Critical Mass

[joe]

Do you take part? What do you like? What don't you like?

[Doug]

What I like about Critical Mass is the number of participants there are worldwide and that the participants are peaceful.

What I don't like about it is the lack of promotion it receives. I only heard about it a few months ago and I've been biking for years. Had I known about it earlier, I would have participated a long time ago. I also don't understand the fact that there are so many people who do know about it and don't participate here in Toronto. The only way an event like this will work is continued participation and a big increase in numbers. There's no reason why ten thousand people can't join the Toronto Critical Mass, maybe even twenty or thirty thousand. With this much participation, social attitudes and government approaches would have a serious impact. Without it, well... not much gets done.

[Svend]

My last one was in Toronto was in November, I cheered one on from the sidelines in Austin TX for December. Wish I had a bike with me.
I like the weirdos who take part, some very strange looking bikes are on display for us. That surf bike is cool. The guy who plays trumpet loudly and clearly while wearing a suit and fedora. I like how it runs smoothly despite the lack of a plan. Riding on Canada's Main Drag - Yonge Street is a real high.
There isn't anything I dislike, I find myself grinning at the visual memories and the feeling of freedom.

[Tory]

I love critical mass.. but haven't been going recently mostly because others aren't going as much due to the winter factor, and it is the mass that attracts me.

But secondly.. School takes up ALL of my time.

... Waiting for summer

[Todd Tyrtle]

I love it and go when I can but that's dictated by where I am and what my work schedule is like. I haven't been since September.

I was interested to note that there doesn't seem to be one in Quebec City where I'll be the last Friday of this month. I also noticed that there seems to be a law prohibiting assemblies of more than 15 cyclists (I'll try to find the link again) so that could easily explain why it doesn't happen.

[Doug]

Todd,

It would be interesting if China had a law prohibiting assemblies of more than 15 cyclists! The whole point of the Mass is acceptance of a cycling culture. The irony of it is that if everyone showed up to the mass, we wouldn't need one because we'd have the necessary social acceptance! We all have our priorities. I saw a few hundred attend the Toronto Ice Race last night at Dufferin Grove Park. It was a blast. And yet, I'd say there was room for growth in this event, even ten thousand attendees just from local neighbourhoods, not counting out of towners. One more attending mass can make a big difference, really.

Please get back to us and post more about Quebec city's mass potential.

Cheers,
Doug

[Todd Tyrtle]

Okay - here's where the rule is mentioned. Specifically: "Circuler à la file quand on roule en groupe
La règle permet un maximum de 15 cyclistes dans une même file." which, if my poor French skills aren't failing me means that cyclists must travel in single file and in groups of no more than 15 at a time.

I agree - that would never fly in more cycling-centric countries. There are times in Toronto (I'm thinking College Street bike lanes) where there have been more than 15 people in the same general area just naturally. Of course we are talking about a much smaller (as in 1/10 the size) of Toronto. Still, it seems like a bylaw that would never hold up if challenged. I mean, in an ideal world where perhaps the cyclist to car ratio were inverted, it wouldn't work. And then there's the whole question of what do you do when you "accidentally" get that many people - tell them to go somewhere else? Tell them to gather in groups of 15? And if so, how much space do you put between?

All that said, I've heard mostly good things about cycling in Quebec. Apparently they are a smaller city size-wise but have about the same number of bike lanes. From what I've seen, many of those are actual dedicated lanes separated by a small curb as well. Despite much more severe weather I've also read that there are more winter cyclists (as a percentage) there as compared to here.

As for mass potential, that will be hard for me to say. My French is not really good enough for me to be likely to meet many folks outside of work, and the pharma industry where I work tends to be relatively conservative. I'm the only one in most companies I've consulted for other than the odd summer co-op student who chooses to commute by cycle. The companies overall tend to be fairly good in terms of facilities, though, as they are supposedly in the business of peoples' health so there's almost always bike parking and fitness centres (showers).

Looks like in the past, Critical Mass hasn't been well received in Montreal. That said, it is an old article and there are flickr photos and other signs that it is still happening - at least in the warmer months.