What is Critical Mass?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Davo on June 29, 2009 at 10:40pm

I've thought about saying it is a ride for someone with a desease, but that would be a little uncooth. This one guy who asked me who the leader is wonderd if their was a president and if so did he have the nicest bike. Some people just dont get the collectiveness of it.

Brian Kennedy said:

I hear a lot of onlookers ask "What is this?" in an inquisitive way, to which I hear massers answer, "Critical Mass". Time allowing, I've also heard a follow-up asked, "What's that?". I don't have a good answer. I've seen a couple of places call it a bike protest, which I don't think quite captures the essence. I've got until July 31st to try and come up with an appropriate, or at least funny, answer. Hopefully I see some good ideas here.

As far as the leader issue goes, I'm not clear on how that works. Map makers obviously take a leadership role. There are certain Chicago cycling icons that are well respected and people tend to follow. I don't know how it really works though. There is a leadership presence at each ride and I don't know who establishes roles or where, it at all?????????????????????????

Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on June 29, 2009 at 11:18pm

The North~Side Critical Mass tries to promote bike safety, & Happy Friday. We believe that this is Non - Controversial. We believe that the more we can reach out, to will help our resources. I think that alot of people get hung-up on the bad side of these masses. This is were some don't want to attend them,So they spread this miss - conception to there friends etc...

Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on June 30, 2009 at 12:00am

We do promote Happy Endings & not all of us need P.B.R's to do so. So my bottom line is come & join us in HAPPY FRIDAY. ( T.G.I.F.) :-)

h3 said:

buddaa38 said:

The North~Side Critical Mass tries to promote bike safety, & Happy Friday.

I can't speak for everyone, but I'd be more likely to come attend if you told me it tried to promote & Happy Ending.

Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on June 30, 2009 at 12:42am

North Side Critical Mass
meets 2nd Fridays
in Edgewater
at Lincoln Statue: Clark, Thorndale, & Ridge
Gather 6:30, Depart 7:00
Bring friends, tunes, bells, costumes, cameras!
http://www.thechainlink.org/Calendar


buddaa38 said:

We do promote Happy Endings & not all of us need P.B.R's to do so. So my bottom line is come & join us in HAPPY FRIDAY. ( T.G.I.F.) :-)

h3 said:

buddaa38 said:

The North~Side Critical Mass tries to promote bike safety, & Happy Friday.

I can't speak for everyone, but I'd be more likely to come attend if you told me it tried to promote & Happy Ending.

Permalink Reply by Michael on June 30, 2009 at 2:23am

"...overheard a pedestrian asking a cyclest if we all go to church when were done..."

I don't know much about church, but by the time Critical Mass is over, it is usually too late to make it to Erev Shabbos services at the shul.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Bedno on June 30, 2009 at 8:05am

I was in small packs on non-Fridays twice last week, and heard pedestrians mistake us for Critical Mass. Last Wednesday with a dozen colorful bikes crossing Clark at Division, I overheard a quick conversation like "what's going on", "oh that must be Critical Mass". It's becoming cool to know about it ;)

Permalink Reply by lauren sailor on August 29, 2009 at 6:32am

it's a bike ride!!

when people ask, "what are you doing?"
i like to holler, "we're riding our bikes!!"

(some people are so brainwashed by car culture they can't even recognize a bike ride when they see one!)

MARK has a decent breakdown. if i bother to stop and talk to people, i usually end up pointing them to the unofficial website.