"conflict is probably inevitible <sic>"?
  With respect; to an outside observer the intent of the critical
mass rides is clearly confrontational.
  In response to the claim that the organization is a cyclist
advocacy group, it is also troubling that the rides only seem
take place under circumstances in which there is minimal risk to
the cm riders.  Strangely, cm rides down the center lane of 441
don't seem to be appearing on the schedule.  Blocking traffic
downtown, (within a few blocks of the nearest police), appears
to be the norm.

  Forget the panthers.  Let's try a third analogy.  One a bit
less self aggrandizing.  A better comparison would be the preteen
who teases a chained dog, then feigns shock and anger when it gets
loose and attacks one of the other neighborhood children.
Please stop "helping" me.

>
> Its main means of expression are monthly mass rides which take place all
> over North America and Europe.  (you can find a CM directory on the
> web). Riders are not encouraged to tie up traffic or to be
> confrontational with motorists but cyclists rights are asserted to their
> fullest and conflict is probably inevitible.  After all,  the movement
> was started by SF bicycle couriers and the core "membership"  tends to
> use bicycles as transportation more than recreation.
>  Mike W. says that CM reminds him  of those people in Miami who riot and
> burn up their own neiborhoods.....I  think a better analogy is the civil
> rights movement which had groups at all degrees of militantcy, from
> Black Panthers to NAACP to those who warned Black people not  to push
> white folks for fear of a backlash.
>

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