Welcome to Fall

Equinox has passed. The summer is over. That means its getting darker in the evenings quickly. Soon we'll lose our Daylight Savings time extra hour and it will be really dark while commuting.

The most dangerous time for cars not seeing other road users is at twilight when the light is fading but people haven't adapted to the dark night yet. The worst season for blind killer cars is the fall, when we are all unaccustomed to the shorter days.

Check out this silly video by The B:C:Clettes, and the VACC. You may recognise the lead singer/hotty as Amy from Momentum Magazine, and probably others too. Where did they get those luminescent hot pants!? I want!



Lot's of cozy winter cycling ahead. So light yourself up. Ride together. Ride Strong. Take care and take the lane.

bicycle forklift

I don't know what they are saying, but this is pretty cool. There are lots of other crazy videos and pictures on the site. Like this:

Critical Mass Ride and Roll, Friday, August 28

Join fellow bicyclists, skaters, and bladers for this leisurely and spirited celebratory ride and roll through the streets of Vancouver. Meet at the Vancouver Art Gallery on the Georgia Street side between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. -- and roll and ride at 6:00 p.m. The ride is on rain or shine! Decorated bicycles, trailers, signs, flags, noisemakers, gettoblasters, sound systems, drums, and wildly modified bicycles are all highly encouraged!

Pre-rides to Critical Mass:

UBC riders meet at the UBC Bike Hub, on the north east end of the Student Union Building, at 4:30 p.m. for a group ride to the Vancouver Art Gallery. Phone 604-822-BIKE for details.

East Van riders meet 4:00 p.m., leaving 4:30 p.m., from Grandview Park, 1200-block Commercial Drive, for a group ride to the Vancouver Art Gallery.

What's Critical Mass and how do I participate?

Celebrated around the world, Critical Mass is a grassroots reclamation of public space -- on the last Friday of the month -- which allows cyclists and other self-propelled people to move safely and comfortably through city streets in a car-free space. Non-polluting forms of transportation are promoted.

The ride stays together for safety and fun. If you are at the front of the ride, stop if you are approaching a red light. But continue as a group if the lights change red while passing though an intersection.

You will see participants peel off at the front to block motorized traffic from entering the Mass. That's called "corking". Corkers keep the ride safe and allow the Mass to pass though intersections where the lights have turned red. Thank them for corking!

Never cork alone. Join lone corkers, and for intersections there should be six or more corkers. And remember, do not cork oncoming traffic in opposing lanes.

If you're at the front, please don't speed or take narrow roadways or paths. It stretches the ride out and makes life harder for corkers, riders, and those waiting for the Mass to pass. Be aware of the ride's slower participants, and keep a slower pace. If the Mass has thinned out or has broken into more than one group, which happens following hills or where the street has becomes more lanes, the front should wait at green lights for the group to "mass up".

Don't stay on any given street for very long, so that public transit can pass. And always let emergency vehicles through. Please don't ride on sidewalks or in opposing traffic lanes.

The ride is a celebration, and an alcohol/drug free event. Take absolute responsibility for your actions and show motorists a better way to travel. A way which is more equitable, efficient, fun and socially responsible than the car. There's no need to be unfriendly or argue with motorists -- our sheer numbers tell the story. Look after each other, speak up, and ride with confidence.

Who decides where we go?

You do! Some rides have a destination or route that may be suggested at the start of the ride, but the route is always decided by the riders in the front. If you have an idea where the ride should go, move to the front and participate with others in a group decision. Remember to make it fun and interesting, and that Critical Mass has no leaders.

A special note to those at the front: It becomes unsafe for those in the rear if the Mass strrrreeeetches out, there are big gaps, or the body of the Mass looses it's tail. If the front can no longer see the rear, or the Mass has just passed through a "choke point", stop at an intersection where there's room for the entire Mass to completely bunch up again (and where the front of the ride can see the rear again).

images1.wikia.nocookie.net/criticalmass/images/d/de/Welcome.jpg

For more information:

www.velolove.bc.ca
vancouvercm.blogspot.com
vancouver@velolove.bc.ca

Critical Mass Vancouver on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2227461980

Worldwide details may be found at:

criticalmassrides.info
www.critical-mass.org
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass

Upload/View Vancouver Critical Mass Photos at Flickr.com:

www.flickr.com/groups/vancriticalmass
 

Critical Mass Potluck & Discussion

Calling all CM participants ((( ( (  (   (      (            (

(please read the *Assessment of Current Situation* below for a description of some of the challenges that Critical Mass is currently facing)

In this world there are two ways to deal with situations we encounter. The first way would be to go out and find some official or leader to tell us what to do, OR we can get together, share some food and friendship, and discuss the issues ourselves!

