Critical Mass

[Subdude]

So I've read a couple people mention hey have gone on Critical Mass rides. Is this a group you join? Where do they ride? How many people go on the rides?

If it involves disrupting auto traffic I'm all for it!

[august948]

So I've read a couple people mention hey have gone on Critical Mass rides. Is this a group you join? Where do they ride? How many people go on the rides?

If it involves disrupting auto traffic I'm all for it!

http://houstoncriticalmass.com/

I've never been but would like to hear from folks who have done it. How long do you ride, where, etc?

[kylejack]

I have a Facebook group here.

May have to be signed into Facebook to see this, here's an amazing video of the lightning we encountered [but no rain] on last month's ride: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=147853385151&ref=nf

Critical Mass is a bike ride leaving from downtown, Tranquility Park Smith @ Walker on the last Friday of every month at 7 PM, rain or shine. Actually we usually don't leave until 7:15 or 7:20, there's always some stragglers. Our route varies. In the past we've ridden to the Galleria, but this past month we rode through the East End. Down Navigation, cut across on I forget what street to Eastwood Park, took a break, then road to UH and all over the campus, then we finished up at Hermann Park and trickled back in smaller groups to the starting point. It was a 16 mile trip total, which is pretty typical. The shortest ride I recall was about ten miles and the longest are a little more than 20, so its pretty easy riding.

We typically have 150-300 riders. I'll post more a little later.

[august948]

I have a Facebook group here.

May have to be signed into Facebook to see this, here's an amazing video of the lightning we encountered [but no rain] on last month's ride: http://www.facebook....53385151&ref=nf

Critical Mass is a bike ride leaving from downtown, Tranquility Park Smith @ Walker on the last Friday of every month at 7 PM, rain or shine. Actually we usually don't leave until 7:15 or 7:20, there's always some stragglers. Our route varies. In the past we've ridden to the Galleria, but this past month we rode through the East End. Down Navigation, cut across on I forget what street to Eastwood Park, took a break, then road to UH and all over the campus, then we finished up at Hermann Park and trickled back in smaller groups to the starting point. It was a 16 mile trip total, which is pretty typical. The shortest ride I recall was about ten miles and the longest are a little more than 20, so its pretty easy riding.

We typically have 150-300 riders. I'll post more a little later.

Thanks for the info...how long did the ride take?

[abrahang]

here is a map of this past friday's ride:

[kylejack]

Now to talk about some of the more controversial elements of Critical Mass. To keep a group this big together, stopping for every light is an impossibility. If a light is already red and cross traffic is already moving when the front of the group reaches the intersection, we will stop and wait for the traffic to clear or for the light to change. Once we're moving through the intersection we're going to do everything we can to keep the whole group together. This means that if the light starts to change that a couple cyclists will stand in the crosswalk to prevent motorists from acting on their green light until our group has cleared. This procedure is known colloquially as "corking". Motorists are inconvenienced for no more than 2 minutes and we clear the area and life goes back to normal. This is better than clumps of 20 cyclists stopping at every light and locking up the whole grid.

But obviously its controversial. 98% of motorists are patient and understanding, moreso than you might expect. We did have one angry guy in an H2 yelling at us when he was corked on Lockwood near Rusk.

I expect some of the angry motorist opinions will come to this thread.

[CDeb]

Hilarious.

Cyclists often complain about the lack of courtesy exhibited to them by motorists (and I agree with them).

But often they can be quite rude to motorists. This thread confirms that.

[kylejack]

Hilarious.

Cyclists often complain about the lack of courtesy exhibited to them by motorists (and I agree with them).

But often they are just as rude to motorists. This thread confirms that.

Cars rule every road every day, but for a few hours once a month, we can ride unencumbered.

The police wave a friendly hello and block intersections for us. Last Friday a UH cop followed us off campus and sat with his lights on in three intersections to ensure our safe passage.

[Highway6]

At least for big organized rides, the routes are published and people know generally what area to avoid with their cars. Just like a marathon.

But i agree.. corking.. what ass came up with that? And that's coming from a cyclist here.

