Critical Mass

MSnider44

I hate them. It's going on right now outside my patio. Does anyone else have these nerds in their city? I live right in downtown San Diego on the busiest intersection in the city and these dorks on bikes make noise, clog up traffic, break traffic laws, scream and yell, and raise hell all along the city streets for hours. Cars are stuck at green lights for minutes on end.

I want to throw a long stick in the middle of one of their wheels while they're riding.

About 6 months ago, one of the idiots actually hit a pedestrian crossing the street and the dude that was walking hit his head on the concrete and got a severe head injury. I thought that would have put a stop to these nerds on bikes, but nope. The law enforcement still lets it happen - they actually get police escorts sometimes. Probably to stop guys like me from walking out to punch them in the face while they're riding their "cool, hipster, ten-speeds".

My rant for the night. Thank you.

81

i hate when bicycle clowns ride side by side on streets. single file folks.

and remember, ride with traffic, walk agaisnt. and if there is a sidewalk, for the love of god, use it if you are walking. :x

Go Beavers

What's interesting about Critical Mass is that it loses it's steam the more bikes are integrated into cities transportation planning. The more common riding a bike in the city becomes, the less of a statement Critical Mass riders have to make. One of the points is to confront people on the acceptance of a car-centric culture. The hostility towards Critical Mass is evidence of people taking on the attitude that the road is for cars and cars only, and the only acceptable way to be slowed down is by traffic congestion (from cars) or traffic control devices (stoplights/signs). Many people act like driving isn't a choice, that it's something they have to do--they have to have a car. When someone thinks this way, in a sense they give up that freedom that comes with seeing something as a choice. They sit in traffic jams, complain about traffic, gas prices, the cost of car ownership, and they risk their lives doing probably the most dangerous thing they'll do in their lifetime.

Cops give escort because it's not effective to bust riders who blow stoplight or do illegal maneuvers. This also takes away the rebelliousness of it, in a sense making it appear the cops are advocating it, and therefore it loses it's intensity and subsequently decreasing hostility on both sides. By the way, a mass of bike riders itself isn't illegal, only the individuals are who blow the lights, etc.

polaris_x

i take part in critical mass rides and am proud of it ...

it's always nice to read when someone wants to act violently towards a peaceful grassroots movement ... :(

Dissidentman

polaris_x wrote:

i take part in critical mass rides and am proud of it ...

it's always nice to read when someone wants to act violently towards a peaceful grassroots movement ... :(

Kanadians...

MSnider44

It's the last Friday of the month. These idiots will be at it again right outside my apartment. Yippee. I love seeing wannabe hipsters on ten speeds trying to act cool.

brianlux

Hate bikes? Someday most everybody will love them. We will often hear people say, "Thank God for my bike- sure beats walking! And the air is so much cleaner than it used to be!"

Peak oil-- the great equalizer of car-centrism.

Go Beavers

MSnider44 wrote:

It's the last Friday of the month. These idiots will be at it again right outside my apartment. Yippee. I love seeing wannabe hipsters on ten speeds trying to act cool.

Now you're just trying to get us riled up.

snow_board_rider

Critical mass riders in Seattle are a bunch of thugs. It's just like Hells Angles except they all have tight jeans. Ride at least 3 feet from my car or you may get hit.

small town beck

I hate hipsters.

My problem with cyclists is that they want respect on the road which I get, but they need to be a bit more respectful themselves. I don't actually know what this critical mass thing is but I was just complaining on my facebook the other night about cyclists. Well they make me nervous but they don't obey traffic laws and it pisses me off :evil:

I know it isn't all of them but I almost hit one the other night because he ran a stop sign. Roads are made for cars AND paid for by the people that drive on the roads.

MSnider44

I will attempt to get video....

brianlux

Instead of yet another endless and pointless PJ Forum argument, how about something sensible like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1PXvxh_6MI

decides2dream

fuck.
i thought you were insulting my ass.
:evil:

seriously, i had NO idea wtf you were talking about.
carry on.

small town beck

decides2dream wrote:

fuck.
i thought you were insulting my ass.
:evil:

seriously, i had NO idea wtf you were talking about.
carry on.

