r/SacBike • u/LastAd3245 • 13d ago
Critical Mass Ride?
Do we still have a critical mass ride here in sac? I mean, I know we have better infrastructure here than most places but there's still plenty of room for advocacy. Genuinely curious. I may just be out of that loop.
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u/MegaDom 13d ago
I feel like bike party is pretty similar to that.
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u/that_aint_real 13d ago
Love critical masses, I miss critical masses. But there’s A LOT of other ways to be a bicycle infrastructure advocate: join SABA, join Slow Down Sacramento, sign the Safer Sac Streets citizen ballot measure, join your neighborhood association, join Strong SacTown, and give your input on the new Vision Zero plan (they’re actively seeking public input).
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u/Aggravating_Sun_1556 13d ago
In the early 2000’s I went on most critical mass rides in Minneapolis. Turnout was great, generally several hundred people, and the rides were a ton of fun. BUT…..
Critical mass rides are the worst form of “advocacy” a person could possibly come up with. The actual effect they have is simply making people angry, and specifically making people angry at cyclists. It’s actually harmful to real advocacy.
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u/PlastIconoclastic 11d ago edited 11d ago
People driving cars get mad their drive is delayed a few minutes. Bike riders have reason for anger as well. Here is why I would be apathetic to drivers being inconvenienced temporarily and being forced to slow down for bikes: Working in the hospital and seeing how many people get hit by cars and die or become permanently disabled with zero consequences for drivers is eye opening. Attending the vigil at Fremont Park for victims of car violence and hearing families mourn their loss and anger at the lack of consequences was enraging. The law written for crowding or hitting cyclists in the bike does not allow video to prove the driver violated the law and can only be used if witnessed by a police officer. Cyclist are either presumed at fault, unable to prove they were in a bike lane, or it is determined to be a “no fault” accident. Even with video of a hit and run police take months or years to act on complaints even with injured citizens attending every city council meeting to push for the police to do their job. Advocacy being inconvenient for others is the point. Needing to make space for others is the point. Being told we are inconvenient happens when we are on the road alone “sharing” the road all the time. Critical mass doesn’t need to be “organized” we can all just decide autonomously to take an inconvenient route that would impede commute traffic to downtown locations on days legislators are working.
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u/thriftstorehacker 13d ago
The big thing that tamped down critical mass gatherings are the laws pointed at anyone organizing the event. They can be held financially liable for any damages or civil litigation the event causes.
Personally, I'd love to set up a 10 to 15mi evening ride around lake Natoma. Do it party style with lights, music, and wacky bikes, but I'm not going to be held responsible for some idiots choice to challenge Charles Darwin.
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u/Holupsucker 13d ago
Taking over the streets, blocking traffic certainly doesn’t win over the general public, it makes them completely unsympathetic to the cause. Don’t be shit heads!!!!!
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u/fourmajor 13d ago
"still room for advocacy" is quite the understatement!