August 8- 2008 Ride Upcoming

Record the olympics, go have your sporting event!
--------------------------

Yes indeed, Hear Ye Hear Ye.


The time has come, to bid the summer good bye.

  So long farewell our fare friend, while you leave us, you leave us your Damn HEAT!

What better way to beat the heat than ride the wind.


So come on out on your bicycles, your trikes, your tandems, your uni's, cruisers, racers, moutaineers, sidecars and all other forms of people powered transporation.


WHAT:   -- Biking for Awareness in Lafayette --

WHEN:   --Friday----August 8th--

Place:    -- Parc Sans Souci at the Fountain
                 Downtown Lafayette

Time:      -- Meetup at 5:30pm --
COST:   -- FREE --


This months theme: Scandalous Summerwear (but feel free to dress normal and appropriate)
Advisory: Be street legal (no pun intended)


Afterparty: The Gracious Devin upon his Matriculation at the University de Louisiane a Lafayette shall bequeath upon us with care and courtesy requested, a venue for which to celebrate this summer's fine eve.



Ride your bikes this Friday to get the 411 on the afterparty.



At the party:    Cold Brew
                      Watermelon
                      Jam Session
                      Drum Circle
Bring your: own goodies to eat.


Respect the hosts, don't do what you wouldn't do.



Do bring your good vibes.



C'est tout?

Party begins around 8pmish.....
so get ready for a long ride.


We'll take a couple breaks.  Don't fear the break as the ride ending, it's just a stop to rest, recover, rejuvenate.




Remember to bring:
                                WATER - Energy Bars, etc.


                                A Hat.


                                Light and Breezy garments.

(maybe even a change of shirt)
                                The Noise.




Don't forget the pack....It will be behind you. Respect your fellows, by dropping back to fill in the gaps. Don't leave anyone behind.



Cheers, et nous regardons un peu de temps.



_______________________________________
ALMOST FORGOT... BRING YOUR SPARE OLD BUMMED UP TEESHIRTS.

or any shirt you like, plain is better, colors okay, just plain, cuz we'll have stencils and paint to make your own screens!

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Quotes

"

We conceived Critical Mass to be a new kind of political space, not about PROTESTING, but about CELEBRATING our vision of preferable alternatives, most obviously in this case bicycling over car culture.

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Next Month’s Ride - July 11th, 2008

Can someone make a flyer for the next two rides?
After that, the college returns to regularly scheduled programming, and the September ride will be the first during the semester (for you academicians)

As for next month, July 11th...It's going to be sorely hot, and just as much daylight as last time.

(Hopefully without the humidity)
Everyone's going to make a concerted effort to make the ride safer, and more clear. As some riders are knew to this whole thing, understandably, its a bit daunting at first. (One suggestion, avoid all the four lanes! Make liberal use of neighborhood U-turns, stay with the group, and use the blowhorn if someone gets separated.

)
Again, do your research here online to understand the nature of the critical mass beast.



So, now then, which one of you fine people has a happening crib, and would take up the challenge of hosting the party after the ride?

Anyone got turntables or a band that wants to play out?

A blank wall and a projector?
Bike movies?

Do some research and organize your favorite idea.



See ya'll soon, and if anyone wants to take a ride to Baton Rouge next Friday, on June 27th, just hit us up by replying to this message.


The RedStickians pretty much start off on the same timeslot, but if you've never been around town there, it's a COOL experience to ride the normally forlorn streets of the Stick on a bike. Trust Us, it's cool.

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Critical Mass March edition / Downtown Alive kickoff conundrum!
Category: Music

Hey fair denizens of Lafayette and surrounding areas.

I think some of us have a conundrum on our hands....

do we support and have fun to possibly really groovy tunes on March 14th, or do we go off on a ride and miss most of the Downtown Alive show?

Of course, Crit Mass is set for us here on the 14th, the second Friday of the month.
but, there is a really cool Downtown alive scheduled for that night, which leaves me feeling conflicted
It's called the "17 Hippies" adn they start at 6pm at Parc Int'l.

they are a "berlin based band playing mix of Eastern melodies, Balkan rhythms, French songs, and Anglo and Cajun musice, a self described renegagde acoustic Band, of 13 pieces group, with 12 years and 1,200 concerts under their belt."

I think we should modify critical mass so as to avoid missing this.
I think if we all critically single ourselves up there to watch, and then take off a few hours later, we will have our objective for the night.

what do ya'll think?  Post comments to this bulletin so we can see each other's thoughts and maybe come up with some consensus feel, ya heard?

