When I was first making my way into what I now know as the Salt Lake bike scene, making friends and acquiring usable knowledge about bicycles, Critical Mass was a very important (if not indispensable) part of my introduction and progression in something that has come to be my favorite past-time. The monthly ride would attract me without fail, along with forty or fifty other riders. We would also chat and discuss bike repair, bike building, infrastructure, laws, and common occurrences that upset us or concerned us as cyclists. It was a constant reminder that others ride, and have the same concerns as I do, and as many of us do.
So what has happened? Why is 'now' so much different from 'then'? I know that many more people are riding and enjoying it and doing it on a regular basis, so wouldn't attendance at publicly recognized bike events like Critical Mass also grow consistently with it?
I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on this matter, and I'll begin with my own. The question that begs to be asked is,
Have we moved beyond Critical Mass in Salt Lake City?
I acknowledge and celebrate the fact that it was a great time had by all and perhaps some social change was effected in that we were visible and very real to the people with whom we interacted. I see people obeying traffic laws, riding to work, riding to the store, crowding previously empty racks on campuses, so is Critical Mass even necessary anymore?
Yes and no.
Yes, socially; and no, practically. Socially, Critical Mass is what brought me into the cycling scene, what introduced me to Davey, SaltCycle, Zed, freak bikes, Chetti, alleycats, riding in the city, the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee, self-reliance through the bicycle, and an interest (and future career) in urban planning. Without Critical Mass, it may be that I would never have had an introduction to these people and organizations. Without Critical Mass, maybe I wouldn't have been brave enough to obey the laws as they are written. (Note: Though some laws are disobeyed willfully, like running a stoplight, some are disobeyed because of fear - like not riding in the center of lane when there is not enough room to ride on the shoulder. Critical Mass and the new friend I made there taught me to obey even in the face of fear.)
No, practically, because perhaps we have a strength (albeit, little) in numbers that is informing people around the city in a much less intrusive and annoying way. I submit that the simple fact that people are on the road everywhere in the city is more powerful than one, monthly group ride through crowded downtown streets. Heck, half the time, Critical Massers weren't even obeying the laws that the group was trying to establish as necessary for the safety of all roadway users.
Do we have enough strength now, alone, to be more powerful than Critical Mass? Or is a revival in Salt Lake City needed? Please voice your opinion below. Comment settings have now been changed so that anyone can comment on any post on the blog. If you're reading this, we as well as your fellow readers, would like to know what you think. You may comment anonymously as well. We'd love to hear from you.
Great to have this out there! I think I agree with all your thoughts: I lament the loss of a community ride that anyone can come to but think that 'cyclists advocating for their rights en masse by taking back the streets' is a little cart-before-the-horse-y, as we have pretty good rights and the best way to improve now really is to get more butts on bikes and better infrastructure. I stopped attending mass because I don't think it achieved those goals, more often it ceded to mob mentality and people turned into caricatures of angry cyclists and motorists. I still like a good group ride, but ones united around fun and sociability (even towards drivers!) so everyone leaves feeling better and more connected with other humans, instead of divided.
ReplyDeleteDavey, how do we do this and get a better turnout than we got years ago at Critical Mass? What kind of ride would attract that many people or more?
ReplyDeleteThemed rides FTW. Zed's Talk like a pirate day ride is inspired. stuff like that that builds camaraderie and fosters creativity. People LOVE to see 50 crazy people having fun and makin' fun of stuff on bikes much more than they like to see 50 people that they perceive to be inconveniencing them and self-righteous.
ReplyDeleteI think we've moved beyond CM; I think we moved beyond it eight years ago when I stopped going. And I think we've moved beyond themed group rides. And Zed. I think that's because we don't have a bike culture: we have people who live on bikes, in all their diversity. It's fragmented the hell out of the close-knit group who used to participate in Critical Mass, but in a good way. They've all gone on to different things, but mostly related to the issues CM brought up. Those who were frustrated at the pace of our change have left, those who advocated for better infrastructure became advocates, those in it for sport chose sport. I stopped because, as a board member of the collective, I didn't feel comfortable parading out in confrontational assembly every month while trying to establish cycling legitimacy day to day.
ReplyDeleteI think that you, and others, may have moved beyond CM. CM and other direct action movements are important means for those who are new, young, outraged (usually legitimately), when the environment is oppressive, etc. These institutions are especially important in times of crisis, for instance, bicycle/vehicle homicide, as they provide an established means through which to plot a response.
ReplyDeleteYou may not need it now, but you'll be glad that this energy has a forum if and when you do find the conventional response routes blocked/disinterested.
Also, as you point out, it is a great way to meet cyclists.
Much like Fixed Gear I quit CM years ago. CM became little besides a fashion show for the trendy/fixie/hipster. I remember the day I quit a hobo had joined. His bicycle was loaded down with bags etc. and one of the trendy/fixie/hipsters rode over and yelled, "get out of here! This isn't for you." I thought, "it isn't for me either," and I left. I've never been back and I was hardcore for at least a decade prior. I also credit Zac/Corey with ruining CM. It used to be boisterous and joyful. Zed?Corey showed up and the only noise was from the silly ipod. We blocked streets, we shut down traffic, people were arrested. Now and eight or more years ago CM became boring, quite and a fashion statement. It's over!
ReplyDeleteLast anonymous, you're being a little reductive and ridiculous in attributing the downhill stuff to Zed alone, all Critical Masses all around the world are prone to degenerating into the situation you describe. I strongly reject the simple portrait you paint, though I agree that mass leaves a ton to be desired. Also, you failed in being a positive influence on a communal situation by not standing up when someone rejected the hobo with the bags. It's your ride too, so if you see something fucked up and you remain silent, well, that's kind of your problem.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this. I also live and ride regularly in Salt Lake City. This is definitely something I've been pondering myself over the last few years. I think you're right that something more effective than Critical Mass has potential to happen. I also think as more people do take to the streets with their bicycles, it's becoming more accepted as a social norm.
ReplyDeletePerhaps what needs to happen however, is a little more coordination and creativity. Frankly, I think bicyclists need to work together to assert their priority in the streets over cars. The principle should be, a person who powers his or her self - without needing help from polluting fossil fuels - ought to lawfully get more privileges. I believe some cities like Portland have already empowered bicyclists this way, with "First-Class," green-painted "bike boxes" at intersections.
Anyway, I call for a revival of something like Critical Mass. But it ought to be something more powerful. And it needs to be more consistent, and deliberate.
Folks, Critical Mass is usually about getting the government to recognize that bicycles are traffic. I hate to tell you, but the government is generally ahead of the bicyclists here in Salt Lake City. The politicians here are sticking their necks out for bicycling, and sometimes they are HEARING it from the motorists who don't like this!
ReplyDeleteSLC Bicyclists need to get organized, but CM is not the way to positive change. Try telling the Mayor (mayor@slcgov.com) that you like the bikeway improvements, and your city council member, too.