I participated in Critical Mass this evening: a bike ride where approximately 1,800 people take over the city streets. It was a lot of fun, with a great sense of community and wonderful, safe views of the city. It's the only way to see the city by bicycle in total confidence, and without polluting.
Some drivers were inconvenienced, and often lost their tempers because cars were blocked from the street. However, the street was actually being used more by the bicyclists than it was by cars, as the actual human density and throughput was much higher. There is the conception that the road belongs to cars – something that you'll never see in statute, but you certainly notice when you're riding in traffic next to a stressed-out yuppie drinking coffee and talking on his cell phone when he suddenly decides to take a blind right turn, or when you get forced off the road by a twit in a wide-body pickup truck.
Louie rode in the basket in front of me. He was adored by all that noticed him (he's awfully small). Adolfo didn't join me this time, but says he wants to come along next time. He took the picture and video from our balcony as we rode by. The crowd was interesting: freaks and geeks, students and professionals, bike nerds, unicyclists, dope fiends, earth-firsters, ecofeminists, anti-globalization weenies, dreadlocked redheads, and the occasional granny, adolescent, and urban planner.
The police keep their distance, and the only time I saw them was when we had stopped for our victory rally at the middle of the Lions' Gate Bridge. A young man shimmied up one of the cables and hung one-handed from a metal spar, and then climbed back down. The fuzz talked to him briefly. There is no central organization to a Critical Mass event, and everybody takes turn "corking" (blocking intersections) and helping with breakdowns, defusing altercations, and clearing the way for emergency vehicles. It's one of the most interesting social movements that I've come in contact with, and I hope it lives up to its name some day with a critical mass of cyclists on the roads to take back our cities from the plague of automobiles.
1 comment:
Honey I am so proud of you! I saw the event from a distance, and yes, it was sooo cool! I do differ a little bit about 'bicyclist taking the roads' There are people who live far away for different reasons/needs and also there are people who are not physically capable of riding a bike (age and/or health problems) HOWEVER, I do think bicycling is an excellent culture to promote for many reasons- it is good for your health and it is good for the environment. Hopefully more Critical Masses will come and reach its objective; to make an statement. To me it is a way to tell the government "WE NEED BIKE LINES ON ALL THE STREETS" I assume that is the ultimate goal, and I think that is what you mean. That is why I decided to participate next time. So we can actually share the roads with motorists. It will be a wonderful thing to happen. It won't happen if everyone doesn't participate, so once again I do agree with you on that roads are not ONLY for motorists. Everyone pays the same taxes, so it should be fare to respect everyone's choices of living. It will also contribute to keep up with a healthy Vancouver's wonderful life style that it is known for. Good for you to participate in what you strongly believe and taking action. I am right there with u. I love you!
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