April critical mass

Meet 6pm Central Library

6.10pm A discussion/ suggestion for revising the Manchester Critical Mass
guidlines. Please read the guidlines:

1. If the light goes on red as the ride approaches the lights we stop and
   wait for green.

2. If the light changes part way through the ride getting through around 2
   people per lane of oncoming traffic stop and cork the road. This basically
   means that they stand in the middle of that lane holding up their hand/ a
   sign saying 'thank you for waiting' so that cars will stop and let the
   ride stay together and go through the light safely. Thanking the drivers
   when everyone is through..
   we are trying to get drivers onto bikes not to hate us!!!

3. Slower riders and children and people with less confidence ride at the
   front of the ride and to the left hand side so that they can set the pace
   and help to stay together and also feel safer as they are less likely to
   be near traffic

4. We don't have a set route for critical mass, instead whoever is at the
   front at the time can choose where we go, so we take it in turns! just
   shout left or right or straight on in plenty of time!

5. Have fun! We are not about antagonising drivers, we want them to see
   how much fun bicycling is and get outta their cars and join us!!!

Email suggestions in advance or on the night. Some that have already been
suggested include:

• Make sure people stop for pedestrians crossing on a "green man"

• Get walkie talkies for a regular masser at the front and at the back so
  we can keep informed of any interruptions/problems etc

After the mass we shall ride to a park to play some games including
bicycle musical statues, wheel tig, bulldog and a few other
favourites...bring a packed lunch tea and some beers!

then some people might go to this at 10pm
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=808560526#!/event.php?eid=103616959675644

love nes

will there be wizards?

why?

Why!!!? Wwhhyy!!!!??? Why the bloody hell not!?

I attended mass for the first time in a good months last night. I took a break from the event after the stupid move of riding down the Mancunian way a while back. Having seen the mailings and this thread I had hopped that perhaps things had moved forwards, unfortunately it seems not.

Can anybody here explain to me how blocking pavements, trams and buses does anything in the slightest to advance the cause of cycling? How does riding down the road on a mobile phone or swigging booze from a can in your bottle holder promote us a a group deserved of being taken seriously by local planners, politicians or even motorists? I've seen groups of riders harp on about irresponsible motorists and then proceed to commit exactly the same crime themselves - Hypocrisy destroys our credibility!

I lasted 5 minutes of the ride last night. I gave up as we crossed Mosley St, blocking the tram and contrary to the earlier discussions pedestrians too. I stopped a little further down the road and talked to a couple of passes by. None of them could understand what was going on or how anybody on the ride really thought it would help their cause. Most people are not anti bike, they may have their own personal barriers to using them, but even in worst case scenario you can usually sell it to them on freeing up parking spaces.

My stance in life is that people should be free to do what they want, so long as it does not harm others. My fear now is that the mass has reached a point where it is actually doing more harm than good, creating animosity from pedestrians and metal box owners alike. I remain a committed cyclist and will gladly work on events such as the mural painting which I know won us a huge number of friends and supporters. I just can't condone the behaviour I'm seeing with Critical Mass any more.

will gladly work on events such as the mural painting

i feel honoured

I've marshalled your alley cats before now too. As I say I'm down with the cause but the Mass is now a joke.

again, i feel honoured and indebted

Stop being so precious. Do you actually have any response to the questions I raise or are you just going to play the hard done by?

i attended mass for the first time in a good months last night. I took a break from the event after the stupid move of riding down the mancunian way a while back. Having seen the mailings and this thread i had hopped that perhaps things had moved forwards, unfortunately it seems not.

Can anybody here explain to me how blocking pavements, trams and buses does anything in the slightest to advance the cause of cycling? How does riding down the road on a mobile phone or swigging booze from a can in your bottle holder promote us a a group deserved of being taken seriously by local planners, politicians or even motorists? I've seen groups of riders harp on about irresponsible motorists and then proceed to commit exactly the same crime themselves - hypocrisy destroys our credibility!

i lasted 5 minutes of the ride last night. I gave up as we crossed mosley st, blocking the tram and contrary to the earlier discussions pedestrians too. I stopped a little further down the road and talked to a couple of passes by. None of them could understand what was going on or how anybody on the ride really thought it would help their cause. Most people are not anti bike, they may have their own personal barriers to using them, but even in worst case scenario you can usually sell it to them on freeing up parking spaces.

My stance in life is that people should be free to do what they want, so long as it does not harm others. My fear now is that the mass has reached a point where it is actually doing more harm than good, creating animosity from pedestrians and metal box owners alike. I remain a committed cyclist and will gladly work on events such as the mural painting which i know won us a huge number of friends and supporters. I just can't condone the behaviour i'm seeing with critical mass any more.

+1

I don't attend for similar reasons + I don't share the same point of view with all the people attending.