As long as Critical Mass exists in Portland it will be controversial and divisive. Recent events have renewed the debate about its merits and purpose within the cycling community and beyond.
Critical Mass is a big, complex idea that has as many definitions as participants. No one person can define Critical Mass and each city has its own, unique set of rules for dealing with it. Given its controversial and emotional past and present, we can debate and argue about it forever.
Personally I remain ambivalent. However, instead of using this platform to advocate for its demise, resurgence or transformation, or having to choose sides between friends on the force and friends on the ride, I would rather hear from you.
I would like to know your answer to this question:
If you live in Portland, please share your personal, first-person thoughts. This is not a debate, so please try and avoid arguments or philosophical diatribes for or against Critical Mass. I think once we remove the controversy, name-calling, and politics from Critical Mass, we can begin to figure out where we should go from here.
I’m especially interested in hearing from people outside the bike community so I encourage you to forward this question on to your friends and neighbors. Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts.