[*BCM*] Storrow Drive

[David St.Germain]

It's a shaky argument to say that critical mass should ride on Storrow  
Drive simply because it's legal for bikes to be there.  I doubt it's  
legal for bikes to ride in both lanes on Storrow Drive (which would've  
continued if the motorcycle cop hadn't been there) or to exit Storrow  
and turn left at a right-turn-only intersection, clogging traffic and  
confusing drivers.  People also blocked cars heading in the opposite  
direction, when there was no reason to do so other than to cause  
trouble.
It's one thing to say that critical mass can go wherever it wants  
because we're bicyclists, and drivers need to take notice.  It's  
another to claim that critical mass is justified in riding on quasi- 
highways because it's legal, while turning a blind eye to all of the  
illegal directions the mass takes.

I also wouldn't hold up this instance as a reason to disband critical  
mass or say "I told you so," as some people seem eager to do.  I think  
the people at the front need better judgement about where they lead  
hundreds of cyclists.  Don't block intersections if you don't have to;  
don't go the wrong way down one-way streets; don't ride into oncoming  
traffic; get out of the way if you hear sirens behind you.  If we need  
more solidarity, it's solidarity of good judgement, not solidarity of  
the righteousness of a cause.


Dave


On Nov 1, 2008, at 14:55 , turtle wrote:

> Most of Storrow is NOT limited access, with lights, and
> intersections...  I'm not sure how long a stretch of road needs to be
> limited access to be considered legally limited access, but it's a
> pretty short stretch (less than a couple of miles, tops), so it would
> really be stretching it to say Storrow is a "limited access"
> highway...
>
> Just FYI,
>
> -Turil
>
>
> -- 
> Living Philosophy
> http://www.thewiseturtle.com
> .
> "I'm not a genius. I'm just a tremendous bundle of experience."
> R. Buckminster Fuller
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