Regardless of how long you have been riding in Critical Mass, the time feels right to get together to strategize on the present nature of Critical Mass, and on the future of these empowering and somewhat controversial rides. Can you imagine ways we could communicate more clearly? What is your favorite part of the ride, and are there elements we should leave behind? What about the idea of a "Mass Class" (education sessions pre-ride), or broadcasting Live Pirate Radio during the ride? A rolling celebration!

As when we ride, we’ve ALL got the chance to shape this culture, to define how we want to be together during Critical Mass: our monthly celebration, reclamation, and definition of Vancouver public space.

~you are invited to the:

POTLUCK & DISCUSSION: Critical Mass, We Are Traffic
6pm, Wednesday, August 19
David Lam Park (on the seawall near the Roundhouse)
(Rain location: The Roundhouse Community Centre, same date and time)

-Bring some tasty food to share and a plate / cup / utensil.
-Probably best to think of this as an alcohol-free space so we can get some work done too.
-Please talk to others, and encourage your friends to join the conversation. We are all leading this crazy thing!

Discussion will begin at 6:45pm. Likely we will have some initial discussion to frame the issues, then break off into working groups so that we can talk about aspects of the ride which we are most personally passionate about.

Ideas for discussion (list will be modified / expanded by whoever is at the meeting on Wednesday):

\\\Current CM experiences
\\\Leaderless Group Communications and Decision-making
\\\Media Opportunities and messaging
\\\Intra-group communications: email listserves, facebook, websites, xerocracy
\\\Safety Ideas
\\\Vancouver Police Department
\\\Lions Gate Bridge
\\\etc.

…:::WHY:::…
Assessment of Current Situation

///Vancouver is known for having peaceful and celebratory Critical Mass (CM) rides.

///Recently, rides have been really big and have gotten stretched out. This creates dangers for individual riders, and has also resulted in some violence at intersections.

///¼ of July riders were first time CMers. Many others had participated only 1 or 2 times. This means that the majority of riders are new-ish. Many riders who have been participating in previous years no longer ride in Critical Mass for a variety of reasons.

///A majority of participants do not know what it takes to keep CM safe (very slow with stops at front, choosing large roads with no bottlenecks, 8-12 corkers per intersection)

///CM has taken center stage in the media, with VPD and the City speaking out wanting the ride to be safe and peaceful. We’ve got the spotlight: how are we seen, and how do we want to be seen?

///CM remains SUPER EMPOWERING for cyclists, as we determine how the road gets used, and affirm our rights to ride.

///Some people think CM should be ended, or should be changed so that it does not encourage an ‘us vs them’ mentality, or that it shouldn’t go over the Lions Gate bridge, or that we should all wear helmets, or that the police shouldn’t be there, or that we should pre-plan a route, or that ETC… LETS TALK!

For more info (but not to discuss issues ahead of time) you can contact any of the following people, who with a few others got together after the last ride to talk about how to have a larger conversation about Critical Mass.

redsara@gmail.com
coordinator@worklessparty.org
skisby@web.net

We can do this

theglobeandmail.com article about CM:

Vancouver's bike shorts in a knot for nothing

Rod Mickleburgh

Last updated on Thursday, Aug. 06, 2009 10:28PM EDT

What is it with Vancouver? Mere days after the local media and citizenry worked themselves into a ludicrous lather over the closing of a single lane on the Burrard Bridge, oops, they did it again.

This time, hysteria levels were raised to a fever pitch about the Critical Mass bike ride destined to bring civilization as we know it to an end last Friday, with several thousand cyclists refusing to stop at red lights and being purposefully vague about where they were going. The horror, the horror.

These monthly rides to celebrate biking have been taking place for a while, but this time, for some reason, everyone seemed to go a little nuts. Police begged for advance notice of the route, radio hotlines burned with rage, city councillors urged calm, and the media prepared once more for chaos – choppers and breathless reporters at the ready.

Of course, the rides are a pain in the butt for downtown drivers trying to get somewhere on a busy Friday night. The previous Critical Mass produced an actual altercation. But no worry. Riders were told how to handle angry motorists.

“Stopping to ogle seems to escalate the problem by focusing on the conflict. Breathe deeply,” a Critical Mass pamphlet suggested, adding helpfully, “It is harder for people to be angry when we are having so much fun. …” True, that. You want to put a smile on the face of a Hummer driver? Just send thousands of cheery cyclists past him when he's trying to get to the bar.

Similarly, for those brave souls standing in the way of cars at intersections: “You can wave at the bikers going by, and entertain the drivers who are waiting.” How about sawing a cyclist in half?

