Critical Mass
Critical Mass collectively refers to events held on the last Friday of each month in various cities around the world wherein large groups of cyclists ride through the streets with the ostensible purpose of promoting awareness of bicyclists and their rights on the road.
What this usually means is a large group of cyclists breaking laws, blocking traffic, and generally being a nuisance. Understandably, this can result in altercations, the latest newsworthy one happening this past weekend in Seattle. The end results were some smashed up bikes, a severely vandalized car, and moderate injuries requiring medical attention. Accounts vary, but the general consensus is that a group of cyclists surrounded a car (a common practice to control traffic by blocking it with bikes and bodies) and the driver with his girlfriend in the car felt threatened enough to move the vehicle, striking some cyclists and instigating a mob around him.
Hearing about these events, the incidents, and the mentality behind it all really frustrates me. I log a few thousand miles a year on my bikes; more than half of these are spent commuting or doing longer rides on city streets. I'm a firm advocate of cyclists' rights, but I'm equally committed to the responsibilities of cyclists.
In more than ten years of riding in the city, I have experienced my share of inattention and rudeness from motorists and pedestrians. I've seen an equal or greater amount of similar behavior from other riders, though. Courtesy is a component of the respect which encourages people to acknowledge and act on the rights of others, and all of this is a two way street. The most telling example of someone failing to understand this happened a month ago on a ride, where a cyclist yelled at a motorist for failing to come to a complete stop, while at the same time running a stop sign himself.
I've seen videos of Critical Mass events, and it seems like a good time, with a party atmosphere and lots of bike riding. I can't complain about that at all. However, the mob mentality that is also present and that results in physically blocking anyone else from moving just reinforces negative perceptions of cyclists. It also promotes behavior that will result in injuries, irritation from people around, and generally acting like a jerk.
I'm all for raising awareness of cyclists on the streets, but this activity isn't a voice I want for myself, and I think it just sets back everyone else the rest of the time. Count me out.
