[CMI-CM] (no subject)

[Prince, John M (O&M)]

The idea is that the Critical mass moves as a procession, as a mass, as one
vehicle.  My experience is that the lead bike has ALWAYS obeyed the signals
and that the others have followed through whether the signal has allowed or
not.  Traffic lights are not always timed to allow this, and the state
vehicle code does allow that processions may follow the lead vehicle as long
as they are clearly identified (I don't think this has been a problem with
our local group).   By the way, we use the same reasoning in our club group
rides (I have participated with Wild Thang, IBRC and Prairie Cycle club),
sometimes with members of our local police forces in attendance.


Thanks,

John M Prince
Mechanical Engineer
UIUC-Operation and Maintenance Division
1501 S Oak
Champaign, IL 61820-6905
Fax: (217) 333-4294
Phone: 333-8036
mailto:jmprince at uiuc.edu




-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca Roach [mailto:RRoach at mhc.uiuc.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 9:26 AM
To: 'Scott Dossett'; critical-mass at lists.groogroo.com
Subject: RE: [CMI-CM] (no subject)


The main reason I have stopped riding with critical mass (although I still
"advertise" the rides by poster in my office) is that the mass finds it
necessary (and often seemingly desirable) to break traffic regulations (like
running red lights.)  I choose not to be a part of that message.  As a daily
bike commuter, I do battle every day with the cars - and prefer not to do it
as a "message" on the last Friday of the month.  As bikers, we must follow
the rules in order to get the respect we deserve from the drivers.  

I agree with Scott -  the bikers' running the red light does not justify the
Jeep driver's actions - I  hope he does go to jail.  There is incredible
power in numbers, and the mass has some numbers.  I just hope the power can
be used for right, and not just to thumb our nose at drivers because we are
a mass.  I am afraid the drivers perceive CM as nose-thumbing and are just
getting pissed off.  I hope the message can be that bikes have just as much
(but no more) right to the road as cars do.    Becky



-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Dossett [mailto:scottd at sws.uiuc.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 8:48 AM
To: critical-mass at lists.groogroo.com
Subject: [CMI-CM] (no subject)


Hi all.

At the risk of being the poop in the pack here; note the CriticalMass 
participants rendering of the actions of the "pack".  Excerpt from e-mail 
link below.

To run red lights on crowded city streets is not smart my friends.  The 
ride I went on in September from Wright and Green did the same thing as it 
wound it's way through downtown Champaign, 6 times.

This does not of course justify the actions of the Jeep battering ram and I 
hope he goes to jail.

It's just................... what we do effects what we get.

peace
=====================================
Austin Chronicle, 10-5-01
Statesman Falls Off Its Bike
BY JORDAN SMITH

........................................According to Justin Davis -- the 
Statesman's "unidentified bicyclist" who supposedly participated in 
Henderson's group beating -- the Critical Mass riders encountered Henderson 
at the corner of Congress and Second. "We had come to the intersection and 
while we were going through, the light turned red," he said. In an effort 
to keep the group together, the riders continued through the red light.
=====================================

Scott Dossett

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