At any rate, the pedal-pushers rode all over the city, and, as with the predicted Burrard Bridge brouhaha, nothing happened.

Still, Vancouver Police spokeswoman Constable Jana McGuinness kept us all up to date with rapid-fire reports, as if O.J. Simpson were headed down the highway in a white Bronco.

10:24 “The ride appears to be heading towards the Lions Gate Bridge, as they are now in Stanley Park Drive.”

10:35 “Riders appear to have abandoned the plan to head over the Lions Gate Bridge and are now headed back into the downtown core along Robson Street.”

10:51 “Riders are once again heading along the Stanley Park causeway towards the Lions Gate Bridge.”

11:38 “The riders are now crossing the Burrard Bridge and may be heading towards Kits Beach.”

11:50 “The ride has concluded near Kits Beach and participants are breaking off on their own now.”

11:52 “Why am I here?” (Just kidding about that one…)

The city slept soundly.

Bike over Burrard Bridge - Support the Protected Bike Lanes Trial

Hi,

Please pass this on to your friends that walk, cycle, bus, drive and
run over Burrard Bridge.
One week to go! After years of close calls, conflicts and collisions
between people who walk and cycle over Burrard Bridge, on Monday, July
13, you will finally be able to cycle and walk safely over Burrard
Bridge. During the Protected Bike Lanes Trial, a southbound lane will
be reallocated to create a southbound bike traffic lane separated from
car traffic by barriers, the east sidewalk will be reserved for
northbound cyclists while the west sidewalk will be reserved for north
and southbound pedestrians. This isn't the best solution, obviously 2
car free lanes opened up to bikes and 2 walking sidewalks would be the
best... but this trial is the best we've got and the best way to make
things better.

Bike Over the Bridge
For the trial to be successful, lots people need to cycle and walk
over the bridge, especially on the first day when there will be tons
of media out looking for a big story.

Lets make the story crowded bike traffic lanes, not congested car lanes!

So bring your friends. Make a celebration out of it. Make a Summer of it.
- Cycle over the bridge to go to Kits Beach, English Bay, Stanley Park
or Granville Island.
- Enjoy dinner and a drink on a patio. Have a picnic on the beach.
- Take the long way to work over Burrard Bridge
- Take the long way home over the Bridge
- Go to a movie or a play

Several opening celebrations are planned for July 13th.

Breakfast and Ride over Burrard Street Bridge
1154 Gilford, 7am; ride starts at 8am.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=93217881238

Take the long way to work - Burrard Bridge Trial Opening Day Bike Ride
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217056660337

Momentum 40 Rolling Launch Party & Picnic
Join Momentum and the VACC for a ride over the bridge, a picnic at
Vanier Park, and a Bike-in Movie at the Museum of Vancouver.
Meet at David Lam Park in Yaletown at 6pm. We will ride over the brand
new bike lane on Burrard Bridge and have a picnic in Vanier Park.

Bring a blanket + food to share + plate & utensils + yer own mug!

That night the Museum of Vancouver will screen the movie Triplets of
Belleville outdoors (at around 10 pm)
Valet bike parking available at the museum.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=49182264954

So join in or plan your own event on July 13 or some other summer day.
Let me know and I will pass it around.
The bottom line is: Use it or lose it!

Two Lane Reallocation
By helping to make the one lane trial a successful, you will send a
strong message to Mayor and Council that the two lane reallocation is
the best the permanent solution. The two lane reallocation would
enable pedestrians to use the east sidewalk while cyclists would have
a lane separated from traffic. In the trial beginning on July 13,
pedestrians will be banned from the east sidewalk which will be
reserved for northbound cyclists. The banning of pedestrians from the
east sidewalk is not an acceptable solution.

Contact Mayor and Council
Please e-mail mayor and council:
gregor.robertson@vancouver.ca, clranton@vancouver.ca,
clrcadman@vancouver.ca, clrchow@vancouver.ca, clrdeal@vancouver.ca,
clrjang@vancouver.ca, clrlouie@vancouver.ca, clrmeggs@vancouver.ca,
clrreimer@vancouver.ca, clrstevenson@vancouver.ca,
clrwoodsworth@vancouver.ca
If you wish to call them, their numbers can be found here:
http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/mayorcouncil/mayorrobertson.htm
http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/mayorcouncil/councillors.htm
Join the Facebook Group
For those of you on Facebook, please join the group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44613493519
And invite your friends. Lets get over a 1000 members to show that
there is a lot of support for the trial.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?members&gid=44613493519
Contact the Media
Write letters to the editor and phone radio call-in shows letting them
know you support the trial.
Stay Positive and Avoid Conflict with Motorists
More Information
City of Vancouver:
http://vancouver.ca/projects/burrard
Burrard Bridge Blog:
http://burrardbridgetwolanetrial.blogspot.com
Councillor Megges has a good summary of the history of the Burrard
Bridge proccess:
http://www.geoffmeggs.ca/the-burrard-bridge-archive/

