Critical Mass Tunnel Freaks

06-27-2003, 11:33 PM

To all cyclists who supported the Critical Mass ride through the Melbourne domain tunnel, thanks a lot. As a competative cyclist I have had to put up with increase abuse while training today because of your stupidity last night. Unfortunately many motorist think we are one in the same and have been giving more abuse today than we normally recieve just for sharing the road. Just a coincidence, I dont think so!

Why don't you look at the constructive lead taken by Bicycle Victoria, who promote safe road use for all users. They lobbying Local and State governments in the provision of cycle safe roads. They also promote rides that introduce thousands of non cyclist to the sport, which in turn educates a large group of the population on the benifits of bicycle commuting and hence reduces the use of cars.

You riders want a society with out cars, its not going to happen, get over it. What will happen with the publicity that you short sighted radicals get, is there will be a wider devide between motorist and us. This will just make it more dangerous to ride, discourage people from riding and undo all the good BV and simular groups have achieved.

SH

06-28-2003, 03:33 AM

Well said and when will they ever learn?
"SH" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au> wrote in message news:3efd44af$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au...
To all cyclists who supported the Critical Mass ride through the Melbourne domain tunnel, thanks a lot. As a competative cyclist I have had to put up with increase abuse while training today because of your stupidity last night. Unfortunately many motorist think we are one in the same and have been giving more abuse today than we normally recieve just for sharing the road. Just a coincidence, I dont think so!

Why don't you look at the constructive lead taken by Bicycle Victoria, who promote safe road use for all users. They lobbying Local and State governments in the provision of cycle safe roads. They also promote rides that introduce thousands of non cyclist to the sport, which in turn educates a large group of the population on the benifits of bicycle commuting and hence reduces the use of cars.

You riders want a society with out cars, its not going to happen, get over it. What will happen with the publicity that you short sighted radicals get, is there will be a wider devide between motorist and us. This will just make it more dangerous to ride, discourage people from riding and undo all the good BV and simular groups have achieved.

SH

06-28-2003, 05:11 AM

>To all cyclists who supported the Critical Mass ride through the
>Melbourne domain tunnel, thanks a lot. As a competative cyclist I
>have had to put up with increase abuse while training today because
>of your stupidity last night. Unfortunately many motorist think we
>are one in the same and have been giving more abuse today than we
>normally recieve just for sharing the road. Just a coincidence, I
>dont think so!

For a start, you might want to get your facts straight. It was the BURNLEY
Tunnel, not the Domain Tunnel. And any increase in abuse which you
(allegedly) received can be put squarely on the shoulders of the apoplectic
radio jocks who spent hours (literally) talking about how the world was
going to end because people couldn't drive through their precious tunnel.
For the record, here's some press clippings from AFTER the event which
reflect the reality of the situation:

Herald Sun
"Police said the protest caused only a minor disruption and they were happy
with the conduct of the protesters"

The Age
"VicRoads traffic controllers said the event did not seem to have caused
congestion in other parts of the city"
"After police drove through the closed tunnel at 6.30pm, the first five
cyclists entered from Power Street at 6.35pm. The rest entered from Kings
Way two minutes later. The tunnel was reopened at 7.15pm."

So, far from the projected chaos on the roads, the resulting effect on
traffic caused barely a ripple, according to the authorities. And the tunnel
was closed for a total of 45 minutes -- far from the 2 hours which the radio
jocks were screaming about.

>Why don't you look at the constructive lead taken by Bicycle Victoria,
>who promote safe road use for all users. They lobbying Local and State
>governments in the provision of cycle safe roads. They also promote rides
>that introduce thousands of non cyclist to the sport, which in turn
>educates a large group of the population on the benifits of bicycle
>commuting and hence reduces the use of cars.

