My initial reaction to Critical Mass was "what the hell?" Honestly, If I were a citizen trying to get home on a Friday afternoon and was essentially pushed off the road by bicyclists, I'd be really annoyed. I understand Critical Mass' purpose: to regain control of the road. However, I think it's impractical to assume that such a movement will shape the public opinion that bicyclists also have a right to the road. Times have changed, and our society now uses motor vehicles for transportation. Incorporating bikes into our already established car and bus transportation system will make traffic go a lot slower. This is very frustrating to many, many people. Think about the road rage that's out there today with just cars and trucks alone. Now add bikes, which cannot travel higher than 30 mph, into the equation. It just doesn't make sense to do such a thing in our American society where time is money.
I understand their environmental concern: in today's day in age, there is obviously a huge ozone crisis. Eliminating gas and fossil fuels from as many sources as possible is ideal. If Critical Mass were running based on this factor alone, I think it would be plausible to assume more people would agree with their protest. However, it's no secret that citizens need to become more "green." Car companies know this, too. That's why they have been increasingly producing hybrids, Smartcars, and solar panel vehicles to alleviate the strain on natural resources and the ever depleting ozone layer. Which would you choose? Creeping slowly to work on a bicycle while saving the ozone or riding in a comfortable car, which accomplishes the same purpose?
Despite my negative reactions to the idea overall, I believe Critical Mass has a unique quality that other protests groups do not: they seem to have disorganized organization. Their protest runs on almost complete chaos, but surprisingly enough, that's the key ingredient to making it work. I also like the fact that each rider has his own type of "ownership" over Critical Mass. It genuinely means something to each individual, and that "something" may be different for the next rider, and the rider next to him.
Altogether, I thought it was a really interesting protest. I don't support it, although I agree with their claim that we should help our planet go green. I just happen to believe there are more advanced and efficient ways to do so based on the technology and advancements we've made. Afterall, it is the 21st century.
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5 comments:
I totally agree with the idea of how country learning to go green uy I also feel that we can find better ways of doing it than trading cars for bicycles. I too would be very annoyed if I was blocked off in a car by a street full of slow moving bikes.
I also would be very annoyed. And I agree with your comment on how CM is Disorganized Organization.
I'd have to disagree with the negative reactions to the goal of Critical Mass. Maybe it's because I'm extremely laid back and wouldn't mind being late a few minutes if it meant I could see some crazy people ride by. I think this is a great example of how a person's personality determines how they respond to a protest.
I just wanted to point out how Marissa usefully demonstrates between what Critical Mass does (which she doesn't agree is the best way to get what they want) and how they organize their organization (how they each "own" it). Marissa appreciates the second even while disagreeing with the first.
I think you're approach to this is very interesting, especially since most people would probably agree with you. You pointed out how people could be angered by others messing with a system that was already in place. However, I think it's important not to accept the status quo for that reason alone. For example, according to law, the bikers had equal rights to the road. Nevertheless, the widespread use of cars has led to an unofficial system in which bikers are assumed to have less rights and to be in the way of others, who are often considered to be more important because of their more "normal" means of transportation. The question, therefore, is wether we should accept this system or look for ways in which it can be improved or changed.
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