Yes, it’s a protest. Just like with protests involving pedestrians, the streets get filled and people “ignore the rules”.
Then why did you bring up the Pride parade? You said: “I’ve seen cars in large groups going through red lights and driving the wrong way during similar events. In fact, just this past weekend, I saw numerous cars going through red lights at a local Pride Parade.” That is a permitted event. Driving the wrong way can be permitted by a, ya know, permit. Bringing this up then saying “of course their breaking the rules” only proves my point. Bikes are doing this, cars do not unless it is done legally with a permit. And you saying “ya I know” means you knew that but presented it anyway. That’s extremely dishonest.
If you set up automated speed cameras, red light cameras, DUI checkpoints, and school zone blitzes, suddenly you realize that it’s more than just a few drivers behaving badly. And that’s during normal traffic, not during a protest.
And I’m sure you’d find the same with biking. Many bikers break laws about where to cross or how to handle intersections and are just ignored all the time.
It gets a large number of cyclists together, making riding safer than as individuals. It also gets people who were too afraid to cycle around traffic a safe space to ride.
Do these people not know about side streets or bike paths or anything else? There are places to bike outside of traffic. If anything this is making it worse because you’re not just driving around traffic, you’re driving into it and trying to control it. This is a weak reason to but people in danger.
The visual of a large group brings attention to the needs of cyclists. “Nobody rides a bike” NIMBYs take note when these events happen.
So the only way to show people that bikers exist is by massively disrupting traffic and causing safety issues? Yah, it brings attention to them, but not the good kind.
It puts pressures on municipal governments to take notice of the demand for safer cycling infrastructure. Some would argue that Critical Mass events are what sped up the development of cycling infrastructure around the world.
Or it shows the government that bikers don’t listen to traffic laws and do whatever they want. This doesn’t make the government do anything except maybe arrest some bikers for breaking the law.
See, this has been going on for 35 years and the only thing you can point at is maybe it might have possible sped up some cycling infrastructure. Maybe. Yah, that’s not a lot of progress for 35 years of this nonsense. There are much more effective ways.
As with other protests, this is normal. And those traffic rules… are only there because cars make public spaces unsafe. People don’t need traffic rules.
This is just wild… People need traffic rules. Have you ever been in a large crowded city? Do you know all the foot TRAFFIC rules? There is literally a section of code on just this. And yes, cars exist, but what do you propose to avoid needing these rules, have no cars at all? That’s absurd. Look at rural areas and tell me how that works.
On the flip side, would you prefer that every single cyclist in that group STOP at every single red light and stop sign? I’m a massive fan of that type of malicious compliance, so I’d be OK with that, too.
No, I would prefer they don’t disrupt an entire city for some performance that has gone on for 35 years with nothing to show for it. It’s just an excuse to protest and “stick it to the drivers.”
When I see protests, even when I don’t know the motivations or goals, I still respect and value the right to protest.
Ok, now imagine you are late to pick up a family member from the hospital, or you’re going to miss an interview, or a million other things. With a little empathy, you can quickly realize how this would cause issues for people, all for what? I can respect the goals, but I don’t respect the way they have chosen to reach those goals.
And if someone “hates cyclists” because of a protest like Critical Mass, they probably hate black people, gays, Palestinians, workers, the disabled, unions, First Nations, environmentalists, animal rights, and other groups of people who deserve to be heard and seen through public protests.
Jesus, you just went nuclear there huh? If someone hates cyclists for doing something like this they must be a bigot and racist? Tell me more about how you’re willing to empathize with the other side to reach a conclusion, FFS. You’ve decided that drivers are the enemy and so now they suddenly don’t matter at all. You can just assume they’re racist, sexist, anti-worker, hate animals, etc all from not liking bikers from this protest. Wow.
Maybe stop being so emotional and think for a moment. You can be pro-animal rights and think that what an animal rights group does is wrong. Are you really incapable of understanding that basic concept? Or can I just do anything under the banner of “cyclists’ rights” and call you a racist if you disagree with my actions?
Come on, what is this nonsense?
You’re really close to what I’m saying. Cars don’t do this. That was what I said. Many people, yourself included said cars do this. They don’t. You can say it was sarcasm now but this didn’t’ seem sarcastic as it was your response to saying cars don’t drive through red lights like the bikes are.
They don’t have the same rules. There are tons of rules that apply only to vehicles and plenty of laws that apply only to bikes or people. I don’t know here you’re getting this concept from unless this is more sarcasm.
So cop cars, ambulances, rural areas without public transportation, they should just let people do whatever, no rules? Walk right into the road as cars do by?
They don’t… Cars don’t use cross walks to cross the road. Where are you getting this concept from? Do you use a turning single when walking? How often do you get your bike inspected for road worthiness to make sure a wheel doesn’t come off and cause an accident? Cars can’t drive on the sidewalk, I see bikes doing this… This is so baseless and wild. You’re just literally making things up.
I’d like to see these studies. A car can break the law by swerving into an empty oncoming lane to avoid hitting a person that jumping into the road. That is a VERY valid excuse to break the rules. Why are you ignoring basic reality?
So bikes should be allowed on the freeways and criss-cross up and down the highway? People should be able to just walk down the middle of the highway? Do you live in reality man?
The road was made to be used by both, not just one. But we should share? So you think cars should be able to drive on bike paths too right? Otherwise it would be “discrimination.”
Roads are built for cars to use first, especially some highways. Sorry if that upsets you but it’s reality. This idea that bikes should be allowed to just crowd a freeway or drive wherever they want without any rules and impede people, businesses, and emergency services is delusional.
Then I asked:
And you said:
You’re either a troll or you don’t live in reality. I’m done trying to talk to someone who has no problem being so extremely dishonest and delusional. If you really, truly think that the only way to show someone that biker safety issues exist is by causing massive disruption to people, businesses, and emergency services while putting lives at risk there’s no convo to be had.
I didn’t even bother reading the rest of your comment. You don’t live in reality. You think people and cars have the same laws to follow? You think there is never a valid reason for a car to break traffic law, even to save a life? You think the only way to let people know there are bike safety issues is by putting lives in danger and disrupting emergency services?
No, you are wrong and you a delisional. Or a troll. So hard to tell these days.