Among the 20 or so Critical Mass riders that I am friendly with, we are
involved in the following bicycle advocacy projects. Personally, I spend
time working on almost every item on this list:

* forming and running successful Bicycle User Groups (BUGs) to promote
cycling and lobby for better cycling facilities
* lobbying government & authorities at all levels, in conjunction with BV
* producing educative and informational cycling newsletters and publications
* sitting on local government cycling advisory committees
* working with local government & BV to create Bike Plans for council areas
* lobbying local council directly for bike lanes (many CM riders have been
involved in a campaign to get lanes on Chapel St, which finally looks like
it may happen)
* maintaining cycling email lists & websites
* writing articles for local newspapers and "BV News"
* planning for a "Melbourne Bike Week" next summer
* working on mode-shift programs which encourage people to consider cycling
rather than driving
* planning & hosting social rides open to the general public
(and this is not even mentioning work by CM'ers in the areas of public
transport & environmental advocacy)

The vast bulk of this work is unpaid & voluntary, and involves a huge
commitment of personal time from many diverse individuals. It would amount
to hundreds of hours spent on cycling advocacy each month -- and that's only
speaking for the 20 people that I know personally. I can't even begin to
speak for the other 430 riders who were at CM last night.

You are WAY off the mark when you paint us as outlaws. We work within the
system 99% of the time, and often we work hand-in-hand with Bicycle
Victoria. If you don't believe me, then ring up BV and ask them. And you
moigyt be interested to know that although BV does not endorse Critical Mass
(nor would we ever ask it to) there are many individuals who work for BV who
ride in CM.

We are not just activists, we are also advocates. Yet once a month when we
put on our party hats at CM, people like you get up on your high horse and
slag us off for being cowboys. Well, let me ask you, SH, what have you done
lately to promote cycling or improve cycling facilities?

>You riders want a society with out cars, its not going to happen, get
>over it. What will happen with the publicity that you short sighted
>radicals get, is there will be a wider devide between motorist and us.
>This will just make it more dangerous to ride, discourage people from
>riding and undo all the good BV and simular groups have achieved.

I think YOU should get over it. Car use is an environmental, health,
resource use, land use and pollution issue. It's time people realised that
our current addiction to cars is completely unsustainable. And if it takes
CM to do it, then fine.

CM is global, and we're not going away. Come along to a CM ride some time
(last Friday of the month, 5.30pm, State Library) and experience the joy of
it all. You might even like it!

06-28-2003, 07:38 AM

Christopher Jordan wrote:
> Very obvious- it will never be a car-free utopia almost anywhere in
> the world.

It will happen when industry and farming need more petro than we can pump.
But I don't think it will be utopia if we aren't prepared for it.

Mitch.

06-28-2003, 09:52 AM

Critical Mass is a protest, just like any other, and it has every right to
exist. Rather than marching on foot with placards, this march takes place
on two man-powered wheels. Its purpose is not to create a car-less utopia.
Those who participate in it for that reason are idealists, and must have
some clue that what they're hoping for will never ever happen. Critical
Mass's real purpose is to show to the community that road cyclists are here,
and that they have every right to be here, in a manner that the general
public and local government cannot ignore.

Many drivers and municipalities treat cyclists like a nuisance, rather than
like the healthy alternative form of transport that they are. While
cyclists may have the same rights to the road, streets are rarely designed
with cyclists in mind, and drivers do their best to let cyclists know they
are not welcome. Critical Mass is just another avenue to let people know
there is a problem. If just a small portion of the people who participate
in Critical Mass use it as just another avenue for getting their message
out, and continue to lobby their government for more bike lanes and safe
road programs in the meantime, then I say all power to them.

I'm sure the civil rights protests of the past were viewed as a nuisance to
some for their time as well.

"SH" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au> wrote in message
news:3efd44af$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au...
You riders want a society with out cars, its not going to happen, get over
it. What will happen with the publicity that you short sighted radicals get,
is there will be a wider devide between motorist and us. This will just make
it more dangerous to ride, discourage people from riding and undo all the
good BV and simular groups have achieved.

06-28-2003, 12:57 PM

"DedCat" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:hBkLa.8544$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net.cable .rogers.com...
> Critical Mass is a protest, just like any other, and it has every right to
> exist.
Yes it does.......but when it stomps on others rights......it has no place
here or anywhere. CM is a bunch of losers who don't have any good thing to
say in the first place, let along distroying what us good cyclist have left.
Thanks but NO THanks for you so called support.......

