diggler wrote:If CM is a bunch ride, they could use the Sydney Harbour Bridge bike path. Why do they travel where the cars are meant to go?
Roads are not simply for cars. They are for all transport. The genesis of Critical Mass was mixed, but a large part of it was reclaiming the right to safely travel a space that is meant to be for more than just metal caged motorised transport.
Mulger bill wrote:I'm thinking of starting a poll on who owns a bike as a utilitarian transport option and who does not, methinks the result might be interestingly informative in relation to this thread...
The differences in attitudes between cyclists who primarily see cycling as a sport and hobby and those who see it primarily as transport is stark. This clash of cultures and attitudes is quite clear in many threads. Lycra and helmet debates are two obvious points of difference. Another interesting one was the recent thread of the best place for cycling in Australia. A few answered Melbourne's inner north. These people clearly see cycling as transport not as a sport.
I don't see anything wrong with having different reasons for cycling.
But given that we all believe cycling needs strong advocacy I believe that it is quite sad when one group puts a dampener on the desires of another. I believe this is occurring regarding comments on critical mass and regarding MHLs.
It would be nice to see more agreement in groups when it comes to advocacy. While our needs may be different I'd prefer to see a situation where groups are not opposing each other.
Personally I want for a world where anybody can feel free to cycle how that want and wearing what they want. I want Australians to be able to feel safe on our roads and not discouraged from cycling for unnecessary reasons like image, helmets and abuse.
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As many might already know, I'm primarily a transport cyclist. I've loved cycling since the age of 5. Sure it's also recreation, but I love cycling so much that it is more important to me than simply a hobby. My other love for it is the way it can benefit communities and oppose the destruction that the motorcar has inflicted.)