[*BCM*] Fwd: [massbike] Open letter to the Cycling Community

[Anne Wolfe]

Oh, and I think it is also worth noting that the Mass Bike posting doesn't
advocate trying to stop Critical Mass.  It just advocates that mainstream
cycling groups, those who have an agenda that includes following the rules,
creating a safer environment for people to ride, and certain other things
which are currently at odds with what the anarchic results of the current
incarnations/perceptions of CM actively work to distance themselves from CM
through a combination of means, including not riding, actively speaking out
against CM, and declaring that CM is incompatible with the stated aims of
these organisations.  And thus, they can build a cohesive whole of their own
community. Define community how you will, but each has their own norms,
goals and rules.  If the community is defined as "all cyclists" then
whatever CM does won't matter - they're still in the community.  If the
community is defined as "all cyclists working for law abiding cycling and
following certain rules" then CM by definition (no leaders, no rules) isn't
going to fit.  The extent to which the separation of the two happens is
going to depend on what is desired.

They're defining their community.  CM is defining its community.  Cyclists
will start to have to choose.   Or not.  The option is indeed open to make
CM adhere to the rules proposed by the MB posting.  But I think most CM
people on this list won't want to do that, or will be thrwarted by the Mass
who don't .  But the choice is still there.

2008/7/29 Anne Wolfe <goannego at gmail.com>

> As fun as that looks, the flip side of it is that it then still contributes
> the same negative issues that we've been talking about and that the Mass
> Bike posting discusses.  A group of people, under the CM banner, on the
> sidewalk, on private property, cycling round and round and having to be
> kicked out by security.  No respect for any rules or laws, that's the
> argument that is going to be put forward.  Couple it in with the "riding
> down the halls of MIT" and other such actions and it is incredibly easy to
> see where the negativity is coming from regarding the public and CM.  Sure,
> it is fun to ride around the fountains.  I've done it myself.  But if I was
> standing there and 20+ bikes started going round and round and round,
> intimidating me and having to be kicked out by security, the "disown CM,
> embrace Courteous Mass" movement just picked up another adherent, and yet
> another "those intimidating jerks of CM" starts making the rounds.
>
> 2008/7/29 Daniel Whitlow <dwhitlow at mit.edu>
>
> For people without facebook or people too lazy to sign on, here's the link:
>>
>>
>> http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v310/205/124/1022199047/n1022199047_115207_3704.jpg
>>
>> Out of curiousity, does anybody else have any pictures from that ride?
>> Was hoping for a few to remember my first CM by.
>>
>> On Mon, Jul 28, 2008 at 11:43 PM, . nevele <symboliceon at hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> > regarding all of the negative things being said regarding CM (trust me,
>> i
>> > have plenty of my own negative feedback) i'd just like everyone to see
>> what
>> > happened at the end of the last ride, unfortunately i think you need a
>> > facebook membership to see it:
>> > http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=115207&id=1022199047
>> >
>> > organized rides don't end like this; they don't randomly end up at the
>> > fountain in the christian science church park with some folks riding
>> around
>> > it, and some riding inside the plooms (plumes? damnit.) of water.
>> ofcourse
>> > the 30 or so of us who were left were promptly kicked the hell out by
>> > "security" but you just can't write that shit.
>> >
>> > unorganized, chaotic rides like CM aren't necessarily supposed to be
>> about
>> > political gain, sometimes it's just about personal experiences.
>> >
>> > i remember my first ride.. it was like magic. i was riding this BMX that
>> i
>> > was scared as shit to ride around the city (had my first dooring
>> experience
>> > on that lil guy) and the mass made me feel empowered. then i ditched
>> that
>> > bike and got a big ol' trek mtb and rode the mass a bunch of times,
>> feeling
>> > more and more empowered each time. eventually the rear axle on that
>> beast
>> > snapped and cracked the frame so i ended up with my fixie Moto a couple
>> > years ago.
>> >
>> > point being that the origin of the confidence i have while slicing
>> through
>> > traffic like a ripping hot chefs knife through warm butter is critical
>> mass
>> > and i teach others what i have learned. without the fun, sorta rebelious
>> > nature of CM, i feel as tho a lot of folks just wouldn't ride.
>> >
>> > jb
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >> From: jym at econet.org
>> >> To: list at bostoncriticalmass.org
>> >> Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:13:54 -0700
>> >> Subject: Re: [*BCM*] Fwd: [massbike] Open letter to the Cycling
>> Community
>> >>
>> >> =v= Oh joy, another "Critical Mass Needs To End" opinion, on a
>> >> Seattle blog:
>> >>
>> >> http://seattlest.com/2008/07/28/seattle_critical_mass_needs_to_end.php
>> >>
>> >> Naturally, it proceeds from false premises.
>> >>
>> >> =v= Critical Mass is turning 16 in a few months. Old enough
>> >> to drive, but smart enough not to.
>> >> <_Jym_>
>> >>
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>> >> list at bostoncriticalmass.org
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>> >
>> >
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Thank you for your time,
>> Daniel Whitlow
>> _______________________________________________
>> Boston Critical Mass mailing list
>> list at bostoncriticalmass.org
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>>
>
>
>
> --
> Anne M. Wolfe, LL.M.
> Mobile: ( 07805) 456901
> "If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and
> cover head. Please do not taunt Happy Fun Ball."
>



-- 
Anne M. Wolfe, LL.M.
Mobile: ( 07805) 456901
"If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and
cover head. Please do not taunt Happy Fun Ball."
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