December 7

I'm not trying talking about Pearl Harbor Day but about the latest attempt by ABQ cyclists to have a Critical Mass Ride where we actually can reach critical mass.

Cyclists, regardless of bicycle orientation, can help make a statement to motorists on December 7th. Come to the UNM Duck Pond @ 5:00pm for a cool ride staring at 5:30.

I'm not a rebel critical mass rider and will want to ride in a reasonable manner - but I still want to make a statement to motorists that we are here and have every right to be on ABQ streets.

Come join us!!

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Comment by Benny the Icepick on December 3, 2007 at 1:09pm: I'm there.

See the post in Burque Bikers

Comment by Diluted on December 3, 2007 at 2:04pm: I will try to make it! ;)

Comment by once banned twice shy on December 3, 2007 at 3:19pm: DougR: the point of any Critical Mass, whether an anarchical type or whether orderly, is to make sure motorists see cyclists in force on the roads and realize that we have a right to be on the road. Hence, it would be really stupid to try and ride in places which had little to no auto traffic--the point is to get motorists to accept the concept of "sharing the road."

That being said, I adamantly oppose those Critical Mass rides during which riders block traffic or ride in a way contrary to the law. The way to get motorists to accept cyclists is not by annoying them and impeding their movement--after all, cyclists get pretty angry when a car impedes their progress, right?

Comment by Steve Mathias on December 3, 2007 at 3:36pm: Note the Critical Mass motto: "We're not blocking traffic... We ARE traffic." The whole point is to raise the awareness of automobile drivers that cyclists are also people driving vehicles, and have the same right to be on the roads as cars. It defeats the purpose if we publicize the route and allow people to avoid and ignore us. Cyclists are NEVER able to ignore the cars and their drivers that refuse to accept our right to be on the road, or to share it with us. Cyclists are far too often the VICTIMs in car-bicycle "accidents" with the results usually being far more serious than being slightly inconvenienced. I'm not advocating for a hugely confrontational or disruptive Critical Mass, as I think that ends up being counter productive. However, the whole point is to get people to stop, think and change their ways. Toward that end, I advocate for not publicizing the route. (As an aside, Critical Mass is not organized by any person or group, so it is really impractical to expect that a route could be agreed upon and announced before hand anyway.)

Comment by Bret on December 3, 2007 at 3:50pm: Speaking of "car vs. bike" was there ever any closure to the James Quinn vehiculer manslaughter case. Last I heard we where all awaiting some info about the investgation to be released from BCSD.

Comment by Michael P. "Martini Mike" D'Arco on December 3, 2007 at 3:53pm: Here is some useful info from the City of Albuquerque...

8-3-3-14 RIDING ON THE RIGHT.
(A) Every bicyclist upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable.

(B) Every bicyclist, in compliance with division (A) of this section, may maintain his position on the right side of the roadway against a vehicle coming up behind him which is without room to pass in the same lane.

(C) The provisions of this section shall not apply, however, when compliance with division (A) would place the bicyclist in a right-turn-only lane and the bicyclist does not intend to turn right, or when compliance with division (A) would prevent the bicyclist from making a left-hand turn from the left side of the right traveling side of the roadway.

('74 Code, § 9-5-16.14) (Ord. 65-1974)

§ 8-3-3-15 TRAVELING IN GROUPS.
(A) Persons riding bicycles in a business district of the city shall ride in single file.

(B) Persons riding bicycles on a roadway other than in a business district shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles where more than two abreast may ride in safety.

('74 Code, § 9-5-16.15) (Ord. 65-1974)

I believe they are also required to follow the same speed limits posted for cars on said roads.

Comment by once banned twice shy on December 3, 2007 at 4:32pm: Bret: BikeABQ is working on getting that report, which the Sheriff's department has already turned over to the DA. Don't get your hopes up, though...

Martini Mike: I am almost positive that bikes are not required to follow the same speed limit as posted for cars--so as to prevent bicycles from being pulled over for going "too slow"-- a ploy which has been used in some jurisdictions. Bicycles usually are slower traffic and are required to keep to the right.

Comment by Steve Mathias on December 3, 2007 at 4:37pm: Martini Mike: Here's some more useful information from the City of Albuquerque...

8-3-3-11 DUTY OF MOTORIST TO BICYCLIST.

A. In approaching or passing a person on a bicycle, every person operating a motor vehicle shall proceed with caution and shall pass such bicyclist at a reasonable speed and keep a safe distance from him; provided however, in no event shall a distance of less than five feet be considered a safe distance within the meaning of this division.

B. No person operating a motor vehicle shall harass or endanger a bicyclist by the movement or maneuvering of his motor vehicle.

('74 Code, § 9-5-16.11) (Ord. 65-1974)

8-3-3-12 MOTORIST TURNING ACROSS BICYCLE LANE.

A. Whenever a motorist is turning across a bicycle lane or path, such motorist shall maintain a proper lookout for bicyclists and shall yield the right-of-way to any bicyclist traveling in a bicycle lane or path and, prior to turning right, shall merge, if practicable, into the bicycle lane to his right, if any, before the start of the turning movement.

B. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to relieve the motorist of duties imposed by § 8-2-2-2. [Note 8-2-2-2(A)(1), (B)(1) and (E)(1).]

('74 Code, § 9-5-16.12) (Ord. 65-1974)

Comment by Droog on December 3, 2007 at 5:51pm: Rrrrgh. That sounds like fun but I'm at work until 6.

Comment by brendisimo on December 3, 2007 at 7:59pm: Chelly,
I would love to join the critical massers in Albuquerque, but unfortunately i won't be officially living there until just before x-mas. Is your plan to have a ride every first friday of the month?
I just did critical mass this past friday in San Francisco (where I'm currently living) and it was great. Lately the mass has been broken up pretty quickly but this time everyone tried to stay together. We did Lombard street, two tunnels and circled union square a few times. I don't participate in critical mass to harass car drivers, I do it for the love of biking and the energy you get by riding in a huge group. I love hearing pedestrians (mostly tourists) say "I've never seen such a site in my life!" I get a thrill out of blowing peoples minds and making them think twice about transportation.
Let us know how it turned out! and see you next time!