Critical Mass

[samagon]

Two wrongs don't make a right.

What's the different between this, compared to a large group of "professional" bike riders like what I see out here in the 'burbs every weekend? I don't understand why this is even an issue? Is the group targeting busy intersections or trying to purposely slow/stop the flow of traffic? Is there a devious plot to the bike ride, or is it truly one of mass enjoyment?

well, the spirit of the ride is two fold:

to enjoy riding in relative safety.

to help remind people that they share the road not just with other cars.

overall though, it is mostly just the fun of getting out for a slow pace ride that doesn't include everyone wearing spandex and training for the next big race.

[august948]

So I am still mixed on whether riding on the sidewalk should be illegal. Bicycle - car accident is generally worse than human- car.

It shouldn't be illegal. You should be able (and encouraged) to ride anywhere in the public domain. The only caveat I'd have to that is that you should walk your bike or ride very slowly and carefully in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.

[kylejack]

It shouldn't be illegal. You should be able (and encouraged) to ride anywhere in the public domain. The only caveat I'd have to that is that you should walk your bike or ride very slowly and carefully in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.

Then encourage me to ride in the road.

[august948]

I'm of the opinion that you're MORE likely to get in a car vs. bicycle accident when you're on the sidewalk. Unless you're riding really slow. Which sort of negates the purpose of being on a bike, anyway. Take the lane, behave in a reasonable fashion, and you're usually OK out there.

I suspect most bicycle fatalities in Houston in recent years have happened to riders who were on the streets rather than on sidewalks. The closer you are to the auto traffic, the more likely it is there will be an accident. I've ridden the major streets on the west side of town for years and do it almost exclusively on the sidewalks. I wouldn't even consider riding the street on Westheimer and only ride the bike lanes if I absolutely have to on Briar Forrest and Richmond. I'm not sure what 'riding really slow' means since I'm able to ride the sidewalks at satisfactory speeds. One thing I have noticed, though, is that it's better to ride the sidewalk in the direction of traffic since any drivers pulling onto the street from a side road or driveway are going to be looking in that direction for oncoming traffic anyway.

[sunsets]

I think a major point that the anti-Critical Mass side is missing is that the Houston version is starting at 7 pm. If they REALLY wanted to mess up traffic (like in San Fran) they'd start at 5:00. Yet, part of the purpose of the ride is to be visible and to remind drivers that urban traffic includes bikes. I think that's a very reasonable way to do it. Spandex-clad group riders who transport their $3000 racing bikes out to the suburbs every weekend are an entirely different subculture.

And, I'm just wondering, but why is the number one argument against sharing the road always "Well, YOU aren't stopping at stop signs"? I don't get it. A cyclist rolling through an intersection (note that I mean rolling through after checking to make sure no one is coming, not blowing through without looking) is really not a danger to anyone. Plus we get out of the way of cars faster by doing so.

[kylejack]

I suspect most bicycle fatalities in Houston in recent years have happened to riders who were on the streets rather than on sidewalks. The closer you are to the auto traffic, the more likely it is there will be an accident. I've ridden the major streets on the west side of town for years and do it almost exclusively on the sidewalks. I wouldn't even consider riding the street on Westheimer and only ride the bike lanes if I absolutely have to on Briar Forrest and Richmond. I'm not sure what 'riding really slow' means since I'm able to ride the sidewalks at satisfactory speeds. One thing I have noticed, though, is that it's better to ride the sidewalk in the direction of traffic since any drivers pulling onto the street from a side road or driveway are going to be looking in that direction for oncoming traffic anyway.

They drive over the sidewalk first to the edge of the road. THEN they check for traffic.

[sunsets]

I suspect most bicycle fatalities in Houston in recent years have happened to riders who were on the streets rather than on sidewalks. The closer you are to the auto traffic, the more likely it is there will be an accident. I've ridden the major streets on the west side of town for years and do it almost exclusively on the sidewalks. I wouldn't even consider riding the street on Westheimer and only ride the bike lanes if I absolutely have to on Briar Forrest and Richmond. I'm not sure what 'riding really slow' means since I'm able to ride the sidewalks at satisfactory speeds. One thing I have noticed, though, is that it's better to ride the sidewalk in the direction of traffic since any drivers pulling onto the street from a side road or driveway are going to be looking in that direction for oncoming traffic anyway.

Yes, please ride in the same direction as traffic, even if you're on the sidewalk. You are totally right about the drivers looking for oncoming traffic.

I completely understand wanting to avoid the busy streets, especially outside the loop. But I also wish more cyclists would assert their right to be on the roads. Cowering on the sidewalks continues to reinforce the idea that a bike is a toy to be kept away from real adults in motor vehicles. I know, I know, it's not feasible for everyone to do this, but I can dream....

[august948]

They drive over the sidewalk first to the edge of the road. THEN they check for traffic.

Either way, unless it is a truly blind intersection, you will see them coming and can take appropriate action.

[kylejack]

Either way, unless it is a truly blind intersection, you will see them coming and can take appropriate action.

Yes, which means I have to stop at each time there's a car coming up the driveway, parking lot, etc. If I stay on the road I have the right of way and they can wait for me to pass.

[august948]

Yes, please ride in the same direction as traffic, even if you're on the sidewalk. You are totally right about the drivers looking for oncoming traffic.

