[*BCM*] Why do you ride in CM?

Anne Wolfe goannego at yahoo.com
Mon Mar 7 10:28:53 EST 2005


I liked riding in CM because I liked the concept of peaceful, fun rides to no where in
particular with a group of new and interesting people.  I still like that concept.  What
I don't like is the execution, which turned into confrontive, aggressive people setting
poor examples of what cyclists are really like and commiting noise pollution with
boomboxes.
--- turtle <turtle at zworg.com> wrote:
> Did I miss the answer here?  Why did you LIKE CM?
> 
> goannego at yahoo.com,
> 	Boston Critical Mass <list at bostoncriticalmass.org> wrote:
> > 
> > I used to like riding in CM.  A lot.  But.....
> > 
> > --- turtle <turtle at zworg.com> wrote:
> > > Ok, another question for those who LIKE riding in Critical Mass:
> > > 
> > > When you choose to participate in Critical Mass rides what is your
> > > PRIMARY motivating philosophy?
> > > 
> > > • Protesting (using civil disobedience) specific laws that I see as
> > > discriminating against bicyclists.
> > I haven't figured out how CM actually does this.  Because if they laws get
> > enforced
> > against CM, they squeal, and if they don't there doesn't seem to be much civil
> > disobedience.
> > 
> > > • Protesting (by mere presence on the streets) policies that encourage
> > > automobile use.
> > 
> > I do this every day when i ride my bike around.  Not to mention inviting lots of
> > friends
> > to come biking with me.
> > 
> > > • Demonstrating (in a positive way) that biking is a fun, healthy,
> > > social, and more efficient/convenient way to travel.
> > 
> > See prior answer.
> > > • Hanging out with my friends and partying!
> > 
> > See two answers ago.
> > 
> > > • Protection!  Same reason small fish swim in schools.
> > 
> > I don't feel protected in a CM.  This is because a) there always was an element
> > that was
> > intent on being jerks, which didn't make me feel safe either in their presence,
> > or that
> > other people would not feel aggravated and insult/consider harming me/us.
> > And b) even if that element behaved, the slowness, noise pollution of the boom
> > boxes, and
> > general inattention of CM riders made me feel less safe than just pedalling away
> > on my
> > own.
> > 
> > > • Revenge...  "Two wheels good!  Four wheels bad!"
> > 
> > Revenge?  Not my motivation for much, and certainly not for riding my bike.
> > 
> > > • I like to be the center of attention!  (See my purple hair and/or my
> > > couch-bike!)
> > 
> > Definitely not for me.
> > 
> > > • It's the best way to cruise for chicks/guys.
> > 
> > My boyfriend would be appalled.  And come to think of it, so would I.
> > 
> > > • I never really thought about it.  I guess I'm just a lemming!
> > > 
> > > Any secondary reasons?
> > > 
> > > -Turtle
> > > who wants to assure everyone that some of those answers are intended to
> > > be humorous!
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Boston Critical Mass mailing list
> > > list at bostoncriticalmass.org
> > > http://bostoncriticalmass.org/list
> > > 
> > 
> > 
> > -------------------------------------------------
> > I know exactly what I want right now.  I want a hot shower, and I want the
> > Clash. - me.  3/4/05, 7:42 a.m.
> > 
> > goannego.com - for the latest in where she's gone this time
> > 
> >  
> > 
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> > 
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> > 
> > 	
> > 		
> > __________________________________ 
> > Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! 
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> > _______________________________________________
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> > list at bostoncriticalmass.org
> > http://bostoncriticalmass.org/list
> > 
> 
> "One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we
> seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal.  We must
> pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means." - Martin Luther King Jr.
> 


-------------------------------------------------
I know exactly what I want right now.  I want a hot shower, and I want the Clash. - me.  3/4/05, 7:42 a.m.

NEW E-MAIL!  goannego at gmail.com

 

 













	
		
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