Portland Critical Mass, August 2005.(File photo) While bouncing around some bike links the other day, I came across a story published yesterday in the L.A.Times about the age old question over the intentions and impacts of Critical Mass. That debate is nothing new, but at the end of the article the writer mentioned a ride … Read more
File photo: 8/26/05 The Portland Police Bureau released their Annual Traffic Activity Summary yesterday. The report details all the traffic violations and expenditures for 2006. Among the stats was a page devoted to “Non-permitted Protest, Demonstration, Critical Mass”. It’s important to note not only how they categorize their presence at Critical Mass, but the amount … Read more
Police presence at a Portland Critical Mass ride in August 2005.File photo: 8/26/05 The Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division will no longer be in charge of Portland’s Critical Mass ride. Seeking to remove a layer of management, the Bureau has decided to give the duty of patrolling the monthly ride to Southeast Precinct Lieutenant Bob … Read more
By Elly Blue As we debate stop signs, police enforcement, targeting of bicyclists (or not), and the definition of a brake, let’s clearly draw one distinction. On the one hand, there is the idea, often brought out at times like this, that some (or most) bicyclists think they are above the law. On the other … Read more
Rising Tide North America is an activist group that raises awareness for the “root causes of climate change.” Tonight, the group is using our monthly Critical Mass ride—and 28 others around the U.S. and Canada—to raise awareness for their cause and to draw attention to the anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. According to the … Read more
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 … Read more
[Photo Kerrke Yu] The calm and civility that has long been the hallmark of Portland’s Critical Mass ride was shattered last Friday. According to a report and photos on Indymedia there were several arrests that got out of hand. As usual, there are several different accounts of what happened. One says the riders instigated the … Read more
Critical Mass defies a neat definition. It is simultaneously revered, despised, and tolerated. Regardless of what you think about it, it’s important to remember that everyone does the ride for different reasons, and every city’s Mass has a different vibe. Here in Portland, our ride is completely civil and law-abiding. Cyclists and cops even have … Read more
On Friday’s Critical Mass we timed the tree-lighting ceremony in Pioneer Courthouse Square just right. After creeping up Broadway we ended up stopped just outside Starbucks on the west side of the square when the countdown began and the big tree was lit. It was kind of a cool moment. Our bike bells mingled nicely … Read more
Maria Rubia from the Mayor Potter’s office has requested a white paper from local bike advocate and lawyer Mark Ginsberg and Commissioner Sam Adams’ staffer Roland Chlapowski. The report is meant to detail “currently outstanding issues” with Critical Mass. The report should be completed in the next few weeks.
I’m excited to announce the first poll on BikePortland.org! I figured I’d start with a bang and make this first poll about Critical Mass. I’ve been thinking a lot about CM lately and I’ll post something about it when I have more time…but for now, I’m curious what the vibe is out in the community. … Read more
Tonight’s Critical Mass ride was a blast. I took Eleni in the trailer and we had a great time. Warm breeze, a great route (over the Ross Island Bridge!), some well-chosen music (thank you boom-box bike guy) and a fun group of people all contributed to the good vibe. I hate to mention the cops, … Read more