You're doing this on a Friday, at the time of the day where rushhour traffic is meeting going out traffic.

Just seems getting a group that large together on the day and time yall have chosen is asking for trouble.

That being said.. I've never heard of or seen this group.. and it sounds fun.. I may have to join the side of the a-holes one of these fridays.

[kylejack]

At least for big organized rides, the routes are published and people know generally what area to avoid with their cars. Just like a marathon.

True, but marathons and etc. shut down Allen Parkway for half the day and we occupy a given intersection for no more than 2 minutes.

But i agree.. corking.. what ass came up with that? And that's coming from a cyclist here.

You're doing this on a Friday, at the time of the day where rushhour traffic is meeting going out traffic.

Leaving downtown at 7:20ish it seems to be a pretty minimal effect on traffic. Most roads are chosen for their light traffic, generally speaking. But after Critical Mass rider Leigh Boone was killed by the red-light running firetrucks at Westheimer @ Dunlavy we rode down Westheimer. Tempers were hot that month. Also, a ghostbike has been placed at that intersection and locked to a sign.

[samagon]

There was also an officer that stopped traffic for us at some random intersection as we were going down Mac Gregor.

The rides encompass all kinds of riders, from hard core road racers to BMX. It is very laid back, and very friendly environment where you are going to strike up a conversation with random people who you have a common bond of a love of cycling with. It is a great environment!

Depending on who is leading will depend on how good the event is for everyone.

The July event was the worst I've been on, very long between stops, and fast leaders, we ended up with a bunch of different groups that were strung out so far that the back people ended up getting lost, not to mention we rode down westheimer and some other highly trafficked streets. This is more the exception than the rule.

The last event was very well led, and had a route that didn't go over lots of bad roads with tire gobbling cracks, but that is almost unavoidable unless we just do loops around downtown.

My experience overall is very positive

[JLWM8609]

Millions of taxpayer dollars have gone into constructing bikeways along old railroad easements so that bicyclists can maneuver around without being hit by the typical airhead Houston motorist. Looking at the route you took last Friday, it appears that you guys could have used some sections of the Columbia Tap trail to access UH and N. MacGregor instead of clogging busy intersections such as Scott and N. MacGregor among others. Unless you have police escorts (I note that UH police did assist in some areas so that's good), it's illegal for you guys to run through those red lights. Bikes are supposed to follow the rules of the road. People would get pissed if a car club with 40 cars continued through an intersection after those cars received a red light just so the caravan of cars could stick together. You guys should stick to the rules of the road too. Breaking the law does NOT further your cause in any appreciable way.

I don't condone the angry and illegal actions performed against law abiding cyclers by the stupid motorists we have here, and you can call me an angry driver if you will, but if I had a sick relative that I had to rush to the hospital and some Critical Mass riders blocked the intersection when I had the green, you'd better believe I'd lean on the horn and cautiously pull through. 2 minutes may not be much when you're just cruising along, but if someone is seriously ill, those 2 minutes can be the line between life and death.

[rsb320]

This sounds like fun. After my new bike arrives and I have a little training time, I might make it to the Sept. 25 journey.

Is the Moonlight Ride still active?

[kylejack]

Millions of taxpayer dollars have gone into constructing bikeways along old railroad easements so that bicyclists can maneuver around without being hit by the typical airhead Houston motorist. Looking at the route you took last Friday, it appears that you guys could have used some sections of the Columbia Tap trail to access UH and N. MacGregor instead of clogging busy intersections such as Scott and N. MacGregor among others.

Yeah I ride Columbia Tap to work and for fun all the time and would like to try it with Critical Mass some time, but one problem I see is throughput. A two-rider-wide line hundreds of riders long would occupy cross streets on Columbia Tap (like Elgin) for much much longer than 2 minutes. Riding on streets allows us to clear much quicker. Still, I would like to give it a try but I'm not calling the shots.

