun; now it's a grim mission to save the planet), I must say I like that pic of the mayor. He really made the most of that photo op: relaxed, cool, having a playful bike ride; my kinda guy. But don't worry; I don't vote.

Canadada
Sat, 2009-08-01 10:58	ec, that's because some of the conservatives are obviously multi-voting to get the comments they agree with into the hundreds. pathetic, really.

Goldorak
Sat, 2009-08-01 11:01	800 clowns on a city of 1.5 million... but since they claim to be Green, the media, the police, the law fall back and let these clowns disturb everyone, from pedestrians to legit drivers. Enough eco totalitarism!

Adam74
Sat, 2009-08-01 18:05	Just about the new bicycle line on Burrard. Can bicycles use the main line? Of course they can. Can cars use the new bike line? Of course they do not. Is it a persecution?...

djy
Mon, 2009-08-03 09:50	There was a helmet law in Vancouver when I lived there eight years ago - I cannot imagine that it was repealed. Seems pretty irresponsible for the mayor (who I take to be the helmetless rider also riding no hands - also illegal) to partake in critical mass in such a manner.

Dan
Tue, 2009-08-04 03:44	Yeah, this year the mass media seems intent on trying to generate some "fake" conflict between drivers and cyclists. The media was broadcasting it all day like it was some epic event. The major media has become desperate...

Lewis
Tue, 2009-08-04 10:31	Typically about 100 people ride the February Critical Mass, causing insignificant traffic disruption. Of course only about 100 people would know this fact. Mike Cantelon and other interested parties ought to be informed so that they can focus on real potential problems.

joeqpube

Wed, 2009-08-05 21:32

First off - there are no leaders and no spokespeople for the CM

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] !!!

Just the Facts

Thu, 2009-08-06 08:23

JUST THE FACTS: Cars may be convenient, but car users as a group are killers. They kill through pollution when they have cars manufactured and when they are driven. During the last 100 years car drivers have straight out killed 'by accident' more people than all the wars during the same period. World wide they kill 500,000 people every year. And, for ever person they kill they seriously maim 3 more, that's 1.5 million per year. If you find that acceptable I suggest your mind has been successfully colonized by the single biggest public relations and advertising campaign in history. Fully 1/3 of advertising and PR revenue is generated by the automobile industry. And you think CM is the problem? Have another drink or drug to enhance your enjoyment of majority rights.

Chris Van Ihinger

Thu, 2009-08-06 17:35

We hear plenty of complaints about cyclists blocking intersections and bridges during the Critical Mass. This occurs once per month and the delay at any given intersection is measured in minutes. In the meantime, every single weekday a considerably larger critical mass – this time made up of motor vehicles – blocks my access to downtown Vancouver. Morning and afternoon, what is normally a twelve minute car ride from my home to my office gets stretched to forty minutes – or longer – by all those snoburbanites in their own cars clogging up all of the arteries into the city.

Every Single Weekday.

So I ride a bike.

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