[dc-critmass-list] SUGGESTION BOX

[docguch at juno.com]

Everyone, 

I had a suggestion.  Just like how Sacramento CM does it.  Lets change
our meet up time to 5 PM (1700) for a pre-ride rally--to protest in favor
of making DC more bicycle friendly, car-free streets, against police
brutality,  pedestrian and bicycle rights, anti-car, pertinent issues,
etc. At 6 PM (1800) or 6:15 PM(1815) take off for the ride.   Advantage
of the pre-ride rally: it lets bystanders and other citizens passing by
Dupont Circle know that it is a Critical Mass bike ride; a pre-ride rally
encourages participation for ones who are fan of bicycling but can't
afford a bicycle, can't ride a bicycle due to disabilities or any other
reasons, time management issues--I would have time to show up to a
pre-ride rally, but after 6 PM I don't have time, etc.

Another suggestion I have; to better communicate to the public, I suggest
one of the CM riders have a decent size sign attached to one of the
riders--preferably on rider in the front and one rider in the rear--that
says "CRITICAL MASS BIKE RIDE!  FIRST FRIDAYS OF THE MONTH, MEET @ DUPONT
CIRCLE @ 5 PM, RIDE OFF @ 6 PM. All walks of life are welcomed."  Having
a sign attached during the bike ride, will better communicate to
bystanders of what is going on.  When we ride, many bystanders are
clueless of what we are doing, our purpose, etc.  This would help
publicize CM's existence in DC, and hopefully churn out a better turnout.
 A rider with a sign attached can be like a mobile billboard.

When riding in CM, please don't be arrogant--by acting like a Virginia
Driver, please give pedestrians that are trying to cross the street the
ride of way.  YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS.  I understand that cars don't deserve
the right of way at intersections, but please give the pedestrians the
right of way,  pedestrians are one of our transportation allies.  

Last ride, I noticed there was a more costumes than usual, that is a good
thing.  Lets get more costumes, If CM would have been on the last Friday
of the month like other cities, it would land on October 31th.  I would
definitely show up to the pre-ride rally in a costume.  If CM would be
changed to the last Friday of the month, it would be in synchronization
with other cities,  especially if it would have been on the last Friday
in September, it would have landed on the 11th anniversary of the first
Critical Mass bike ride,  which occurred on September 1992 in San
Francisco.  I am from the SF Bay Area, but didn't know of it's existence
until Summer of 1997, due to biased media coverage.

There has been a saying about how a nice person turns into a nuisance
when they become car drivers.  Well, with me, when I used to drive a car,
I was nice and considerate to pedestrians and bicyclists, but when
another car drivers irritated me, I road raged on them due to
scapegoating the other car driver for the problems that car cause to our
cities and environment, and not really for the mistake on the road.  I
used to scapegoat other car drivers for problems cars caused, in other
cities I lived, I use to blame them for the reason why that city has an
inadequate mass transit system or why the city has a very pro-car
infrastructure that ignores other modes of transport.  I used to blame
the other car driver, for the reason why the mass transit system was
inadequate, causing me to have to drive a car anywhere I went.  Once I
moved to Downtown Silver Spring, I divorced my car.  I really enjoyed
bicycling riding, but when a car driver acts like a nuisance, I turn into
a nuisance too, which can endanger myself or other bicycle riders.  So I
am sticking only riding my bicycle in my Silver Spring neighborhood. 
Around DC, I will walk and ride mass transit.  I am not going to ride my
bicycle in CM but I am willing to show up with my protest sign at a
pre-ride rally.  

Have a nice day,

Mustafa

PS  :-) I wonder what reBUTTals I am going to receive. :-) 

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