Rather than marching on foot with placards, this march takes place
> on two man-powered wheels. Its purpose is not to create a car-less utopia
You're not doing that........your making it only harder for the legit
cyclist to survive.

who participate in it for that reason are idealists, and must have
> some clue that what they're hoping for will never ever happen.
They have no clue but disruption of the human race......plus 99% don't even
know what a bike is!

Critical
> Mass's real purpose is to show to the community that road cyclists are
here,
> and that they have every right to be here, in a manner that the general
> public and local government cannot ignore.

They are not road cyclist......the are rogues and disruptors........that
all.

ike the healthy alternative form of transport that they are. While
> cyclists may have the same rights to the road, streets are rarely designed
> with cyclists in mind, and drivers do their best to let cyclists know they
> are not welcome. Critical Mass is just another avenue to let people know
> there is a problem.
The problem is CM itself.........we don't need your help.......you cause
100% more harm then good
If just a small portion of the people who participate
> in Critical Mass use it as just another avenue for getting their message
> out, and continue to lobby their government for more bike lanes and safe
> road programs in the meantime, then I say all power to them.
Yes we need more bike lanes, etc.......but CM way of protest will NEVER get
the proper attention and will bring more resistance the help........I have
experienced it.........NO thanks to you.

>
> I'm sure the civil rights protests of the past were viewed as a nuisance
to
> some for their time as well.

Yes they were............and did they get what they wanted...........no!
Not with your help...........

s want a society with out cars, its not going to happen, get over
> it. What will happen with the publicity that you short sighted radicals
get,
> is there will be a wider devide between motorist and us. This will just
make
> it more dangerous to ride, discourage people from riding and undo all the
> good BV and simular groups have achieved.
>
>

06-28-2003, 03:26 PM

Critical Mass n. 1. Yet another excuse for irresponsible behavior.

06-28-2003, 03:38 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (ScottJL) wrote:

>Critical Mass n. 1. Yet another excuse for irresponsible behavior.

n 2. A collective noun for a "bunch of ****s".

06-28-2003, 06:01 PM

"Just a Cyclist" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> Yes it does.......but when it stomps on others rights......it has no place
> here or anywhere. CM is a bunch of losers who don't have any good thing to
....
>> They are not road cyclist......the are rogues and disruptors........that
> all.
....
> Yes we need more bike lanes, etc.......but CM way of protest will NEVER
get
> the proper attention and will bring more resistance the help........I have
> experienced it.........NO thanks to you.
....
> Yes they were............and did they get what they wanted...........no!
> Not with your help...........

You've made four erroneous assumptions here.

One is that all participants in a critical mass protest are hooligans.
Watch one one day and you'll see that while a good number of them are bike
couriers (who should know a thing or two about street riding as they are on
the road in the downtown core all day long), they are not all ruffians.

Two is the ignorant assumption number two is that your way is the only
way... the inherit arrogance in that statement is glaring. The are other
cyclists in this world, and they all have much as much right to their
opinion as you.

Three, that I am a ruffian and an active participant in critical mass
protests. I am not. The city I live in is well equipped for bicycles, and
while I still think things can be better, they are not so deficient that I
have felt the need to participate in a protest.

And lastly, you seem to have the bizarre idea that protests should be hidden
away so that people will not be inconvenienced with the message that is
trying to be conveyed. I wonder how far black rights, gay rights, or
anti-war movements would have gotten if people went so out of their way as
to not interrupt in the slightest the daily routine of the average schmoe
such as yourself.

06-28-2003, 06:55 PM

"SH" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au> wrote in message news:<3efd44af$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au>...
> To all cyclists who supported the Critical Mass ride

Critical Mass is nothing more then civil vandelism disguised as a
protest/event. Other road users think that cyclists are a nuisence,
and critical mass does nothing but justify that opinion.

If you want to change the way things are, take off your hemp cycling
jersy, turn down the phish cd and WORK to make it better.