Rocket^ said:
My problem for which I do not have a solution is, how do we organize everyone? Once we have everyone, how do we keep enough order to identify and tackle the problems as a group. Large groups of people have a lot of power to make changes. The problem is in the organization of the group. The members have to be focused and fighting for the same issues in order to be effective.
I really wonder if the large scale effort needs to be organized in a traditional way... Sometimes organizations are ignored more easily than crowds.
I remember a few years back, in DC there was the "Million Man March." As I recall there were significantly fewer than a million men there, but that year I heard much more about the march than I did about highly organized groups like NAACP etc... who probably have more members and are definitely more organized.
Perhaps we should pick a day next year, during May (cycling month) and converge on Washington for the "Million Wheel Ride" and let our voices be heard... sure, some voicing their opinions will disagree with one another, but the only unifying message needed is "Cycling Matters" which is something I think that we can all agree on.
Whether or not the million man march was successful or not, I don't know. But one thing is certain, they were noticed.
Do you think that Lance Armstrong or Greg Lemond would be willing to speak? How about Sheldon Brown or the heads of some existing cycling advocacy groups or bicycle companies?
If it happens, I will be there with my bike, plus 2 or 3 others to be given to anyone who doesn't want to transport their bikes to the event... with the stipulation that they donate them to a worthy organization afterward.
In my mind, I would avoid it if it is a critical mass type ride (too much negativity associated with CM already), but would find a way to be there if it is a gathering to make sure our voices are heard in a productive way.