Go Beavers

small town beck wrote:

I hate hipsters.

My problem with cyclists is that they want respect on the road which I get, but they need to be a bit more respectful themselves. I don't actually know what this critical mass thing is but I was just complaining on my facebook the other night about cyclists. Well they make me nervous but they don't obey traffic laws and it pisses me off :evil:

I know it isn't all of them but I almost hit one the other night because he ran a stop sign. Roads are made for cars AND paid for by the people that drive on the roads.

Now my panties are in a bunch. I can say the same for all the idiot drivers. Just today I could've been hit by one because he ran the yield coming into the roundabout. I'm already in it, moving at a good clip, and I can see the jag-off gave a periphery glance while stuffing his face with a Big Mac. He comes into the roundabout, sees me, gives the double head swivel, slows down, but doesn't stop. I'm parallel to him at this point, and tell him to back off, and then he finally does.

Roads are made for vehicles, and bikes are included in the definition of vehicle. People who drive like the road is made for them are the worst. Roads are also paid for by cyclists through state and local taxes. If someone only owns a bike, they essentially only avoid state gas tax, which is pretty low, and federal gas tax. Federal gas taxes primarily go to interstate highways, if I'm not mistaken, and you don't see bikes on the interstate very often. The more people who ride bikes instead of driving saves on road maintenance, gives you cleaner air, and saves on everyones health insurance costs.

snow_board_rider

Go Beavers wrote:

small town beck wrote:

I hate hipsters.

My problem with cyclists is that they want respect on the road which I get, but they need to be a bit more respectful themselves. I don't actually know what this critical mass thing is but I was just complaining on my facebook the other night about cyclists. Well they make me nervous but they don't obey traffic laws and it pisses me off :evil:

I know it isn't all of them but I almost hit one the other night because he ran a stop sign. Roads are made for cars AND paid for by the people that drive on the roads.

Now my panties are in a bunch. I can say the same for all the idiot drivers. Just today I could've been hit by one because he ran the yield coming into the roundabout. I'm already in it, moving at a good clip, and I can see the jag-off gave a periphery glance while stuffing his face with a Big Mac. He comes into the roundabout, sees me, gives the double head swivel, slows down, but doesn't stop. I'm parallel to him at this point, and tell him to back off, and then he finally does.

Roads are made for vehicles, and bikes are included in the definition of vehicle. People who drive like the road is made for them are the worst. Roads are also paid for by cyclists through state and local taxes. If someone only owns a bike, they essentially only avoid state gas tax, which is pretty low, and federal gas tax. Federal gas taxes primarily go to interstate highways, if I'm not mistaken, and you don't see bikes on the interstate very often. The more people who ride bikes instead of driving saves on road maintenance, gives you cleaner air, and saves on everyones health insurance costs.

Roads are for licensed vehicles. Pay license fees and then pedal your little bike on the road we pay for. BTW, doesn't matter who's right when you go flying over a cars hood, you still lose.

Go Beavers

snow_board_rider wrote:

Go Beavers wrote:

small town beck wrote:

I hate hipsters.

My problem with cyclists is that they want respect on the road which I get, but they need to be a bit more respectful themselves. I don't actually know what this critical mass thing is but I was just complaining on my facebook the other night about cyclists. Well they make me nervous but they don't obey traffic laws and it pisses me off :evil:

I know it isn't all of them but I almost hit one the other night because he ran a stop sign. Roads are made for cars AND paid for by the people that drive on the roads.

Now my panties are in a bunch. I can say the same for all the idiot drivers. Just today I could've been hit by one because he ran the yield coming into the roundabout. I'm already in it, moving at a good clip, and I can see the jag-off gave a periphery glance while stuffing his face with a Big Mac. He comes into the roundabout, sees me, gives the double head swivel, slows down, but doesn't stop. I'm parallel to him at this point, and tell him to back off, and then he finally does.

