Critical Mass in the Suburbs
Hi people.
What would you think if a critical mass event were to take place in the suburbs instead of downtown? I think a lot more attention should be focussed on cycling conditions in the suburbs. Right now, too many people are afraid of taking to the streets out there.
I still do support the critical mass in downtown. In fact, maybe there can be two rides going on at the same time (just an idea). And motorists in downtown definitely notice us in downtown. Why not command respect from motorists in the suburbs?
What do you think about this idea? Please respond to this post with your ideas and suggestions. Hope to hear from all of you soon.
I've got a couple of thoughts. I live, work and bike commute in the suburbs (York Region) and I see few bicycle commuters and fewer utility riders. There are lots of sport riders on the weekend though ;)
I'm not sure there is enough of a cycling culture to get that kind of thing going in York, at least. I don't really know if there is a critical mass of cyclists around in my neck of the woods. But I could be wrong.
That said, with the nicer weather last week I saw more people riding in my neck of the woods than I can remember.
Let's have several CMs, at least one more to start. I don't live downtown so I'll go ride in a suburban one if there's interest from other people.
It would be good to have it seeded with some experienced at it who can demonstrate a few techniques to keep it safe yet fun.
The rides don't follow a predetermined route, but it would be interesting if a couple of them linked up for a mass Critical Mass.
Hi Andrew.
I'm sure if you ask around, you'll find some cyclists that live close by.
The thing is, in order for SCM (Suburban Critical Mass) to work, there has to be a high turnout. And in order for that to work, the word must spread as much as possible. So I encourage everyone to talk about SCM with your friends, etc.
Also, another tip for cycling around the suburbs. It's always good to cycle with a group. So maybe when SCM comes, smaller groups of cyclists would travel and join up at Eglinton and Yonge.
There is a facebook group about Suburban Critical Mass. It's called "Suburban Critical Mass". If you want to help organise the event, or simply take part, please join this group.
Any safety concerns or issues about SCM should also be discussed. For example, a concern that I have is that in the suburbs, we should expect more private automobiles, especially at 6:00 around, since the suburbs are more car-oriented. But of course, there's always safety and strength in numbers.
It took me a while to realise what you meant.
That is a very good idea if there were to be several Critical Mass rides. Obviously, it simply won't work if the only suburban Critical mass takes off at Canada Square, and there are people in Scarborough who want to join a ride, but can't because it's too far.
What would be great is if there were to be a mass ride for each city ward (or every two wards). So if you don't live close enough to one, make your own.
Hey. To address the concern of automobiles during rush hour, someone suggested to have the ride at an earlier time.
An update: We have decided on the facebook group to have the Suburban Critical Mass on the Same Weekend as the Downtown Critical Mass. We are still deciding though whether to have it Saturday or Sunday and at what time.
It will be earlier for sure, since on weekends, less people work during the day.
UPDATES ON THIS EVENT WILL BE MADE HERE
Important dates
2008-May-11-Sunday: Last day to voice your opinion on the date and time of event (email at suburban.critical.mass@hotmail.com).
2008-May-12-Monday: Final Decision of the date and time of event will be made(Check here for updates).
2008-May-25-Sunday: "One-Thousand Bells on Bloor" event. This is an opportunity to talk to other cyclists and publicise the SCM.
2008-May-30-Friday: DOWNTOWN CRITICAL MASS at Spadina Avenue and Bloor Street West at 6:00 p.m.
2008-May-31-Saturday: Possible date of the First Suburban Critical Mass
2008-June-1-Sunday: Possible date of the First Suburban Critical Mass
Many cities have convergence rides or multiple mass rides, New York, Chicago, and Oakley. Some converge with larger rides in the City, some just wander off on their own. There are also de-convergence rides, where it gets too big or draws too much police attention, where the main ride will split up and people will ride home in groups. Something New York has had to do when the cops started mass arrests.
There have been attempts at convergence rides in Toronto starting outside of the downtown. Popular but you need to do a lot of leg work to get significant numbers. Though numbers do not really count, the smallest ever CM was one person. A fellow in Germany announced a CM via flyering. He had a good number of cyclists show up who promptly left when they saw the heavy police presence. The fellow announced the start of CM and promptly began the ride by himself. Followed no less by eight cops on motorcycles. There was a CM called in Toronto in support of the Dalai Lama, no one showed except about 30 cops. The site that announced it only had about 3 readers.
CM does little if anything to enhance cyclists' safety because it has never really been about that. It started as a way for people to get together and exchange ideas, the only thing common between everyone was that everyone rode bicycles. Exchanging ideas riding a bicycle is much easier than doing it driving a car. Yes, CM gives the public a feel of what it would be like to have the pressures of cars removed from City streets, even if only for a brief moment. CM has put many cycling advocates together where they went off and worked on other projects that did help cycling safety.
A suburban CM is a very good thing. It will help cyclists meet other cyclists they might not get a chance to. Only good things will come from this.
It was realised that this event as it is would coincide with the Becel Ride for Heart, heavily compromising the turnout.
The New date for this event is now June 8th, at 3:00 pm. at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue.
Look for our event on toronto.ca/cycling under events----> Calendar of events (on the right side)-----> June 8th.
A suburban ride on the 401 during peak rush hour would be interesting.
They've done something similar in Los Angeles a few times, now there's a city that screams for some solutions.
http://laist.com/2008/05/14/photos_from_fri.php
I think that a ride like this on the Gardiner would be a blast!
Please note that the Suburban Critical Mass ride has been canceled for the fall and winter months. We will definitely be back in the spring, so please stick around and keep in touch. I apologise for the inconvenience.
That's not to say that SCM will be canceled every year during the winter. Hopefully in 2009, the ride can keep going all year round.
-Jacob Louie
riding a bicycle on the highway is very very illegal.
its considerably worse than not having a bell :P