Comments on: Critical Massholes (or: Why I No Longer Ride with Critical Mass) http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/ Joey deVilla's Personal Blog Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:28:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Streaming Video Vancouver June 2008 Critical Mass | DoYVR.com - Do Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-14897 Streaming Video Vancouver June 2008 Critical Mass | DoYVR.com - Do Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:52:45 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-14897 [...] for cars not seeing you and running you over. Is this a form of civil disobedience or are we just Critical Massh*les? To be honest, I fluctuate between [...] [...] for cars not seeing you and running you over. Is this a form of civil disobedience or are we just Critical Massh*les? To be honest, I fluctuate between [...]

]]> By: » Critical Massholes Strike Again » The Adventures of Accordion Guy in the 21st Century : Joey deVilla’s Personal Blog http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-13472 » Critical Massholes Strike Again » The Adventures of Accordion Guy in the 21st Century : Joey deVilla’s Personal Blog Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:35:46 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-13472 [...] that it was a way of promoting bikes, but after a year of riding and playing accordion with them, I grew disillusioned with the whole thing. It seemed less like a way to promote cycling and more as an excuse to annoy people who had the [...] [...] that it was a way of promoting bikes, but after a year of riding and playing accordion with them, I grew disillusioned with the whole thing. It seemed less like a way to promote cycling and more as an excuse to annoy people who had the [...]

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8261 Anonymous Sun, 11 Mar 2007 20:19:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8261 I remember last spring when I first got my bike and moved to the Annex after hearing only good things about the Critical Mass events for so long, that I was really excited to attend. Unfortunately, I found that the behavior of some of the 'critical massholes' really confused me and made me wary. Illegally going through lights, not signalling, cutting off cars, GOING THE WRONG WAY on busy streets, (The same crimes that cyclists complain drivers are heinously guilty of doing) There were definite 'leaders' of the pack, and there was an especially tense altercation where one guy was attempting to block cars from turning on bay around college while a fleet of us flew through, (on a green thankfully) but the driver got infuriated and DROVE over the cyclist, knocking him off the bike (he wasnt hurt thankfully) and one of those cops just let the driver go. I understood what happened, but it was violent and there was no excuse for attempting to MAIM the cyclist and it really shocked me to see the strain between the cops and the group when the cop just let the driver go. I managed to get away from that group and have a good time with a few people when we hit the harbourfront because we were actively OBEYING laws and still having a good time without fear of harm. But when I got home and looked it up on the internet, I was saddened to discover it wasn't an isolated event. I haven't participated in any other Critical Masses and probably won't. It's a shame. I remember last spring when I first got my bike and moved to the Annex after hearing only good things about the Critical Mass events for so long, that I was really excited to attend.

Unfortunately, I found that the behavior of some of the ‘critical massholes’ really confused me and made me wary. Illegally going through lights, not signalling, cutting off cars, GOING THE WRONG WAY on busy streets, (The same crimes that cyclists complain drivers are heinously guilty of doing) There were definite ‘leaders’ of the pack, and there was an especially tense altercation where one guy was attempting to block cars from turning on bay around college while a fleet of us flew through, (on a green thankfully) but the driver got infuriated and DROVE over the cyclist, knocking him off the bike (he wasnt hurt thankfully) and one of those cops just let the driver go.

I understood what happened, but it was violent and there was no excuse for attempting to MAIM the cyclist and it really shocked me to see the strain between the cops and the group when the cop just let the driver go.

