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| Andrew, Are you sure that Critical Mass's purpose is simply to "take the streets"? If that's the case, I think it's doomed to fail miserably.
The purpose of a mass ride is to try to raise awareness among drivers of cyclists and, in a sense, to try to win over hearts and minds (or at least to try to adjust mindsets).
I personally think we need more mass rides -- with more of an effort made to attract people of all walks of life (not just enthusiasts, mountain bikers and free-riders). There were lots of different people there the other night, but it would have been even better to see more kids, more older people, and simply more people who ordinarily drive their cars.
It should also be better coordinated. I don't think the point should be giving drivers the finger, but rather getting them out of their cars and onto their bikes. It's happened in other cities in Europe and I'm sure it can happen here too. |
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Member: #6986
 Ex-Brunchstress | | | |
| critical mass works in Chicago, of course our mayor is a big bike enthusiast too.. critical mass in Chicago is usually in the 10's of thousands of cyclists.. of all sorts as suggested above..
i think it's super big in San Francisco too!
keep trying.. Prague is hard because of its geography... |
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| I think Critical Mass is a good idea, but how it was done here the other night is not going to work. Too many drivers -- and the media -- were alienated in the process. Rather than protraying cyclists as normal people supporting a reasonable idea, CM (as it was done on Thursday) perpetuates the stereotype of Prague cyclists as anarchists on bikes ... Hooligans on Wheels.
I'd say future rides should have more structure and the overall concept should be better focused on the goal -- more cyclists, safer cycling, and better paths. |
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Member: #871
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Member: #4178
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Different groups can serve different purposes.
If you are not comfortable with the confrontational aspects of CM but want to support cycling in Prague, there is a place for you; see this post and consider getting involved with the Cyclists Club. http://www.expats.cz/prague/showthread.php?t=87309
Happy blogging, safe riding!
s |
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| Can anyone cite an example(s) where the participation of cyclists in Critical Mass rides resulted in tangible improvements to the lives of these cyclists? I am not being sarcastic. I just want to know if Critical Mass rides and the in-your-face approach they represent have achieved results somewhere, results that can be attributed directly to the CM ralllies themselves. |
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