--Jason

http://www.lafayettedowntown.org/Events/EventsDisplay.asp?p1=2235&p2=Y&p9=E&E=N

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Saturday Morning Rides to the Farmer’s Market....?

So, we hear enthusiasm for Saturday morning rides to the Farmer's Market.

Who wants to sign up to instigate this ride?
It can be weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, whatever ya'll like.

In this city of Lafayette area, our only option at the moment is the market on the corners of Dulles Drive / Foreman Drive / Marie Antoinette St.

There are a number of wonderful ways to get there from the University/Downtown area, however, transversely, if there are riders in the other direction of town who'd like to do this, now is your opportunity.  Choose a gathering point, and plan to leave at a certain time to ride together to this southside central location.

The market is open from 6a-10am every Saturday. (Incidentally, it's also open on Tuesday and Thursdays, same hours more or less.
It's been there for 30 years, and while not organic, it is locally grown, and to some extent on a smaller scale.

Engaging the growers will help you express your preferences and desires for food, and you are supporting the local economy, and not supporting the military industrial complex by driving your car insuring it and gassing it.

YEAH BIKE!

Post comments / sign ups below.

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Bicycle repair tutorial
Current mood: inspired

http://bicycletutor.com/

Get those bikes ready!!!

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Critical Mass in the Lafayette Press

"> Times of Acadiana - reports about Lafayette Critical Mass
http://timesofacadiana.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/NEWS01/801160311/1002/NEWS01

Mass appeal
Bicycle enthusiasts let their presence be known with Critical Mass bike ride


By TIM LANDRY
tim.landry@timesofacadiana.com

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Christmas Lights Critical Mass Ride - Fri Nov 30

..>..>

Optional Bike Ride

Body:

Crit Mass Lafayette is going to get together this Friday Nov 30th and ride from our usual Downtown spot, down to the Oil Center Festival of Lights. Yes, this is a special holiday option. Same time same place. It will be dark, so remember to have your flashers and head lights on. And probably a nip cold too, so get's ya'lls gloves on, and let's have some fun. Friday - 5:30pm Parc Sans Souci to Oil Center and back.

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TRAFFIC LAWS - Louisiana Revised Statutes (Must Read)

..>..>

FYI to Everyone, just to be congnizant of what the laws are. Louisiana Laws Revised statutes (Must Read)

TITLE 32. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC REGULATION §106. Methods of giving hand and arm signals All signals herein required to be given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner, and such signals shall indicate as follows: (1) Left turn--hand and arm extended horizontally, with the hand open and the back of the hand to the rear. (2) Right turn--hand and arm extended upward at an angle of forty-five degrees from shoulder or elbow, with the hand open and the back of the hand to the rear. (3) Stop or decrease speed--start--hand and arm extended downward at an angle of forty-five degrees from shoulder or elbow, with the hand open and the back of the hand to the rear. (4) Pulling from curb or side of highway--same as for left turn. Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. §193. Operation of bicycles; general provision The regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated hereafter. Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. §194. Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this state shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Chapter, except as to special regulations in this Part and except as to those provisions of this Chapter which by their very nature can have no application. Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. §195. Riding on bicycles A. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent or regular seat attached thereto. B. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. C. A person operating a bicycle shall at all times keep at least one hand upon the handle bars thereof. Acts 1962 No. 310, §1. §196. Clinging to vehicles No person riding upon any bicycle, skates, skateboard or any other nonmotorized rideable device shall attach himself or the device to any vehicle upon a highway. Acts 1962, No. 310, §1; Acts 2004, No. 572, §1 §197. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. C. Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway. Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. §199. Bicycle helmets; restraining seats A. The following words and phrases when used in this Section shall have the meaning assigned to them: (1) "Approved helmet" means a bicycle helmet that meets or exceeds the following minimum bicycle helmet safety standards: (a) A bicycle helmet that was manufactured prior to March, 1999, shall meet or exceed the minimum bicycle helmet safety standards set by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation. (b) A bicycle helmet that was manufactured after March, 1999, shall meet or exceed the minimum bicycle helmet safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2) "Bicycle" means a human-powered vehicle with two tandem wheels designed to transport, by pedaling, one or more persons. (3) "Operator" means a person who travels on a bicycle seated on a saddle seat from which that person is intended to and can pedal the bicycle. (4) "Passenger" means any person who travels on a bicycle in any manner except as an operator. (5) "Restraining seat" means a seat separate from the saddle seat of the operator of the bicycle that is fastened securely to the frame of the bicycle and is adequately equipped to restrain the passenger in such seat and protect such passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle. B. With regard to any bicycle used on a public roadway, public bicycle path, or other public right-of-way, no parent, guardian, or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child shall knowingly allow any of the following: (1) Such child under the age of twelve to operate or ride as a passenger on a bicycle without wearing an approved helmet of good fit fastened securely upon the head with the straps of the helmet. (2) Such child who weighs less than forty pounds or is less than forty inches in height to be a passenger on a bicycle without being properly seated in and adequately secured to a restraining seat. §329. Bicycles; front lamps; side and rear reflectors A. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear and a reflector on each side facing outward at a right angle to the bicycle frame, all of a type approved by the department which shall be visible from all distances within six hundred feet to one hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector. B. After December 31, 1974, no person shall sell or offer for sale any bicycle unless such bicycle is equipped with at least one red reflector on the rear and one reflector on each side as required by this section. This section shall not apply to bicycles while engaged in sanctioned competition races. Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 35, §1. §346. Brakes on bicycles Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement. Acts 1962, No. 310, §1.