I completely understand wanting to avoid the busy streets, especially outside the loop. But I also wish more cyclists would assert their right to be on the roads. Cowering on the sidewalks continues to reinforce the idea that a bike is a toy to be kept away from real adults in motor vehicles. I know, I know, it's not feasible for everyone to do this, but I can dream....

I guess I'm looking at this from the point of view of my own personal safety. I'd love to be able to ride Westheimer to Montrose, but I'm not going to risk death or injury to do it. Getting back to the original topic of this thread, the Critical Mass rides, maybe some of the rides (or maybe club or shop organized rides) shoud be outside the loop to spread the message. How about a Critical Mass-like ride West Oaks to the Galleria?

[august948]

Yes, which means I have to stop at each time there's a car coming up the driveway, parking lot, etc. If I stay on the road I have the right of way and they can wait for me to pass.

True, but I've found that once most drivers see you they'll wait or there's usually room to pass behind them if they pull too far forward. I've only rarely had to come to a full stop because of a driver pulling out in front of me. And if I do have to stop, so what? When I'm driving I have to stop all the time too.

[kylejack]

There are several shop organized rides, check Bike Barn and a few of the others for that.

[august948]

There are several shop organized rides, check Bike Barn and a few of the others for that.

I have, though not recently so I'll do it again, but all the ones I've seen have either been inside the loop or further out in the country. I haven't seen one go down Westheimer, Richmond, Memorial, etc.

[AtticaFlinch]

I have, though not recently so I'll do it again, but all the ones I've seen have either been inside the loop or further out in the country. I haven't seen one go down Westheimer, Richmond, Memorial, etc.

If there isn't one, get it started.

[JamesL]

I guess I'm looking at this from the point of view of my own personal safety.

You could also try the network of bike routes. They parallel the busy main drags on quiet neighborhood streets and are usually well marked.

http://documents.publicworks.houstontx.gov/document-center/houston-bikeway-program/bikeway-network-map/details.htm

[kylejack]

More like sometimes well-marked. Its a start but I want more dedicated bike lanes.

[Subdude]

There are several shop organized rides, check Bike Barn and a few of the others for that.

Quite a few in the spring for MS150 training.

More dedicated bike lanes would be fine, but I figured out a long time a go they wouldn't make any change in my riding habits or routes. I'm just used to riding in traffic so it's no big deal.

[kylejack]

Here's Bike Barn's weekly list (scroll to the bottom) as well as the upcoming group rides. http://bikebarn.com/page.cfm?pageID=66

[august948]

You could also try the network of bike routes. They parallel the busy main drags on quiet neighborhood streets and are usually well marked.

http://documents.pub...map/details.htm

I use neighborhood roads and the Terry Hershey trail pretty frequently. On the west side of town, however, I've found that while neighborhood routes are good for north-south biking they don't work as well for east-west biking. There are a lot of segmented east-west streets due to the nature of the cul-de-sac subdivisions west of the Galleria. If you want to go very far you are forced onto one of the major thoroughfares. At that point, it's either ride on a major street or ride on the sidewalk.

[Subdude]

I use neighborhood roads and the Terry Hershey trail pretty frequently. On the west side of town, however, I've found that while neighborhood routes are good for north-south biking they don't work as well for east-west biking. There are a lot of segmented east-west streets due to the nature of the cul-de-sac subdivisions west of the Galleria. If you want to go very far you are forced onto one of the major thoroughfares. At that point, it's either ride on a major street or ride on the sidewalk.

The problem is that sidewalks are narrow and just as uneven as streets, and it's generally illegal to ride on them. Plus, I like the idea of cars having to squeeze around me on my bike.

[kylejack]

Sidewalks are more uneven than streets, in my opinion, especially in this town. The city takes no responsibility for maintaining sidewalks.

[august948]

...I like the idea of cars having to squeeze around me on my bike.

Yeah...that is until one doesn't squeeze around you...

[barracuda]

The sidewalks are ridiculous in Houston. I don't necessarily blame the city -- the worst sidewalks are torn apart by the root structures of live oaks and other large trees. They definitely aren't suitable for biking unless you're riding bmx style.

[kylejack]

The sidewalks are ridiculous in Houston. I don't necessarily blame the city -- the worst sidewalks are torn apart by the root structures of live oaks and other large trees. They definitely aren't suitable for biking unless you're riding bmx style.

They are a public right of way. The city should maintain them.

[musicman]

They are a public right of way. The city should maintain them.

bill white disagrees

[samagon]

bill white disagrees

bill white's a poopoohead!

[samagon]

This Friday is critical mass!

Hope there are new faces, and remember dress up in your Halloween best!

I'll be the paranoid guy with a tinfoil hat

[kylejack]

Still trying to decide on a costume!

[samagon]

Still trying to decide on a costume!

well, the idea that was even lamer than the tinfoil hat idea, was to be a hipster, since I already have the fixed gear, I'd just need some tight jeans, a tee-shirt with some snide remarks and a pair of converse, oh and some form of trendy hat, and a 70s porn 'stache.

you are welcome to it!

[kylejack]

I was thinking Mormon Missionary, because it goes well with the bike thing. Just need to figure out how to make one of those name badges... If all else fails I'll just wear my old V for Vendetta mask.

107 RSVPs and 87 maybes, going to be a fun night.