Except Critical Mass aren't calling for any changes to the laws, that I've heard of... they're just out in the streets fucking up traffic for the sake of fucking up traffic.

LOL at comparing critical mass to the civil rights movement they couldn't be more different.

Tell that to the Black People that the denial of their civil rights ranks on the same significance as the bicycle>automobile movement.

Duh, I need a sarcasm smilie.

LOL at worrying that critical mass is going to prevent an child from seeing their dieing parent.

LOL at worrying that critical mass is going to gridlock an ambulance and kill someone.

Hmmm I openly admit I'm being a drama queen, yet 3 people still respond.

Yep, reading comprehension isn't taught in school anymore.

I never said either of those things. The cyclists are just an annoyance, one that doesn't effect me I'd never be downtown at that time on a Friday.

You're the one comparing it to the civil rights movement. I really don't see how pissing off motorists is going to get them out of their cars and onto bikes. Someone will get hurt from this it's only a matter of time before someone clubs someone with a tire iron or worse.

When they figure out a way to get building materials onto a bicycle and a bike that can get me from Langley - Surrey - Richmond - Burnaby - Vancouver - Coquitlam - Surrey - Langley in a reasonable amount of time and carry all the materials and tools I need I'll get out of my truck. Until then I'll keep burning 120 liters of fuel every couple days. Oh, i also need a car seat in that bike as I pickup and drop my son off at daycare everyday. :)

anyone up for this??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LHWaUILKms&feature=fvst

Blacks, gays and women, as cited above, were/are fighting for rights they were denied.

Critical Mass cyclists have been denied no rights... in fact, most cities have gone to lengths to accommodate cyclists. No motorists that I know of have any issues with or prejudices against cyclists *as such*... only the arrogant ones who flaunt the rules of the roads and create hazards for others.

Here come the hicks! :D

I prefer redneck, hick is derogatory. :p

My reading comprehension is fine. It's just that your little disclaimer won't protect your skewered POV.

The thing that pisses me off about most cyclists is their total disregard for the rules of the road. They will abide whichever law that benefits their ride.

Eg: Lane splitting; When you're making a right turn and they pop out of nowhere using a non-designated lane. Fucking idiots, I've been in shouting matches with more than a few.
Eg: 4 way stops don't mean squat to these fools either.

Werd. Cyclists do take advantage of the fact that the onus of responsibility for road safety rests within the motorist > cyclist. It's what makes the Critical Mass movement so audacious.

It's almost parallel to a papparazzi antagonizing a celebrity knowing that any actions taken by the celeb would result in lawsuit against that celeb.

I understand and acknowledge that Cyclists' lives are not the best, and that life kind of sucks for them. Bicycle routes are being provided more and more frequently nowadays, especially along main commuting corridors. The Burrard Bridge cyclists lane is something that I personally feel is pointless and useless, but bicyclists seem to keep pushing for, and it seems like it'll finally get its day.

The continuing argument that I see in this thread is the right to protest: The right to protest against something you believe is unjust or for something you believe will properly represent equality.

And it is true, you have that right. But to make a protest you must be accountable. You must inform people. You must give notice.

Political rallies or other groups which know they will or otherwise intend to disrupt traffic must file permissions, including demonstration routes, and contact information for those who are organizing or who will be held responsible.

Because critical mass is the regularly-occuring version of a flash-mob, it ends up resulting exempt. And this is the essential problem.

Yes, it is true that a bicycle can get out of the way faster than a car if it is necessary for them to. However, 100+ bicycles spread out over 2-3 blocks cannot. Disrupting traffic for 4 light cycles while biking down Robson (when I observed it last summer) does not seem to be following the rules of the road.

That's stupid...that just fools them, doesn't hurt them at all!

I'm up for it, using a real rope.

actually what we need to do is lure them onto a bridge then blow the bridge up.

http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/bc/...703/story.html

HAHAHAHA

Vancouver cyclists face ticketing blitz
Denise Ryan, Vancouver sun
Published: Friday, May 29, 2009
Cycling
Cycling
Ian Lindsay
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VANCOUVER -- There is good news and bad news for Vancouver cyclists.

The bad news is that during June, Bike Month in the city, traffic cops will be ticketing cyclists who violate the rules of the road.

The good news is that they’ll mostly be handing out “information tickets” aimed at educating bikers.

The fake tickets list all the possible violations bikers can commit — and just how much they’d be on the hook for if they get caught when the police are more focussed on enforcement than education.

Cyclists can be dinged for $109 for riding without a bell, another $109 for not having a red reflector on the rear of the bike or a light on the front. Talking on a cellphone while wheeling down the road is also worth $109.

Forget doubling your kid on the back; that’s another $109. And no, you can’t grab on to the back of a car for a free tow. Nor can you stand up on your pedals to get up that hill — if you don’t have your butt in the seat, that’s another $109.

If you bump into a pedestrian and cycle away without turning over your particulars, that’s considered a hit-and-run — and it’s a criminal offence.

“A lot of cyclists, and usually it’s the casual cyclist, may not realize they are subject to specific requirements under the Motor Vehicles Act legislation,” said Lindsey Houghton of the Vancouver Police Department.

Houghton added, “By conducting this information campaign we want to educate cyclists rather than punish them. We want to see people on bikes obeying the rules of the road.”

Houghton said that 3,730 violation tickets at $29 a pop were issued to cyclists without helmets between Jan. 1, 2008, and May 1, 2008, .

Arno Schortinghuis, president of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, said many cyclists are infuriated by the campaign.

“It’s discriminatory. You would never see a police officer pulling over a car to hand out the rules of the road to a driver.”

Schortinghuis said he believes the campaign is misguided, and would prefer a campaign that addresses both drivers of vehicles and cyclists.

“Yes, cyclists are breaking the law if they don’t follow the rules of the road, but it’s not the cyclists that are going to kill or injure the driver of the car,” he said. “We want cyclists, drivers and pedestrians to be very well-educated and get where they are going as safely as possible.”

He said the money might have been better spent by policing bike routes for drivers who speed or cut around diverters meant to keep the routes car-free.

Schortinghuis complies with all VPD and city cycling bylaws, he said, including a few he considers ridiculous.

“The bell rule is totally absurd,” he said. “A bell is going to do nothing to alert a car that you’re coming. The biggest focus should be on changing behaviour of drivers.”

He said Vancouver could use improvements, such as vulnerable road user legislation, to protect cyclists, but “it’s probably safer than a lot of people think.”

He recommends bikers educate themselves through safety courses such as the one the cycling coalition offers called Streetwise.

Houghton said that during Bike Month while the information campaign is under way, real violation tickets will be issued “with a very high degree of discretion.”

While he agrees that drivers also need to be educated, he said the focus of the campaign is on bikers. “If we save one life, it’s worth it.”

dryan@vancouversun.com

Some cycling offences

Offence Ticket amount

Cycle without helmet $29

Ride cycle on sidewalk $109

Ride two abreast on roadway $109

Ride while not astride seat $109

Carry passengers on cycle $109

Ride while attached to vehicle $109

Ride without hands on handlebar $109

Cycle without due care $109

and attention

Cycle without reasonable $109

consideration

Source: Vancouver Police Department Information Ticket

Wasn't critical mass today? Anyone get caught in it?

^ yes. it seemed like environmentalists with bicycles.... that had a big chant... few good looking girls too - sad they belong to such cult..

Totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup:

Actually, that IS the good news... at least for the good, law-abiding cyclists, who have to suffer the idiot couriers and Critical Mass assholes giving them all a bad name.