I don't condone the angry and illegal actions performed against law abiding cyclers by the stupid motorists we have here, and you can call me an angry driver if you will, but if I had a sick relative that I had to rush to the hospital and some Critical Mass riders blocked the intersection when I had the green, you'd better believe I'd lean on the horn and cautiously pull through. 2 minutes may not be much when you're just cruising along, but if someone is seriously ill, those 2 minutes can be the line between life and death.

I, for one, would certainly not fault you for that.

[samagon]

This sounds like fun. After my new bike arrives and I have a little training time, I might make it to the Sept. 25 journey.

Is the Moonlight Ride still active?

yes! I am eager to go for the first time in 15 years

http://www.bikehouston.org/content/blogcategory/14/40/

[kylejack]

Is the Moonlight Ride still active?

YES! And that ride is totally legit and permitted, and police-escorted. Not much info yet but its November 1st at 2 AM. http://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=MjJidmZwcXUzbzJldWxoM3RucjRwdWp0cG8gY2FsZW5kYXJtYXN0ZXJAYmlrZWhvdXN0b24ub3Jn&ctz=America/Chicago

[kylejack]

My wheel was busted in July, so I walked over and filmed the start down Smith. I think it was about 175 bikes that month. From what samagon said, I guess I'm glad I didn't get to go that month.

[samagon]

first orange shirt at 1:35 is me (the one without the dreads, what are the odds that not only two people would wear orange shirts, but we would be right next to each other?)

[Coaster]

It's always fun until somebody gets hurt.

I'll be sure to leave my car running out in the drive way all day long and mow the lawn on critical mess day so that I can produce as many carbon gases and pollutants as humanly possible.

Does anyone know if there is any way to make a car spew more exhaust than it normally does? I want to lead the pack with my junk pick up truck on critical mess day an ride directly in front of all the silly cyclist. O won't it be fun when the cyclist start collapsing in the street! I hope I get a chance to kick every last one of them right square in the head just as they gasp for their last breath. It will be beautiful. A symphony of death rattles. History will not forget this holiday of death!

Maybe I should start a club of like minded environmental haters like myself to join me in a critical mass of our own on the very same day. Joy.

Just Kidding, have fun you asphalt kissing psychos.

[kylejack]

We'll see you out there Coaster! 7:20 at Smith and Walker, you can be our vehicular ride marshall.

[JamesL]

it's illegal for you guys to run through those red lights.

It's illegal for cars to pass bikes at 10 over the speed limit with inches to spare, too. Just pointing out that this gives us a chance to reciprocate the favor.

Critical Mass is a good time. I've been on two rides so far, and will definitely go again. If you want to see an absolutely crazy number of cyclists (and some sweet costumes), come to the Halloween ride.

[JLWM8609]

Yeah I ride Columbia Tap to work and for fun all the time and would like to try it with Critical Mass some time, but one problem I see is throughput. A two-rider-wide line hundreds of riders long would occupy cross streets on Columbia Tap (like Elgin) for much much longer than 2 minutes. Riding on streets allows us to clear much quicker. Still, I would like to give it a try but I'm not calling the shots.

I, for one, would certainly not fault you for that.

If you decide to have everyone come down the Columbia Tap, let me know. I live super close to it and could snap some pics to post to this thread. Maybe you could get assistance from TSU police to pass safely through the streets near the TSU campus.

[Subdude]

But obviously its controversial. 98% of motorists are patient and understanding, moreso than you might expect. We did have one angry guy in an H2 yelling at us when he was corked on Lockwood near Rusk.

Now why does that not surprise me?

Seriously I've rarely ever had problems with motorists. That said, there does seem to be a group of drivers out there that for whatever reason don't like having bikes around. Maybe on good side of something like Critical Mass is raising the profile of bicyclists so drivers realize they have just as much right to the road.

[RedScare]

Maybe I should start a club of like minded environmental haters like myself to join me in a critical mass of our own on the very same day. Joy.

Or you could save time and simply join the GOP.

I don't condone the angry and illegal actions performed against law abiding cyclers by the stupid motorists we have here, and you can call me an angry driver if you will, but if I had a sick relative that I had to rush to the hospital and some Critical Mass riders blocked the intersection when I had the green, you'd better believe I'd lean on the horn and cautiously pull through. 2 minutes may not be much when you're just cruising along, but if someone is seriously ill, those 2 minutes can be the line between life and death.

