The morning kicked off with a bike "parade" - and I would estimate that nearly 500-600 individuals and their favorite people-powered pedalers took part in this celebration of transportation independence. Local police ensured that this mass of people did not have to stop at any traffic signal we encountered. Even with police escort, passers-by (whether on foot or in car) appeared stunned for the most part. Many cars would try to make left turns through the middle of our peloton...only to be denied mobility by our prowess.
It was a joyous thing - to shut down usage of the roads to those driving in their cars on a gorgeous "autumn" morning. It makes me wish that critical mass had a presence in Phoenix...or at least one that I knew about.
The emcee of the ride (see right) used a bull horn to greet neighborhood residents holding yard sales, pedestrians, and motorists alike with a friendly and cheerful, "Good morning! Happy Saturday folks..." or "I see the bike in your garage - come join us!"
This is the kind of cycling advocacy I can get behind. Make cyclists visible. Do it without aggravating the law. And leave all of those you encounter with a positive taste in their mouth. If all you do is wish someone a pleasant day while smiling from your bike - any bitterness they have should quickly be realized as illogical, irrational and harsh. I do recognize that it isn't always that simple, and that sometimes - more frequently than I wish - cyclists have to stand up for themselves and get vocal. But I think approaching the issue of cycling advocacy with a pleasant, non-confrontational approach will go a long way in the end.
2 comments:
If you visit followyourfolly.com, check out the Team Wonderbike section, where the New Belgium folks help advocate for riding your bike to work instead of driving.
The most heart-warming section is full of descriptions of how our fellow bikers respond to the cars that honk at all of us. I have to agree that it felt great to be part of something so positive and fun, and I can only hope that we can keep the momentum going in this area.
the only problem i had was an old man who refused to acknowledge any of us and slowly moved into the bike lane, even when we were directly alongside him. i wasn't quite sure if i should squeeze past him or stop and separate the parade... I ended up squeezing past him.
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