Wheely Wheely Fun 2 Wheels Tour

Ride, Dance, Inspire! June 27 to July 5, 2009 Nanaimo · Parksville · Courtenay · Sunshine Coast • • • Nanaimo Sat, June 27 Maffeo Sutton Park, 7 pm Parksville Sun, June 28 Rathtrevor Beach Amphitheatre, 7:30 pm Courtenay Wed, July 1 KIDS DECORATED BICYCLE CONTEST 9:45am at the School Grand Parade 10:30am Performance, Lewis Park Main Stage, 1 pm Roberts Creek Sun, July 5 Mandala, 11:30 am Downloads: Tour Poster Flyer - Nanaimo Flyer - Courtenay Flyer - Tour • • •

June Massive Ride 2009

This Friday June 26th
Ride with us (skate, walk, roll...)
Take public to the streets, by all means except the motor
We are the world that we imagine, and our vision can be made real
The Age of the Bicycle will be upon us!
as we move Towards Carfree Cities.
The choice is Live Free or Drive,
We choose to ride en mass!

Meet 5-5:30pm
Depart 6pm ish
from Vancouver Art Gallery fountain
this Friday June 26, 2008
The traditional June Bike Month
Massive Critical Mass

This year, I strongly suggest we ride ALL the way across the Lions Gate bridge to the North Shore. This is may be more considerate of other (always jammed cars) bridge traffic - and it is more fun than doing the same thing every year. We are traffic (and we increase speeds of people crossing the bridge when we ride there) so lets act like it!

you are invited to come with us and enjoy the safety and comfort that we create by simply riding together. families too! dress us, bring sidewalk chalk, bring musical instruments, or just be part of the fun.

we ride together in a big mass, because together is more fun. That means we don't go too fast and occasionally the front of the ride will stop (say, just past the apex of a bridge) and wait for the mass to bulk up so we don't all become spread thin. this also helps make the ride safer and less confusing for those stuck in cars (the ride sometimes precipitates road rage) because we stay together. We don't cut the ride in half at red lights but volunteer corkers stop and talk to drivers to get them to wait for us to pass. Since there is no leader of the ride we are all responsible for watching out for ourselves, other riders and keeping it fun and safe.

This is not an us vs car drivers ride. Those stuck in car traffic are our friends and we need to be polite and respectful of them as we increase the traffic by putting more people on the roads. We do have to prevent cars from entering the mass and if anyone tries to use a car as a weapon to threaten aggressive force we call 9-11 and try to defuse the tension. We can't avoid all the road rage that precipitates when we liberate city streets from the yolk of car-only dominance - but we can make our ride safer by being intelligent and respectful as we deal with people.

Communication is very important so please talk with pedestrians, other cyclists and those in their cars. Critical Mass is opening up the once silent (loud with the noise of motor nothings) city streets to the conversation about how we live and move around. This is not just transportation, it is about affordable housing (people "must" drive if the only choice is suburbia), the environment, and much much more. You never ride alone so don't act alone, we are strong in one another.

Instructions for Ride and Photos from Last Years:
(and details of corking, flyers to use, etc...)

2007 June massive o=o o=o o=o 2006 june Massive
photos from 2008 0=0 info from 2008

Inspiring video from Copenhagen and World's Fastest Bike

This is a kind of tourist advertising video but it has a nice simple positive message.

And here is a nice documentary of the worlds fastest land speed record:

Car Free Vancouver Sunday

Celebrate the future of your city!

Major fest sites include Kitsilano, Main Street, West End, and Commercial Drive. This event is volunteer-organized and produced. It's your party, so please contribute, join a crew or volunteer on June 14th to make it happen! (I know the Main St party needs some extra help, they've put up tear away posters on bike racks up and down main. Help them, cyclists.)

---

June 14th Sunday. Yay! Family fun on fathers day. And also adult fun.

Hey, It's Bike Month. I know, it has been a for a while already. YOU should be posting these things here, not me. (email me and I'll let you post to the blog! spam AT bikesexual DOOT org)



Lots of fun. Noteworthy event tommorrow, is the always special lantern ride! Tomorrow a lantern ride leaves David Lam park 9pm ish (arrive at 7:30 for lantern making)

And besides that there are tons of other great events. Even tommorrow, besides the latern and naked rides. Check out the calendar for most events. (not the nude ride for some reason?)