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A Primer on Critical Mass

With thanks to Critical Mass - Houston for this good read.

-please read-

Critical Mass rides are self-organized, non-commercial and non-competitive, and they operate with diffused and informal decision-making, independent of leaders. They are often also unofficial, foregoing permits and official sanction from municipal authorities. Typically, only the meeting place, date, and time are fixed. In some cities, the route, finishing point, or attractions along the way may be planned ahead. Participants have differing purposes for the event, such as celebrating their choice of the bicycle for transportation, ^[2] and enjoying car-free social time on city streets. ^[3]

Critical Mass rides have been perceived as protest activities. A 2006 New Yorker magazine article described Critical Mass' activity in New York City as "monthly political-protest rides", and characterized Critical Mass as a part of a social movement; ^[4] and the UK e-zine Urban75, which advertises as well as publishes photographs of the Critical Mass event in London, describes this as "the monthly protest by cyclists reclaiming the streets of London".^[5] However, Critical Mass participants have insisted that these events should be viewed as "celebrations" and spontaneous gatherings, and not as protests or organized demonstrations.^[6][7] This stance allows Critical Mass to argue a legal position that its events can occur without advance notification of local police.^[8][9]

Critical Mass rides vary greatly in many respects, including frequency and number of participants. For example, many small cities have monthly Critical Mass rides with fewer than twenty riders, while on the opposite extreme, in what have been the largest events using the name Critical Mass, cyclists in Budapest, Hungary hold only two rides each year on 22 September (International Car Free Day) and 22 April (Earth Day). They attract tens of thousands of riders.^[10] The April 22, 2007 Budapest ride participation was generally estimated at 50,000 riders. ^{[citation needed]}

[edit] History

San Francisco Critical Mass, April 29, 2005.

The first ride took place on Friday, September 25, 1992 at 6 P.M. in San Francisco. At that time, the event was known as Commute Clot and was composed of a couple of dozen cyclists who had received flyers on Market Street.^[1]

Shortly after this, some participants in that ride went to a local bicycle shop for a screening of Ted White's documentary Return of the Scorcher, about bike culture overseas. In that film, American human powered vehicle and pedicab designer George Bliss noted that, in China, both motorists and bicyclists had an understood method of negotiating intersections without signals. Traffic would "bunch up" at these intersections until the back log reached a "critical mass" at which point that mass would move through the intersection. The term caught on and replaced Commute Clot as a name at the time of the second event.^[1]

By the time of the fourth ride, the number of cyclists had increased to around 100 and participation continued to grow dramatically, reaching about 1,000 riders, on average.^[1]

The name was soon adopted as a generic label by participants in similar but independent mass rides that were either initiated in various locations around the world at around the same time, or had already existed before 1992 under other names. It is estimated that there are Critical Mass-type rides in more than 325 cities to date. The term "Masser" is sometimes applied to frequent participants. ^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Structure

Critical Mass differs from many other social movements in its rhizomal (rather than hierarchical) structure. Critical Mass is sometimes called an "organized coincidence", with no leadership or membership. The routes of some rides are decided spontaneously by whoever is currently at the front of the ride, others are decided prior to the ride by a popular vote of suggested routes often drawn up on photocopied flyers. The term xerocracy was coined to describe a process by which the route for a Critical Mass can be decided: anyone who has an opinion makes their own map and distributes it to the cyclists participating in the Mass. Still other rides decide the route by consensus. The "disorganized" nature of the event allows it to largely escape clampdown by authorities who may view the rides as forms of parades or organized protest. Additionally, the movement is free from the structural costs associated with a centralized, hierarchical organization. In order for the event to function, the only requirement is a sufficient turn-out to create a "critical mass" of riders dense enough to occupy a piece of road to the exclusion of motorized road users.^{[citation needed]} Authorities in New York, California and Oregon have expressed concern with the difficulty of coordinating with the riders, due to the lack of leadership.^{[11][12] [13]}

