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Hi folks,
I'm an avid cyclist and fan of getting more cars off the street. However, due to my job as a musician, I sometimes have to haul a lot of gear across town on friday evenings. This evening I was heading home from a much earlier set than usual, and found myself, happily, being overtaken by the horde of critical mass.
My mood soured when I was cussed at, called names, had my vehicle slapped and spit upon. I even said, in a very reasonable tone, "I'm a cyclist, I'm with YOU guys" and was only insulted for driving a car.
I hadn't participated in a critical mass in a long time, and thanks to this display, I will certainly never again. It seems what used to be a peaceful form of protest has turned in to a "Us vs. Them" mentality amongst SF cyclists. I'm not an asshole for driving. And I'm CERTAINLY a respectful auto driver towards fellow cyclists. It seems when the hive mind is active and you're safe in numbers, it's totally reasonable to react in complete revulsion to auto drivers.
Please, have more respect. People who drive cars (or by happenstance, finds themselves in the midst of critical mass), should be treated this way. It certainly makes the pro-bike argument look more extreme and potentially dangerous.
I'm an avid cyclist and fan of getting more cars off the street. However, due to my job as a musician, I sometimes have to haul a lot of gear across town on friday evenings. This evening I was heading home from a much earlier set than usual, and found myself, happily, being overtaken by the horde of critical mass.
My mood soured when I was cussed at, called names, had my vehicle slapped and spit upon. I even said, in a very reasonable tone, "I'm a cyclist, I'm with YOU guys" and was only insulted for driving a car.
I hadn't participated in a critical mass in a long time, and thanks to this display, I will certainly never again. It seems what used to be a peaceful form of protest has turned in to a "Us vs. Them" mentality amongst SF cyclists. I'm not an asshole for driving. And I'm CERTAINLY a respectful auto driver towards fellow cyclists. It seems when the hive mind is active and you're safe in numbers, it's totally reasonable to react in complete revulsion to auto drivers.
Please, have more respect. People who drive cars (or by happenstance, finds themselves in the midst of critical mass), should be treated this way. It certainly makes the pro-bike argument look more extreme and potentially dangerous.
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Harassed, insulted and spit upon. SF Critical mass: 7/25/08
Fri, August 8, 2008 - 7:18 AMYeah, sadly some folks get sucked into the whole mob mentality thing and lose sight of what they're doing. Radical self expression does not give one the right to turn into an asshole.
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Re: Harassed, insulted and spit upon. SF Critical mass: 7/25/08
Wed, September 10, 2008 - 10:47 AMIf you are physically unable to ride a bike, or trike (those without legs, and others with severe respiritory problems- wearing O2 tanks, etc) certainly have no other option but to drive a car. I'm OK with that. I feel that they should be the only ones with cars in urban areas. everyone else can ride, use transit, etc. Just because you can drive a car, doesn't mean we should.
And the OP- with all the music equipment- of course you should be hauling that stuff in a car. it makes sense. I'm sure there's a way to do it with a bike and the right trailer, but it's more efficient and more secure to use a car. I totally agree with you.
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Re: Harassed, insulted and spit upon. SF Critical mass: 7/25/08
Fri, January 30, 2009 - 7:24 PMdont feel bad they beat up old men and women too
