Pedaling Diego: San Diego's Growing Bicycle Mania

8.billdsd, I think you hit the nail on the head. All of these cities have progressed in making cycling a more accessible and safe activity without the need for Critical Mass. In 2007 the Portland Critical Mass was almost non-existent (http://goo.gl/RIFsk) yet they continue to be revered as one of the best US cities for bikes. I’m sure the CM in Portland has received a little resurgence, but as you point out, Mia Birk has had a much larger impact on Portland than CM could ever hope to. Google "Critical Mass" and you'll have an easier time finding links describing altercations between cyclists and motorists, cyclists and police, or cyclists and pedestrians than you will any positive effect the event has had on this or any city. Even the author of this article refers to the ride as one in which he is “on the attack and not the defensive”. Do we really want to live in a city where revenge is not only dismissed but celebrated as a political statement? It seems the riders who align with the author let their angst drive their actions rather than rationality and desire for productivity. If Mia Birk can change the landscape of Portland through hard work and persistence, imagine what the 1000 riders of Critical Mass in San Diego could accomplish if they chose to spend their time being proactive and productive rather than combative? San Diego would be a much different city indeed.
— December 30, 2010 5:58 p.m.

Pedaling Diego: San Diego's Growing Bicycle Mania

— December 30, 2010 5:56 p.m.

Pedaling Diego: San Diego's Growing Bicycle Mania

What's interesting to me are the references to Portland and Copenhagen as bike meccas. Neither of which has had a Critical Mass of any significance in years. Yet somehow these bike friendly improvements to the cities continue to come to fruition. Conversely, every month a reported 700-1200 riders flood the streets of San Diego with little to no impact on the city’s views on biking. Could it be that Critical Mass has no impact on a city’s decisions to make more bike friendly streets? That’s the way it seems. Long Beach is next to Portland claiming itself as one of the most bike friendly cities and they’re actively trying to do away with Critical Mass. NYC is up on the list of cities trying to become more bike-friendly and a federal judge ruled Critical Mass as an illegal event. There are no bike lanes, no paved roads, no bike paths, no improved legislation, no better educated cyclists, motorists or police or any other change to the San Diego that can be attributed to Critical Mass. The same is true in nearly every city in the US. Critical Mass just doesn't change things like the riders want so badly to believe. In the cities which need bike improvements, the relatively few motivated folks waste time riding in Critical Mass rather than taking real action. NYC has made unbelievable progress in just a few short years due to advocacy groups and lobbying city officals. Why are San Diegans wasting their time riding on freeways and over the Coronado Bridge when they could be making a real difference. I’m with “Sportsbook”. I believe there’s a lot we can do to improve our city for bikes, but Critical Mass isn’t it.
— December 30, 2010 1:38 p.m.