I managed to get away from that group and have a good time with a few people when we hit the harbourfront because we were actively OBEYING laws and still having a good time without fear of harm. But when I got home and looked it up on the internet, I was saddened to discover it wasn’t an isolated event. I haven’t participated in any other Critical Masses and probably won’t. It’s a shame.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8260 Anonymous Sat, 10 Mar 2007 01:43:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8260 I've had the same reaction to Critical Mass rides in Chapel Hill, NC and Berkeley, CA. They are about both asserting their "rights" and protesting oil usage. These rights amounted to ignoring all traffic laws, putting themselves and others in danger. The one ride I participated in was enough; I was practically ashamed to be in a group of people so obnoxious. I’ve had the same reaction to Critical Mass rides in Chapel Hill, NC and Berkeley, CA. They are about both asserting their “rights” and protesting oil usage. These rights amounted to ignoring all traffic laws, putting themselves and others in danger.
The one ride I participated in was enough; I was practically ashamed to be in a group of people so obnoxious.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8259 Anonymous Tue, 31 Oct 2006 18:54:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8259 I still miss you playing your accordeon during CM. I am sad you no longer ride. I respect why you don't. The BS that used to occur years ago now it seems is no longer going on. I just hope you don't feel about everyone who rides the same way. It would not be fair. tino I still miss you playing your accordeon during CM. I am sad you no longer ride. I respect why you don’t.

The BS that used to occur years ago now it seems is no longer

going on.

I just hope you don’t feel about everyone who rides the same way. It would not be fair.

tino

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8257 Anonymous Mon, 02 Oct 2006 17:10:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8257 My understanding is that the arrests of cyclists in NYC was predicated by their participation in protests against the RNC and that there are heavy political overtones. There was no police attention to the rides prior to the RNC and a heavy crackdown during and after. <a href="http://www.stillweride.org/" rel="nofollow">Backstory</a> available. I have seen the movie "Still we ride", it is excellent. If you have a chance I highly reccomend it. My understanding is that the arrests of cyclists in NYC was predicated by their participation in protests against the RNC and that there are heavy political overtones. There was no police attention to the rides prior to the RNC and a heavy crackdown during and after.

Backstory available. I have seen the movie “Still we ride”, it is excellent. If you have a chance I highly reccomend it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8253 Anonymous Mon, 02 Oct 2006 17:06:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8253 Heya, Someone posted a link to this post from the <a href="http://www.ottawacriticalmass.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ottawa Critical Mass Blogspot</a>. In fact we have been going every month (except December) since November of last year, with dozens of people each time. Some of the old school CM people turned up at the first one in November and did the sort of stuff you are talking about and other bullshit--- running red lights, drinking whisky out of flasks and being sexist. The rest of the participants made our views regarding the innapropriateness of this behaviour clear and they haven't been seen at a ride since. <a href="http://ottawacriticalmass.blogspot.com/2006/05/more-discussion-from-neil.html" rel="nofollow">Here</a> is some discussion from the blog about safe practices. We have pretty much been following the suggestions that were put forth in this post. We are learning how best and most safely to do the ride and when there are issues they are discussed and learned from. You can check the blog archives for part of the discussion if you are interested. Joy, Gwen Heya,

Someone posted a link to this post from the Ottawa Critical Mass Blogspot. In fact we have been going every month (except December) since November of last year, with dozens of people each time.

Some of the old school CM people turned up at the first one in November and did the sort of stuff you are talking about and other bullshit— running red lights, drinking whisky out of flasks and being sexist. The rest of the participants made our views regarding the innapropriateness of this behaviour clear and they haven’t been seen at a ride since.

Here is some discussion from the blog about safe practices. We have pretty much been following the suggestions that were put forth in this post.

We are learning how best and most safely to do the ride and when there are issues they are discussed and learned from. You can check the blog archives for part of the discussion if you are interested.