Detail from the November 20, New Haven includes the event in its city-published Green Map. ^[14]

[edit] Corking

Because Critical Mass takes place without an official route or sanction, participants practice a tactic known as "corking" in order to maintain the cohesion of the group. This tactic consists of a few riders blocking traffic from side roads so that the mass can freely proceed through red lights without interruption. Corking allows the mass to engage in a variety of activities, such as circling in an intersection, or lifting their bikes in a tradition known as a Chicago hold-up. The 'Corks' sometimes take advantage of their time corking to distribute flyers.

Critics argue that the practice of corking roads in order to pass through red lights as a group is contrary to Critical Mass' claim that "we are traffic", since ordinary traffic (including bicycle traffic) does not usually have the right to go through intersections once the traffic signal has changed to red, unless issued with a specific permit or residing in jurisdictions where bicyclists have this right (such as the Idaho, USA Bicycle Law ^[15]).^{[citation needed]} Corking has sometimes translated into hostility between motorists and riders, even erupting into violence and arrests during Critical Mass rides.^[16]

[edit] Criticism

Critical Mass has been the subject of criticism from authorities and motorists in the various cities in which it takes place.

[edit] Conflicts with motorists

Critics have claimed that Critical Mass is a deliberate attempt to obstruct automotive traffic and cause a disruption of normal city functions, asserting that individuals taking part in Critical Mass refuse to obey the vehicular traffic laws that apply to cyclists the same as they do to drivers of other vehicles.^[17]

In the San Francisco Bay Area, there have been several incidents of violence during Critical Mass events.^[18]

On the evening of March 30, 2007 in San Francisco, toward the end of Critical Mass, Susan Ferrando of Redwood City, California claimed to have found herself in the middle of a group of bicyclists and tried to drive through them resulting in hundreds of bicyclists surrounding her minivan while her 11 and 13 year old daughters watched from inside. Ferrando denies striking a cyclist but claims they banged on the sides of her car, "keyed" the paint, and threw a bicycle through the rear window of the vehicle, causing $5,300 in damage.^[19]

On May 11, 2007, a similar incident occurred in Berkeley, Calfornia. According to a Bicycle Civil Liberites Union press release, a "motorist with his wife deliberately ran into the side of the monthly Berkeley Critical Mass bicycle demonstration"^[20] and caused approximately $3,000 worth of damage to bicycles.^[21] However, the driver and two third-party witnesses told police that the bikers threw their bicycles under the vehicle. Subsequently, Critical Mass participants pounded on the hood and windows of the car and the windshield of the vehicle was shattered.^[22]

On July 27, 2007, while the Chicago ride was heading to the Spindle in Berwyn, Illinois, an allegedly drunk driver plowed into the mass while attempting to flee the scene of a previous accident. Ten year old Will Healy, who was riding with his mother and sister, was directly hit by the car. Healy flew up onto the hood of the car, but was not severely injured. Several other bicyclists were injured or had their bicycles damaged while attempting to move out of the way of the car. The driver, Robert Rogers, 34, of Maywood, IL was quickly apprehended by police who were riding with and monitoring the group.^{[23] [24]}

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, in April 2007, requested that Critical Mass riders "police themselves." "It does the bicycle-advocacy community no good to have people that are aggressive and dispirit the entire movement," Newsom said. "I would encourage the bicycle coalition to say, 'Look, we don't put up with this, enough is enough.'"^[25]

[edit] Conflicts with authorities

Metropolitan Police officers with their cycles awaiting the start of Critical Mass London, April 2006.

In 1997, the Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown, was asked by a journalist at a press conference how he planned to control Critical Mass. The Mayor was quoted in the press as threatening the riders with arrest, along with various belittling of bicyclists. The reaction and extensive press coverage grew into a confrontation at the July 25, 1997 ride. The local newspapers had published a route, although many riders were hesitant about—or flatly against—cooperation with it. On Friday the Mayor addressed the crowd at the Embarcadero meeting place but was shouted down. The crowd of approximately 7,000 bicyclists quickly split into many parts, each being chased or monitored by police units, including helicopters. This resulted in extensive turmoil throughout the downtown area and many arrests and bicycle confiscations.