Roads are made for vehicles, and bikes are included in the definition of vehicle. People who drive like the road is made for them are the worst. Roads are also paid for by cyclists through state and local taxes. If someone only owns a bike, they essentially only avoid state gas tax, which is pretty low, and federal gas tax. Federal gas taxes primarily go to interstate highways, if I'm not mistaken, and you don't see bikes on the interstate very often. The more people who ride bikes instead of driving saves on road maintenance, gives you cleaner air, and saves on everyones health insurance costs.

Roads are for licensed vehicles. Pay license fees and then pedal your little bike on the road we pay for. BTW, doesn't matter who's right when you go flying over a cars hood, you still lose.

Roads are for vehicles, and like I said, cyclists do pay for roads, probably more than their share since the impact of a bike on pavement isn't even measurable. So far I've been able to be right and avoid going over anyone's hood. You tend to develop a good sense of who's not paying attention/doesn't know how to drive. Being on a bike also allows you to tell someone up close to pull their head out of their ass, where compared to a car, you can only hope they see you flipping them off from a distance.

polaris_x

I wonder how some folks on here would feel if every commuting cyclist, walker or public transit person decided they wanted to drive to work? Sit in a congestion while spewing and breathing car exhaust.

small town beck

Go Beavers wrote:

small town beck wrote:

I hate hipsters.

My problem with cyclists is that they want respect on the road which I get, but they need to be a bit more respectful themselves. I don't actually know what this critical mass thing is but I was just complaining on my facebook the other night about cyclists. Well they make me nervous but they don't obey traffic laws and it pisses me off :evil:

I know it isn't all of them but I almost hit one the other night because he ran a stop sign. Roads are made for cars AND paid for by the people that drive on the roads.

Now my panties are in a bunch. I can say the same for all the idiot drivers. Just today I could've been hit by one because he ran the yield coming into the roundabout. I'm already in it, moving at a good clip, and I can see the jag-off gave a periphery glance while stuffing his face with a Big Mac. He comes into the roundabout, sees me, gives the double head swivel, slows down, but doesn't stop. I'm parallel to him at this point, and tell him to back off, and then he finally does.

Roads are made for vehicles, and bikes are included in the definition of vehicle. People who drive like the road is made for them are the worst. Roads are also paid for by cyclists through state and local taxes. If someone only owns a bike, they essentially only avoid state gas tax, which is pretty low, and federal gas tax. Federal gas taxes primarily go to interstate highways, if I'm not mistaken, and you don't see bikes on the interstate very often. The more people who ride bikes instead of driving saves on road maintenance, gives you cleaner air, and saves on everyones health insurance costs.

No need to get your panties in a bunch. There are plenty of idiot drivers as well. I respect everyone on the road so long as they obey the rules. Like the other day there was some douche on a motorcycle, he cut through the traffic lines and turned red where he wasn't supposed to. Crap like that pisses me off. Doesn't mean everyone on a motorcycle is a douche.

See what that guy did is wrong. I probably give too much space because I am so afraid of hitting someone on a bike.

I am not sure here how the provincial/federal gas tax breaks down here but more of those taxes go to paying for roads than cyclists do. Cyclists also piss me off when they are the sidewalk and I am walking... I don't walk in the fucking bike lane, do I??? Maybe it is just Ottawa, a lot of people here have major sticks up their asses.

I am not anti-cyclist and I am all about doing whatever we can for cleaner air. I wish I could walk to work instead of driving, believe me. When I lived in Calgary I always walked and it was just a great way to start and end the work day. Currently I don't have the option to walk to work.

MSnider44

I have a motorcycle, and here in CA, splitting lanes in traffic congestion is completely legal. However, most idiot motorcyclists do it way to recklessly.

small town beck

MSnider44 wrote:

I have a motorcycle, and here in CA, splitting lanes in traffic congestion is completely legal. However, most idiot motorcyclists do it way to recklessly.

It is this weird little intersection you have to cross to get onto highway. We were all stopped at a red, and he was behind me and pulled out (LOL I just realize how that reads ) and went out into the intersection (where it says no turns on a red) and was gone. Is that legal in CA? :? So that is splitting lanes I mean? Like you can do that?

