Critical Mass is Tonight
We’ve been reminded by several folks that July’s Critical Mass bicycle ride is tonight. The ride begins at North 9th and Madison Street – on the north side of Jefferson Park – at 6:00 pm. What is it? A bike ride. A bit of bicycle activism. Tacoma’s bicycle scene is finally growing and this ride seems to be part of that growth.
Personally, we simply like to ride our bikes for transportation, fun, and tend to skip the angst that occasionally comes with group rides. But, should it be your thing, Critical Mass is tonight.
Here’s a bit more at Moink.net
Filed under: biking-tacoma
10 comments
C CA July 31, 2009
Aren’t these the nuts who routinely corral and attack people in their cars?
A altered Chords July 31, 2009
I’m staying inside and praying they don’t invade my hood and beat up the gang members and crack dealers.
D dolly varden July 31, 2009
Critical Mass rides have a bad rap from the media. With a couple of incredibly well-publicized exceptions, they’re simply expressions of (not overly-angsty) solidarity among cyclists, who have a legitimate beef with the state of our bike infrastructure.
J Jim C July 31, 2009
And some good news for the cyclists: the city is repaving N 21st and it appears that the new striping will be for a bike lane instead of a second vehicle lane between Alder & Union… even though I never ride a bike for transport, I see this as a good thing for everyone. Does anyone know if the city plans to extend this configuration westward on 21st and if so, how far?
S Steven July 31, 2009
I have been an avid cyclist for many years. I am all for promoting cycling and educating the public. You get the same problem with these folks that you do on STP: Group Think. They can become a mob. This is from their web site: At Critical Mass, we can bike down the street safe from speeding cars–together–empowered by our numbers.
I love a good group ride. I won’t be on this one. I don’t think making drivers (which I am often) mad is the way to achieve safety. The driver they piss off today, is the driver that almost hits me tomorrow.
M Mike August 3, 2009
My wife and I did the ride, our first in Tacoma (we’ve done Seattle’s mass a lot). There was very little angst from the drivers and actually quite a few thumbs-up, cheers, and friendly honks. We ended the ride at the Parkway and even made a couple new friends. All in all, a great night. You (yes, you) should give it a try next month!
R rick August 3, 2009
What’s this? Jim C, who does not commute by bicycle, sees the value of a bike lane? And Steven, an avid cyclist, appreciates a driver’s perspective when a road is effectively shut down due to bicycle congestion? Hopefully there are others out there who appreciate the phrase, “share the road”. Well done, kids. Perhaps you two can do a point, counter point each week… kind of like Gail Collins and David Brooks at the new york times (you can fight over who has to be brooks). I digress… Critical mass does suffer from a bit of the sensational media coverage. That said, show me the driver who is MORE empathetic towards cyclists after being pinned in traffic for several minutes while the “mass” passes by.
D Dave August 5, 2009
A community group ride: good
“Corking” streets and mobbing peoples’ cars: bad
patna August 10, 2009
I am a former bike rider and am all for sharing the road with bicycles. If what I saw last friday represents the tactics of critical mass I am not a supporter of their methods. About dozen riders were riding in a bunch at a speed well below the limit on 6th avenue making passing difficult and potentially dangerous for vehicles wanting to use that arterial at its legal speed. Lets share the road not impede its use for others.
P Papasan August 13, 2009
If it weren’t for scofflaws like this, there would be no NEED for bike lanes. Bikes are a part of traffic. When they are treated as seperate, then people treat them like they don’t belong on the road if there isn’t a separate lane.
Bike lane on 21st frm Proctor to Pearl??? What about sidewalks first that have been promised since 1940’s??