tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8758237813251556266.post7623131417359549858..comments2023-10-18T03:55:43.950-05:00Comments on Southern Lights: Critical Mass, MelbourneAnthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8758237813251556266.post-38546735426773357822009-12-25T02:37:01.210-06:002009-12-25T02:37:01.210-06:00anthony: The grateful dead have a song "the e...anthony: The grateful dead have a song "the eyes<br />of the world". you are so graced, and we are by you. Merry Christmas and Joyful seasons.<br />in love, <br />frisbeetomfrisbeetomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649524897376200540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8758237813251556266.post-60056500119296062012009-12-19T04:00:20.415-06:002009-12-19T04:00:20.415-06:00i only did one critical mass in london, there were...i only did one critical mass in london, there were about 1000 cyclists and over 100 police pushbike escorts. they didnt seem to mind running red lights and drinking whilst cycling. i think there were there to stop any homicidal taxi drivers ploughing into the parade.. either way it was great fun..krillandphydoplanktonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18256709757934966478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8758237813251556266.post-24973864959113946722009-12-18T22:20:52.094-06:002009-12-18T22:20:52.094-06:00'tend to agree'..? get off the fence antho...'tend to agree'..? get off the fence anthony ;-) don't be distracted by morgan's one handed wheelieing between lanes of gridlocked traffic while drinking an 'adult beverage', that crazy kid be speaking sense. beer breaaak!!!Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07052178622248843815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8758237813251556266.post-17498527054689488822009-12-17T23:48:43.517-06:002009-12-17T23:48:43.517-06:00It makes me very happy to see friends I've met...It makes me very happy to see friends I've met across the world cross-comment on my blog. It has been truly a pleasure to cycle and enjoy adult beverages with both Morgan and James--and on two different continents no less! <br /><br />I tend to agree with Morgan's perspective...and his point about increasing the effectiveness of the mass. If we stopped at each light in the Melbourne CBD, the line of cyclists would have inevitably flowed out into the previous intersection, blocking it out of sheer necessity while following all the road rules! <br /><br />And I'll get at Pat's comment about the mass later this evening--I've got to be off to drink too much espresso, too! Best to everyone!Anthony C. Siracusahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8758237813251556266.post-32979478880498615252009-12-17T16:58:54.919-06:002009-12-17T16:58:54.919-06:00Screw you James! Where YOU frrauum! Not Amsterdam!...Screw you James! Where YOU frrauum! Not Amsterdam!<br />Hi Anthony, hope all is well and you are enjoying the lovely Melbourne weather.<br /><br />I'd like to explain a little more detailed my view for anyone who cares.<br />More times then I care to remember, while riding in possibly unsafe conditions; no bike lane, narrow shoulder, right turning traffic, I have taken a lane to myself. I have had someone yell from a car "This is not critical mass asshole!" This is in the San Fransisco Bay Area, the birth place of Critical Mass.<br />How I'd do Critical Mass......<br />The reason I stopped at the lights is because if you are claiming you be promoting cyclists rights to the roadway, you are obligated to follow the rules too. If it stopped at every light, Critical Mass could shut down even larger sections of a city and without breaking the law (no police escorts?).<br />Just my 2 cents. More importantly, do your own thing and do it well. With that, I will drink too much espresso again today.Morgan 'ARR!' Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01395843361340818599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8758237813251556266.post-19561397622266011722009-12-17T10:12:29.449-06:002009-12-17T10:12:29.449-06:00does Morgan have a beard? if so, ask him in the wo...does Morgan have a beard? if so, ask him in the worst drunken American schoolgirl voice: "where u fraaaaum??!" and before he has finihsed answering, you gotta shout "thaats aaawesome!!" and then say howsit from james... later punk, good to read your stories. oh and critical mass = rock and rollJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07052178622248843815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8758237813251556266.post-90995081085517501922009-12-17T07:47:05.828-06:002009-12-17T07:47:05.828-06:00Memphis police behavior is a symptom of a deeper p...Memphis police behavior is a symptom of a deeper problem - the culture that limits the city's progress in a modern society and (as some believe) drags Tennessee down. Bicycling is an old idea that solves many modern problems (health, environment.) <br /><br />Critical Mass, though disruptive, gets bicycles on the mind of the common citizen in a way that nothing else can. It highlights a movement, it bonds bicyclists together. I personally don't have a problem with a bunch of bicyclists out for a ride following all applicable laws.<br /><br />I haven't reflected on it this way before, but how many of the top rideable cities in the USA have CM? My theory is the worst cities and the best don't have them - sort of a bell curve. In a city with great facilities, the communities more want to celebrate what they have. In the worst bikeable cities, in their own self defeating ways, don't even have the will in their own bike community to organize a decent CM. I put Memphis in the latter, followed by Nashville. With the lack of progress in Chattanooga with the new mayor and lack of justice for cyclists killed, a CM is probably due there too.Pat Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08573077188541811143noreply@blogger.com