Joy,

Gwen

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8258 Anonymous Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:21:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8258 "It was two kinds of stupid coming together for a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of ass-hattery..." Nice! “It was two kinds of stupid coming together for a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup of ass-hattery…”
Nice!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8256 Anonymous Sun, 01 Oct 2006 11:52:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8256 I ride *a lot* and I've always said that a cyclists worst enemy is another cyclist. CM is a farce everywhere from what I understand. The Winnipeg event is no more noble than the one here in Toronto - ruined by a bunch of dicks with anger management issues. We do need a better form a cycling advocacy in this city though. Toronto politicians aren't doing Toronto any favors by shortchanging those that prefer this form of transportation and leisure. Its bike routes are an embarassment, and in a lot of cases, dangerous. We deserve better. I ride *a lot* and I’ve always said that a cyclists worst enemy is another cyclist. CM is a farce everywhere from what I understand. The Winnipeg event is no more noble than the one here in Toronto - ruined by a bunch of dicks with anger management issues.

We do need a better form a cycling advocacy in this city though. Toronto politicians aren’t doing Toronto any favors by shortchanging those that prefer this form of transportation and leisure. Its bike routes are an embarassment, and in a lot of cases, dangerous.

We deserve better.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8255 Anonymous Sat, 30 Sep 2006 15:49:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8255 In NYC, the cops got fed up with the riders, started doing mass arrests at each ride. Hopefully Toronto will start doing the same. If these cyclists were actually doing anything constructive, I'd hate the idea of mass arrests. If they were advocating for more bike lanes, or fewer cars, or whatever, I'd be all for them. I hate the idea of mass arrests of anyone, on general principle. But they're not doing anything constructive. They're not advocating for anything. It's just a demonstration of civil disobedience for its own sake, no different than graffiti or throwing rocks at cars from a highway overpass. "We're too many to arrest us all" is the only message conveyed. Screw that. In NYC, the cops got fed up with the riders, started doing mass arrests at each ride. Hopefully Toronto will start doing the same.

If these cyclists were actually doing anything constructive, I’d hate the idea of mass arrests. If they were advocating for more bike lanes, or fewer cars, or whatever, I’d be all for them. I hate the idea of mass arrests of anyone, on general principle.

But they’re not doing anything constructive. They’re not advocating for anything. It’s just a demonstration of civil disobedience for its own sake, no different than graffiti or throwing rocks at cars from a highway overpass. “We’re too many to arrest us all” is the only message conveyed. Screw that.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8254 Anonymous Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:12:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8254 When I was commuting by bike in seattle, I went to one critical mass, and left halfway through because I just didn't want to be a part of it. It wasn't helping anything, just a bunch of cyclists being jerks in public. Oddly enough, as I was in another part of the city, I experienced the one and only time I was ever harassed by police when I was on my bike. Coincidence? Causality? When I was commuting by bike in seattle, I went to one critical mass, and left halfway through because I just didn’t want to be a part of it. It wasn’t helping anything, just a bunch of cyclists being jerks in public.

Oddly enough, as I was in another part of the city, I experienced the one and only time I was ever harassed by police when I was on my bike. Coincidence? Causality?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8252 Anonymous Fri, 29 Sep 2006 16:58:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2006/09/29/critical-massholes-or-why-i-no-longer-ride-with-critical-mass/#comment-8252 That's pretty much why I and most of my friends stopped going to Ottawa critical masses (back when I lived in that city.) The rules for the ride are supposed to be defined by those present at the start of the ride, but we had a discussion one time where everyone agreed to "follow the law", including the ride leaders who 5 minutes later led us through an illegal left turn onto Bank Street followed by some wrong-way-on-a-one-way action. If I recall correctly, that was my last critical mass. As a result, Critical Mass is all but dead in Ottawa. Every now and then one happens, but there's never enough momentum to keep it going month to month. That’s pretty much why I and most of my friends stopped going to Ottawa critical masses (back when I lived in that city.) The rules for the ride are supposed to be defined by those present at the start of the ride, but we had a discussion one time where everyone agreed to “follow the law”, including the ride leaders who 5 minutes later led us through an illegal left turn onto Bank Street followed by some wrong-way-on-a-one-way action. If I recall correctly, that was my last critical mass.

As a result, Critical Mass is all but dead in Ottawa. Every now and then one happens, but there’s never enough momentum to keep it going month to month.

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