In aus.bicycle on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:49:49 GMT
PeteSig <
[email protected]> wrote:
>
> "Zebee Johnstone" wrote:
>>
>> Umm... cos they have taken a couple of simple ideas and made them the
>> core and totality of their religion, and refuse to see there can be
>> any other interpretation? And they think anyone who disagrees in any
>> way is evil and unclean and has nasty motives?
>
> Have you actually taken part in any Critical Mass rides?
>
> Because a fleeting glimpse from the roadside, or worse still, on the TV or
> via Laws/Jones/Mitchell's rantings is not a valid way to judge the
> behaviours and motivations of the diverse cyclists that take part in a
> Critical Mass.
So they say. And yet what is the outcome? What good does it do?
I won't take part *because* of the results. WHich I couldn't change
but would only reinforce.
> Some have extreme views and are very self-opinionated. Aren't we all at aone
> time or another? A lot of the errant behaviour actually gets weeded out by
> the more moderate approach of the long-term riders.
really? Then how come those who see it don't see that? What do the
moderates do, how can they change what the image is?
(and isn't it interesting that when there's trouble CM say "no one is
in control" but then people say there is control.... Peer pressure is
also known as the madness of crowds...)
>
> Lots of the cyclists on Critical Mass just want to be able to go ride their
> bikes, to work, shops and for fun, without being run off the road by
> motorists, with a greater level of respect and in a more supportive, less
> threatening environment. Don't you want that?
Oddly enough, I find the way to do that is ride. Every day. Not in
one big angry lump that only reinforces the idea that bikes are
dangerous singly and also that riders are selfish bastards.
Instead I ride sensibly on the road to work. And you know... I don't
get run off the road. I get about as many incidents as I get when
driving a car or riding a motorcycle.
But you know when I talk to people about CM do I get "oh, I should be
more careful of bicycles"? Like hell I do.
Instead I get told cyclists are immature selfish wankers who get all
this money spent on them and then clog up the roads.
If CM is about "ride their bikes [...] with a greater level of respect
in a more supportive less threatening environment" then it's failing.
because it doesn't generate respect. It is respectless and gets what
it gives.
You ask anyone who *isn't* a cyclist about CM. If they know it,
they'll dis it, if they don't and you tell them what happens, they'll
dis it. So, this helps how?
Now, Critical Manners,
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/14/MNGB6P8R1U1.DTL
they would be much better at generating the attitude you say CM wishes
to generate.
But it doesn't give the riders that feeling of power, and so wouldn't
get much support I expect.
Tell you what.... when Critical Mass runs a ride to the rules of
Critical Manners I'll join in. Cos it will be just like any of the
daily rides where I interact respectfully to other road users and they
return respect to me. It will make motorists re think when they see
this big bunch obeying rules, not caring about being split up,
smiling, and generating respect.
I do my bit for cyclists on the road every day I ride on the road.
every time I do the shopping, every time I go to work, every time I
say "thank you" to the people on the cycle path and wave to drivers
who give way, and move over when I can to let cars by me. I hope I
undo some of the damage CM does.
> Many Critical Mass riders also own and use a car at certain times too!
So? I haven't owned a car for 20 years. It isn't relevant. It isn't
about car vs bike. It is about respect and sensible road use. CM has
neither.
Zebee