Bennett Hall, a professional photographer, claimed to have witnessed a San Francisco police officer writing a citation for a bicyclist who had committed no offense. While photographing the event, Hall further alleges that the police then improperly arrested him and seized his camera. Another pedestrian attempted to take the camera to bring it to the San Francisco Chronicle, but he was also arrested.[26]

After the US 2004 Republican National Convention coincided with the August 2004 New York City Critical Mass, many court cases resulted regarding the legality of the ride, confronting issues of whether police have the right to arrest cyclists and seize their bicycles, and whether the event needs a permit. In December of 2004, a federal judge threw out New York City's injunction against Critical Mass as a "political event."^[27] On March 23, 2005, the city filed a lawsuit, seeking to prevent TIME'S UP!, a local nonprofit, direct action, environmental group, from promoting or advertising Critical Mass rides. The lawsuit also stated TIME'S UP! and the general public could not participate in riding or gathering at the Critical Mass bike ride, claiming a permit was required. A documentary film, Still We Ride shows the nature of these bike rides before and after the police took notice.^[28][29][30]

In September 2005, Critical Mass in London found itself in conflict with the law when the Metropolitan Police gave out notices announcing a requirement that the organisers of the mass provide a route six days before the event. In addition, they stated that the Mass may be restricted in the future, and arrests would result if their orders were not followed. The threat was quickly moderated when politicians and cyclist groups voiced objections. The following ride, that of October 2005, was tremendously well attended, with estimates approaching the figure of 1200 participants. There was a long stop in Parliament Square, part of the Government's exclusion area in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. However, this event also led to a particularly slow and cumbersome ride which brought some debate^{[citation needed]} from London cycling groups.^{[attribution needed]}

Another consequence of the police notice was that a participant sought a declaration from the High Court of England and Wales that there was no requirement to notify police about the Critical Mass rides. After what the judgment describes as a "friendly action" in which the claimant and the police agreed not to seek damages, the Court ruling^[31] on June 27, 2006 agreed with the claimant that the Critical Mass rides were exempt from notification under Section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986.

On March 14, 2007 the issue was taken to the Court of Appeal by the Metropolitan Police. On May 21, 2007 the court ruled in their favour^[32] by a majority of 2 to 1.^[33] Friends of the Earth, who are helping Critical Mass with the legal action, have now indicated that the case will be going to England's highest legal authority, the House of Lords.

Police in Oregon and New York have cited concerns that Critical Mass may delay emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, due to the traffic disruption.^[11][12] An expert retained by bicyclists suing New York City gave the opinion that such claims are without merit.^[34]

On July 27, 2007 in Vilnius, Lithuania, police took five critical mass participants into custody, including two minors, for not following orders to disband. At least two of them later reported to have been beaten and injured by police officers. A court case is set to take place in August. ^[35]

On August 31, 2007 in Minneapolis, police arrested nineteen critical mass participants, including two minors.^[36] The adults were reported to have been arrested on suspicion of rioting, a gross misdemeanor. ^[37]

Also on August 31, 2007, seven riders in the Chicago Critical Mass were arrested on charges of obstructing traffic and disobeying police. The seven were held overnight. ^[38]

[edit] Reaction of other cyclists

Some bicycling advocacy groups have expressed concern that the controversial nature of Critical Mass and altercations with motorists could weaken public support for bicyclists.^[12] Though it does not condone incidents of violence and rudeness, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition credits Critical Mass with spotlighting bicycle issues and aiding their efforts in advocating for cyclists.^[1]

[edit] Critical Manners

In San Francisco, a splinter event known as "Critical Manners," was created as a response to Critical Mass. Critical Manners rides through the city on the second Friday of the month, but in contrast with Critical Mass, the riders obey all traffic laws, such as stopping at red lights and signaling.^[39][40]

There are also conversations about starting Critical Manners in Portland, Oregon.^[41]

[edit] General Impact

Although there is no consensus as to the overall effect of the ride on street conditions for cyclists or on public perceptions of bicycling, a few examples show the extent to which the ride has permeated various subcultures:

The name of the event has been subjected to word play in many contexts, ranging from advertising campaigns for commercial products to numerous other public events,^[42] some with only remote similarities to Critical Mass.^{[citation needed]} The extensive news coverage of San Francisco's July 1997 ride spawned an international celebration of bicycling, called Bike Summer.^[43] The Rand Corporation produced a white paper entitled "What Next for Networks and Netwars?" analyzing the tactics of the ride, as part of an evaluation of decentralized decision-making for potential military battlefield use.^[44] The ride has generated books,^[45] documentary films,^[46] murals,^[47] and other secondary artifacts.

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