Fallout From the Critical Mass.
Over at an Atlanta cycling based web forum. Faster Mustache. There was an interesting point/counter point discussion on the Critical Mass that occurred Friday. I spoke with my dad who witnessed the San Fran Critical Mass the same day. He spoke of the herd mentality, and how these things can go either really well. or really badly.
First off I love the variety in the cycle culture found in this city.
I just moved here to atl recently, and I have been on my bike every day. Talking to people, riding with people, and visiting bike shops. One thing I have learned is a lot of people have a generally different cycling/more aggressive style than I am used to seeing in other parts of the country. At first when everyone I met had a, “I have been hit by a car,” story I thought it was only drivers, but after a little observation I learned it was just as much our fault as cyclist as theirs as drivers.
The Atlanta CM was an interesting experience for me. I have ridden in cm’s in several different cities and countries. And have gone so far as help organize one, but this was easily one of the largest I have been involved in. Of course when you have this any people on bikes in a herd you have issues. I tried to do my part to do what I could when I could to help cars that were lost in the pack make it to a safe exit point, but with communication being at a premium it proved difficult. Plus the fact I didn’t know any of the other riders it also proved to only make it more difficult. Only while blocking intersections was I able to learn who to talk to to help things flow a little more smoothly. While CM’s don’t have a leader there are those who provide a sort of back bone and structure. I thought while riding some of the side streets that this mass was going great, but once we got to Ponce de leon. It did become painfully obvious why a lot of cyclist say they can’t ride down Ponce alone. And I was able to see just how a large Mass can be harmful to the cyclist/driver interaction in a city. The angry reaction from drivers at the intersection near the Majestic was a perfect example considering the fact we blocked traffic for nearly seven minutes or about 3-4 traffic light cycles.
I noted from several people that this one was a lot more spread out than than usual as well. But watching some of the cyclist involved it would have made me uncomfortable to ride a lot closer to some of them given their skill level. After announcing in a clear loud voice, “On your left,” several people didn’t look or check their blind spots.
Though riding is healthy for the human psyche it cannot cure all ills. All riders carry some weight of diseased spirit. Still, better we ride than vegetate.
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I’d like to hear more about differences in bike habits between American cities. Atlanta’s the only place I’ve ever biked.
Hey Court, glad to hear you’re in Atlanta. I’ve never ridden a “mass,” mostly b/c I have always had to work (whatever crappy job i’ve had) on Friday nights. I actually saw the mass going by last Friday (on 5th street) and was telling all of my co-workers what was going on. I had ridden to work (and always do) that day and it was cool to tell people why 200 cyclists were riding by the restaurant. I have some objections to CM (mostly due to “share the road” aspects) but i have to say that it looks like a lot of fun. I must agree that many (a select amount) of “regular” cyclists in ATL have a renegade/aggressive riding stlye (i’m possibly guilty myself) but if you ride through this extremely car-centric environment for enough time, you can get pretty aggressive, physically (riding style) and mentally. You can only get told to “get on the sidewalk,” “get off the fucking road,” or “you’re not a fucking vehicle,” enough times by commuters/redneck assholes enough times before you snap a snarky comment back or possibly start a screaming match. Recently, i’ve very calmly informed people about the legalities of street riding and they’ve been much more receptive than my previous screaming bouts. Advice: I live off Ponce (directly behind “The Local”) and NEVER ride on it aside from crossing the street or extreme speed bursts to a side street coming from somewhere. Please, do not ride on Ponce, it is a death trap. People drive entirely too fast and have little regard for anyone on a bike. Give me a holler if you ever see me on the streets on an early ninties blue Cannondale or a tired flat black P.O.S. road bike (hopefully convert to a fixed at SOPO in the next few months). i am a 5′ 9″ white dude with a shaved head and will gladly talk shop or grab a beer at the nearest pub. P.S. - St. Charles is an excellent alternative route around most of Ponce and Virginia is a good route as well. Be safe. See ya around and welcome to Atlanta. Mike. PPS - Sorry for all of the ( ….).
At first when I got to Atlanta I also found myself getting hostile several times, and I actually went so far as to escalate several situations with drivers after being blown at times. After talking with several cyclist who had been hit by vehicles. I was forced to look at my own behavior and rethink things before I ended up with my own “I got hit by a car story”.