UPDATE: Critical mass bike ride this Friday eve
Like riding your bike? Like riding around the city? Want to make a point about being able to ride around the city? This critical mass bike ride Friday may be for you.
From what I've learned, critical mass rides began in San Francisco years ago so riders could assert their rights to the road. The rides -- some regularly scheduled, some announced irregularly and last minute -- have sprung up around the country. Here's some more info on the rides in general.
Baltimore has already had a few. You may have noticed a bunch of riders in costumes just ahead of Halloween. Baltimore Spokes has posted information about the ride.
**Other good places to look for such rides, put on by Baltimore cyclists, and other info about the cycling community are blog.cyclosity.com and micacycling.net. **
Generally, more experienced riders will help out blocking intersections so everyone can stay together and get around okay.
This meet-up is Friday, post-Thanksgiving. Riders are meeting at 7 p.m. at the Washington Monument.
**Someone involved tells me that the ride should be slow and reasonable for any skill level. It should last an hour or two. And don't forget to mind your cycling manners! This ride isn't for troublemakers.**
So, do you plan to go? What do you think of the idea?
Chicago Tribune photo of a critical mass bike ride there in September
Comments
How long is the ride?
Posted by: Becca | November 23, 2009 6:16 PM
Baltimore has been having Critical Mass rides for close to a decade at least. It hasn't necessarily been a consistent group organizing it all that time as it isn't in most places, but they were happening weekly in the early 2000's.
Thanks for giving it some coverage in a positive or at least neutral light though.
Posted by: Bad Planner | November 23, 2009 6:48 PM
As a cyclist, love the idea. Don't like the time, 7pm, too dark and dangerous. Have it during the day.
Posted by: jim | November 23, 2009 9:11 PM
"CM" in B'more stands for Critical Manners. We show up and ride. We take a lane, but we don't block traffic.
If you want to cause trouble, STAY HOME!!!!
Posted by: n8 | November 24, 2009 9:20 AM
I can't go this week but I love love critical mass rides and hope they will continue on in Baltimore. Any word on if they will?
Posted by: ln.ef | November 24, 2009 2:53 PM
Yeah sounds like a great idea. I use to live in LA for awhile and they just had rides all the time everyday of the week. Then the bigger rides every month were even better.
I will join you guys, I'll be the one with the yellow/black speaker system mounted on my bike.
Posted by: Hector | November 24, 2009 9:19 PM