Let's everyone calm down about Critical Mass Rides.

 

Everyone is entitiled to an opinion, and I think it is good to find out what is on other people's minds, however let's be civil.

 

However, Critical Mass Rides in Gainesville are counter-productive to the cause of improving bicycling in our area.  The Critical Mass Rides win us no friends in the community and produce a political backlash because they piss off motorists, some of whom contact their politicians.  I can tell you this because over the years, I have been contacted by citizens and politicians who frequently snarl  "Are you part of that bicycle group that blocks traffic on Friday afternoon?"

 

Since 1990, I have been talking to the Critical Mass folks and observing their rides.  I have invited them to get involved in real political action, with our local Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and other transportation committees.  In all these years , exactly one person of the Critical Mass group has attended one meeting.

 

If we lived in San Fransisco or another urban area that ignores bicycle issues,  Critical Mass rides might be in order.  However we live in Gainesville, and are blessed by government that takes bicycle issues seriously.   Just look at all the bike lanes on our roads, look at how Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)  rebuilt US 441 in the Paynes Prarie area to make it safer for bicyclists, and look at the new bike facilities on SW 2nd Ave that were just finished.

 

George Edwards does get a bit over-enthusiastic in his condemnation of the Critical Mass, but, quite frankly, he has earned that right.

 

While George was GCC president, he was also a member of our local Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board (BPAB) and chairman of the BPAB for three years.  He spent a lot of time meeting with public officials, both locally and at the state level, and the cause of bicycle transportation is better for his efforts.

 

I can tell you this because I spent 17 years on the BPAB, and now am on a similar committee that deals with automobile transportation issues.

 

Democracy is long and dull and tedious, certainly not as much fun as having a bicycle protest in the street,  but if you are willing to do the homework and the hard work that goes with the decision making process we call democracy, you can actually have an effect on our future.

 

'Nuff said about Critical Mass.

 

 

Chandler Otis