Friday Afternoon Commute - Critical Mass Turns 20

I remember when Critical Mass started. Shortly thereafter someone organized a ride in Austin. It was a big deal on the local news and of course the cops cracked down on anyone who broke any law - which was pretty much anyone. I wanted to do that ride, but I think I to work that evening.

Cycling has come a long way since then, I remember there was very much a sense that bikes do not belong on the road- or if they did, not during rush hour when people were trying to get home from work. That sentiment has moved mostly into the margins. Bike commuting is way up. It's moved from weird to cool (although maybe still weird). While most people I know have mixed feelings about Critical Mass, I do think it did a lot to spark the bike advocacy movement at the time (and I once read an article where someone argued it helped get Clinton elected, but I think that is way overselling it). I'm not sure it's necessary anymore, but then it has become a lot less about confrontation and more about fun anyway. So happy birthday Critical Mass.

• A trio of 20-somethings are biking from San Francisco to Florida via San Diego to create a documentary exploring the safety hazards of biking in the United States and starting tomorrow the day after the 20th anniversary of Critical Mass."There's no reason that the U.S. can't have the kind of systems in place in the Netherlands or Denmark, where you're 30 times less likely to be hit by a car," says Baker. The Seattle paper wonders if there is anyone who doesn't hate Critical Mass. 
• Army Secretary John McHugh is recovering from his bicycle crash, which did not involve any motor vehicles. "McHugh was riding his bicycle on a Northern Virginia bike trail when he swerved to avoid a group of pedestrians. McHugh suffered a pelvic fracture that did not require surgery and is being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center." He was wearing a helmet. 
• Sequestration could delay the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail project. 

Comments

[Crikey7]

Whatever role CM once played--I did a couple out of curiosity--is now unnecessary. Biking has hit the real critical mass in DC as a viable transportation option for all.

[david]

There's no reason that the U.S. can't have the kind of systems in place in the Netherlands or Denmark

The lack of will to do so is the central reason the US is behind in not only this but many areas.

http://youtu.be/XuBdf9jYj7o?hd=1

Perhaps they just do not know any better. The people here are closed minded and belive that the US is the best place in the world as is. If you show them a problem they look at you like you caused it. After all they would never have had to face how bad it is if no one brings it up. The party who points out the problem gets labeled " a trouble maker".

http://youtu.be/59-roEQZWOY

[todd]

WHAT?! WHAAAT?! Have they no sense of decency? I need that portion of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail to get from Cap Hill to Franklins. Now they've gone too far.

[Jonathan Krall]

The world isn't going to change for the better unless some people are willing so push hard enough that they are labeled "trouble makers." As long as people are being killed at such a high rate ("30 times more likely"), Critical Mass, or its equivalent, is still needed.

I'm not saying that being one of the reasonable and law-abiding voices in the room isn't contributing--that role is very important and absolutely necessary for success. But without troublemakers to raise awareness and emotion, without someone getting in people's faces with the message that friends and family are being killed, without shaking bystanders out of their complacency, no one will be motivated to listen to the reasonable voices and make the challenging decisions to adjust the law, adjust enforcement regimes, and re-allocate space on the road.

Sometimes seems as if no one outside of "the choir" cares that all that killing tears at the fabric of our lives and our communities. On the other hand, political scientists are catching on that emotions can connect people across cultural divides much more effectively than logic. People can relate to sadness, anger or joy even if they don't otherwise understand why all of us "arrogant" cyclists insist on endangering everyone by getting in the way of the cars.

I don't think I'll drop my support for Critical Mass until mainstream Americans stop routinely telling me that I am "arrogant" simply because I like to ride my bicycle.