Critical Manners... Rival against Critical Mass

[buddha_bellies]

So this Friday, City of Vancouver is going to have its first Critical Manners (http://criticalmanners.wordpress.com/)ride. This stem from some really negative media attention from Critical Mass ride 2 weeks ago.

I think Jennifer, the organizer is doing a great job. I hope this will go well.

Has there been any backlash against Critical Mass in your area?

[Mr. Bloom]

Good luck Vancouver! I'm glad to see someone putting effort into a positive outreach to make a point in bridging the cyclist/driver chasm.

[PscyclePath]

So this Friday, City of Vancouver is going to have its first Critical Manners (http://criticalmanners.wordpress.com/)ride. This stem from some really negative media attention from Critical Mass ride 2 weeks ago.

I think Jennifer, the organizer is doing a great job. I hope this will go well.

Has there been any backlash against Critical Mass in your area?

I've led Critical Manners rides here in Little Rock for the past two years, and they've been a positive influence on cycling... it's a good way for new riders to come out and learn to ride in the evening traffic under supervision, and it's getting local motorists used to seeing well-behaved cyclists blending in the same traffic.

First Wednesday of every month, we ride rain or shine... even on the outskirts of one of the Texas hurricanes last year ;-)

Tom

[shootingstar]

Hope this new ride works out. I suspect its attendance might initially draw less numbers simply because there are some folks who like to rebel, meaning just break road rules for the hell of it --within the safety of a crowd.

Critical Mass rides recently have caused enough furor here that organizer for grand opening tomorrow of the bike route deck built under the Canada Line...is trying to control the number of cyclists attending...if you can believe this. Ridiculous.

[Tri Girl]

We don't have a Critical Mass ride around here. From what I've read about them, I'd never do a Critical Mass ride, but I'd sure like to participate in a Critical Manners ride!!! :)

[witeowl]

I haven't participated or even seen one, but I've heard a lot of backlash. Critical mass shouldn't be about bullying car drivers and acting like gang members on wheels (which is how a lot of people view it), but about promoting shared use.

As a response to this sort of public opinion, I'm all for Critical Manners. :)

[maryellen]

Has there been any backlash against Critical Mass in your area?

I live in NYC so not enough keystrokes to tell that story. I do like the idea of a Critical Manners ride.

[Deborajen]

There was a Critical Mass ride in my hometown earlier this year. It was during our city's huge annual weeklong celebration downtown so it got in the way of already congested streets. I didn't hear of any backlash but that couldn't have been good for promoting harmony between cars and bicycles - ? I'd never heard of Critical Manners. That sounds like a better idea.