Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on August 13, 2015 at 3:43pm

Great article by Jasper Craven. Are you sure this is the Chicago Tribune? Whatever happened to our 'friend', John 'watsits' name?

Power to the 'mature' cyclist ! I wish more mature Chicagoans would give cycling a chance. Especially of the female persuasion.(Get out of your cars ladies, and try cycling). It is a healthy and rehabilitative activity for anyone over 40 or more. It clears the mind, helps you with equilibrium and blood sugar/pressure conditions and hopefully extending lifespan, etc. . . and it's plain fun too ! (Most of the time)!

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on August 14, 2015 at 2:42am

I'm almost afraid to say it out of fear of jinxing the "no hitter" but I'm super happy to see the Chicago Tribune publishing pro-cyclist articles. This riding-your-bike thing may just catch on. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on August 14, 2015 at 3:54pm

I think the Critical Mass people are doing all of us a disservice. They succeed in raising ire against cyclists within the community that we are trying win over. I don't get it.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on August 15, 2015 at 5:10am

Critical Mass is just a bike ride.  Nothing more.  Would you like to see all bike rides stopped?

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Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on August 16, 2015 at 11:08am

I disagree. I've seen firsthand, aggressive, in your face behavior toward motorists from some of these riders. I understand that sometimes to make a point, it's necessary to go over the top but antagonizing people is counter productive.

This article sums it up pretty well.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Keating on August 17, 2015 at 4:07am

Critical Mass far, far pales in comparison to the "damage" done to public perception by scofflaw bicyclists who weave in and out of traffic or blow through stop signs and red lights and force cars to slam on their brakes. 

When I do jury selection or a focus group on a bike case these are the criticisms I hear. I've never heard one person in these settings even mention Critical Mass. I think that CM is pretty well accepted and understood by now. It's a semi-sanctioned city event with its own police detail. 

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Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on August 15, 2015 at 2:14am

Let's do a Kickstarter project to purchase a nice cruiser bike for our friend John who's last name cannot be said. Once done, maybe we can get the Trib to write an article commending our generosity and foresightedness with a picture of John smiling as he takes his first ride on his shiny new cruiser. 

"John, you look a lot younger on that bike."

"John, have you lost some weight?"

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Permalink Reply by Mike Keating on August 17, 2015 at 4:03am

I've repeatedly offered via email and Twitter to take him to a Sox game (he is a huge fan, as am I) on me and enjoy the game and talk bikes. He's never responded. 

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