Chicago Critical Mass

I don't see any posting in the "Upcoming Rides and Events"

I didn't see any ride reports or information about the January ride.

Has the Critical Mass movement been discontinued, just like the Auto Show Shutdown?

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Permalink Reply by ketoguychicago on February 11, 2020 at 1:05pm

Cyclists and cycling advocates are working diligently to demonstrate to people - particularly motorists - that cycling doesn't cause traffic congestion. Setting out to prove to everyone that cycling causes congestion - by intentionally causing such congestion like this - is not in the interests of cycling.  

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on February 11, 2020 at 1:40pm

So what are you suggesting?  Should we all drive our cars, or rent one, and drive around Delay Plaza on the last Friday of the month instead?

It's just a bike ride.  The intention isn't to cause congestion. Nobody is intentionally trying to cause congestion.

Permalink Reply by ketoguychicago on February 11, 2020 at 3:47pm

It isn't just a bike ride.  I go on bike rides all the time and don't cause traffic jams.  These cause traffic jams, and not accidentally nor incidentally.  

As a result, these generate a dislike for cyclists among some motorists who might otherwise be indifferent or sympathetic.  In worst case scenarios, that lack of sympathy doesn't promote safety and can even create resentment, and that works against cycling in the political sphere, which adds to why it's not good for the broader cycling community.

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on February 26, 2020 at 4:43pm

rah, bah, bah. 

Permalink Reply by Cooper Hofstad on February 12, 2020 at 8:30am

In the same way that cars "blowing through stop signs and red lights down Elston" isn't "intended to cause injury to cyclists or pedestrians," I guess.  No motorists wants to deliberately hurt anyone.

And, I actually stopped doing CM because it absolutely IS about intentionally trying to cause congestion, if not confrontation.

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on February 26, 2020 at 4:42pm

rah bah bah 

Permalink Reply by dav on February 12, 2020 at 1:16am

The last two times I participated in Critical Mass there were riders who sought out confrontation with cars.  It wasn't a great experience.   I'll save Critical Mass for the warmer months when the crowds are larger.

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on February 12, 2020 at 8:21am

Sounds like you just have not been showing up the last Friday of every month to be a good example for the rest of the riders.

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on February 12, 2020 at 11:05am

There have always been a few "massholes" around - but in the clear minority.

Permalink Reply by dav on February 12, 2020 at 12:38pm

I've been on some very fun CM rides, but in hindsight they were all during summer.

Permalink Reply by Phillip Hutchinson on February 13, 2020 at 9:51am

Maybe it's changed in recent years, but the one Critical Mass ride I joined 15ish years ago definitely had a sense of civil disobedience and protest, with a goal (at least by some) of intentionally antagonizing motorists during the Friday afternoon rush hour.

Didn't Critical Mass ride onto (or attempt to ride onto) the Kennedy Expressway a few times last year? 

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on February 13, 2020 at 12:27pm

It happened only once in August!

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