I sort of want to learn to ride a motorcycle but I am also terrified. One of my guy friends said he was 100% sure it wasn't for me and to stay terrified.

MSnider44

Splitting lanes means you can weave in and out of traffic when it is stopped or slow moving on a road of any sort. No turn on red means just that, and cannot be done. Motorcycling is fun and a great way to save $$$. Just be smart like I did and take a class and take time before you start doing heavy riding. And don't get a crotch rocket.

small town beck

MSnider44 wrote:

Splitting lanes means you can weave in and out of traffic when it is stopped or slow moving on a road of any sort. No turn on red means just that, and cannot be done. Motorcycling is fun and a great way to save $$$. Just be smart like I did and take a class and take time before you start doing heavy riding. And don't get a crotch rocket.

Oh no I mean I realize you can't turn right on a red.

No I don't want a crotch rocket. I found one I liked but would have to take a class first etc. I doubt I will actually do it. The terrified bit will probably win out.

MSnider44

I was scared too, but if you take a class, you'll become comfortable on a bike in a matter of days. I'm more comfortable on my bike than I am in my truck at this point - but that's probably because I hardly ever get in my truck these days. It's the other people on the road you have to worry about, but if you're smart - you'll know how to avoid them.

Go Beavers

small town beck wrote:

Go Beavers wrote:

small town beck wrote:

I hate hipsters.

My problem with cyclists is that they want respect on the road which I get, but they need to be a bit more respectful themselves. I don't actually know what this critical mass thing is but I was just complaining on my facebook the other night about cyclists. Well they make me nervous but they don't obey traffic laws and it pisses me off :evil:

I know it isn't all of them but I almost hit one the other night because he ran a stop sign. Roads are made for cars AND paid for by the people that drive on the roads.

Now my panties are in a bunch. I can say the same for all the idiot drivers. Just today I could've been hit by one because he ran the yield coming into the roundabout. I'm already in it, moving at a good clip, and I can see the jag-off gave a periphery glance while stuffing his face with a Big Mac. He comes into the roundabout, sees me, gives the double head swivel, slows down, but doesn't stop. I'm parallel to him at this point, and tell him to back off, and then he finally does.

Roads are made for vehicles, and bikes are included in the definition of vehicle. People who drive like the road is made for them are the worst. Roads are also paid for by cyclists through state and local taxes. If someone only owns a bike, they essentially only avoid state gas tax, which is pretty low, and federal gas tax. Federal gas taxes primarily go to interstate highways, if I'm not mistaken, and you don't see bikes on the interstate very often. The more people who ride bikes instead of driving saves on road maintenance, gives you cleaner air, and saves on everyones health insurance costs.

No need to get your panties in a bunch. There are plenty of idiot drivers as well. I respect everyone on the road so long as they obey the rules. Like the other day there was some douche on a motorcycle, he cut through the traffic lines and turned red where he wasn't supposed to. Crap like that pisses me off. Doesn't mean everyone on a motorcycle is a douche.

See what that guy did is wrong. I probably give too much space because I am so afraid of hitting someone on a bike.

I am not sure here how the provincial/federal gas tax breaks down here but more of those taxes go to paying for roads than cyclists do. Cyclists also piss me off when they are the sidewalk and I am walking... I don't walk in the fucking bike lane, do I??? Maybe it is just Ottawa, a lot of people here have major sticks up their asses.

I am not anti-cyclist and I am all about doing whatever we can for cleaner air. I wish I could walk to work instead of driving, believe me. When I lived in Calgary I always walked and it was just a great way to start and end the work day. Currently I don't have the option to walk to work.

I wish people wouldn't ride on the sidewalk, either. I think sometimes that carries over when they were kids, and they were taught to ride on the sidewalk, thinking it's safer.

small town beck

Go Beavers wrote:

I wish people wouldn't ride on the sidewalk, either. I think sometimes that carries over when they were kids, and they were taught to ride on the sidewalk, thinking it's safer.

Maybe. Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with kids driving their bikes on the sidewalk, I am not some uber bitch. And by kids I mean those under ten or so.