Critical Manners

[Spike-X]

A new group, Critical Manners, has emerged after Friday’s controversial Critical Mass ride in Vancouver. According to organizer Jennifer Watkiss, the riders will stay in bike lanes and obey all traffic rules.

Full story here.

Sounds like a good idea. I know a bloke who lives in Vancouver, and apparently the Critical Mass group there have a habit of making complete and utter c-words of themselves. How these idiots think they're actually helping the cause is beyond me.

 

[PINT of Stella. mate!]

I've never seen critical mass as anything other than counter-productive.

All they seem to do is foster further resentment towards cyclists by pissing off drivers who at the end of the day are still the greater majority when it comes to road use.

Yes we shouldn't have to fear for our lives every time we hit the road but inconveniencing those whose attitudes we're trying to change seems not only backward but downright f***ing bonkers!

 

[Christo]

I love the idea and hope it catches on.. Regrettably, I think the appeal of mischief within the anonymity of a crowd will win out.

 

[Spike-X]

I've never seen critical mass as anything other than counter-productive.

All they seem to do is foster further resentment towards cyclists by pissing off drivers who at the end of the day are still the greater majority when it comes to road use.

Yes we shouldn't have to fear for our lives every time we hit the road but inconveniencing those whose attitudes we're trying to change seems not only backward but downright f***ing bonkers!

When I've got time tonight I'll post up some observations made by my friend I was talking about earlier. 'Counter-productive' is putting it mildly.

 

[rhysrhysbaby]

I hate critical mass and anyone/anything involved with it.

 

[Spike-X]

Excerpted highlights from my conversation with Canadian Friend re: Critical Mass Vancouver -

"Every time they (illegally) go through an intersection, a few of them park their bikes in front of any cars that are on the street at all. They're clearly daring the people in the cars to start something, so then they can act persecuted. I've also seen them lecture the people in the cars...sit on cars, and lean their bikes against them. One guy tonight put his bike down on the pavement in front of an SUV and calmly laid down beside it, and then tried to claim the driver had hit him.

They also, of course, break every traffic law they can, and quite a few of them drink while they're riding.

Oh, and the police who escort them on their little tirade get called pigs by the "freedom fighters". Even though they hide behind the same police to avoid getting their asses handed to them."



"Oh, for fuck sakes. The Critical Mass c***s just came back. And most of them are refusing to use the new bike lane the city put in last month.

Way to strike a blow for freedom, you moronic shitheads."