While it is certainly your right to use the horn that came with your car, and if I were one of the cyclists running the light I would understand your using it, I have to say that your actions would qualify as more self-centered and narcissistic than the cyclists that you are honking at. They at least have a purpose...to keep the group together so that they block fewer intersections. Your point seems to be that you will break through the group for no other reason than you can. As I said, that is your right on a green light, but if you are serious, you must also know that you'd be a serious d__k. I expect that from some of the other complainers on this forum, not from you, JLWM.

[kylejack]

Critical Mass exists in most major cities.

The slogan: We're not blocking traffic, we are traffic.

On that note, here's a 49 minute documentary about Critical Mass called We Are Traffic: http://video.google....314458200750949

[samagon]

It amazes me to no end that so many motorists are quick to point out every single infraction that a cyclist has of the law, mainly any law that interferes with their driving experience. Then that same motorist is breaking as many, or more laws that inconvenience other motorists and cause safety concerns they don't think about, speeding, not signaling, rolling through stop signs, rolling through right on red, the list is long.

There are a few very good points that can be made.

1. The main one is about safety, cyclists have no protective shell, no seatbelt, nothing protecting us from the ground and motorists bumpers, this forces a self aware rider to continually be cautious of those around him, and if they are smart while riding solo, or in a small group, to obey the law as best they can.

2. Hypocrisy sucks.

Every cyclist must ride in this mindset if they want to stay safe. The one chance we have as equal users of the road system, to use the road system without having to mentally drain him/herself is to ride in a group so large that motorists cannot just ignore us, or buzz us because they are inconvenienced. This is a great release for all cyclists!

More important than this ability to ride without worry, drivers are forced to be aware of the fact that cyclists are here to share the roads. This hopefully gives some perspective to those who get angry and pissed at cyclists for inconveniencing them on a daily basis.

But even more important still, we may give awareness to the motorists who never think about, or even notice cyclists on the road. That maybe in the future these aloof ones will look for cyclists before they roll through a right on red, or roll through a stop sign, or make a lane change without using their signal. It is these drivers that pose the greatest threat to cyclists. Because they do illegal things without even thinking about who they are endangering, or giving a cyclist warning as to their actions so that we can make adjustments to ensure our safety.

We stop for Ambulances, Firetrucks, Police cars and trains. Keep this in mind if you have a family member that needs immediate medical attention on the last Friday of the month between 7:30ish and 9:30ish.

[LTAWACS]

I'm all for bike riding but this? ugh.

[rsb320]

My neighborhood is swarming with bikes and scooters. I always yield to them in my SUV. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be or was I just taught wrong? I mean give me a break, I've never been inconvenienced by a cyclist. Also I would find a pack of bikers 'cool' to look at while stopped at a green light. There's no destination that I need to get to that bad.

Downtown has its fair share of bicycles and skateboards during the work week too. These and cars seem to blend just fine.

Funny - I saw a (homeless I guess) guy yesterday riding a bike with no tires, just wheels.

[JLWM8609]

While it is certainly your right to use the horn that came with your car, and if I were one of the cyclists running the light I would understand your using it, I have to say that your actions would qualify as more self-centered and narcissistic than the cyclists that you are honking at. They at least have a purpose...to keep the group together so that they block fewer intersections. Your point seems to be that you will break through the group for no other reason than you can. As I said, that is your right on a green light, but if you are serious, you must also know that you'd be a serious d__k. I expect that from some of the other complainers on this forum, not from you, JLWM.

Did you read my post in depth? I was talking about situations such as rushing someone to the hospital.

[kylejack]

You may also remember Critical Mass from the news. On a Critical Mass ride in New York, a rookie cop approached and tackled a cyclist, then arrested him for assaulting an officer and made up a story about how the cyclist had targeted him and knocked him down with his bike. Unfortunately for the cop, the video someone took proved otherwise.

Officer Patrick Pogan was fired and indicted.