Critical Mass stops at Granville Bridge no problem here

When I first moved back to Vancouver I  heard about critical mass and thought it was a great idea and while there has been a little bit of controversy over the years you just can’t stop 1,000+ people who want to ride down the city streets. I finally afforded a bike last fall and I took it to an awesome mass bike ride that end on the drive. The drivers seem to know what was going on and were more or less co-habiting with the biking masses of Vancouver and wow what a great way to see the city. A nice leisurely pace, a few hills and beautiful weather.

While we had a brutal spring, I was really looking for a nice relaxing ride through the city.

I had a few issues with this last ride. Frist there seemed to be a number of angry drivers who want 1,000 bicyclists to just stop what they were doing, not really that easy, hence the name critical mass.

Nice View Conflicted Feelings

Also while being a corker on the Robson St. hill, heading westbound a woman wanted me to stop the entire parade so she could cross the street… She fully supported the movement but yet couldn’t wait the five minutes for bikes to pass. She was horribly inconvenienced and getting quite agitated while this was a movement she fully supported?

On the other hand I always liked the mantra we’re not blocking traffic we are traffic. Hey drivers, don’t get annoyed with our so-called protest if you can’t share the road, but blocking the Lions Gate Bridge in both directions to smoke a bowl really didn’t sit well with me either. ‘Cuz regardless of whether your bike or a car blocking a main bridge for a 1/2 hour just isn’t cool regardless of who or what you are.

If any Critical Mass feels the need to block the Lions Gate Bridge I will not be part of it.

In Conclusion

So drivers remember we only do this once a month for a couple of hours on a Friday night and it is actually a very liberating thing and you should try it out.

Critical Mass is intended to be a celebration, not an opportunity to cause trouble. Those who want to try to tie up traffic as much as possible and be confrontational with motorists are missing the point. Remember we’re not blocking traffic we are traffic. I am sure we can all enjoy this amazing city together…

See you at the next mass

Tags: bike, bridges, Critical Mass, Photography, politics, rides