We Are Traffic

Anyone who has struggled to maneuver a bike around a busy city will relate to the experience of the folks in We Are Traffic. As a xerocracy, the group known as Critical Mass has no central leadership, and anyone is free to suggest a bike ride to the group. A major objective of this group is to gain back the streets as cyclists, who are usually always the minority (and a pesky obstacle in the eyes of rush hour traffic drivers). I thought the documentary was revealing in the ways the mass media can avoid covering something (in this case, the police brutality used to stop a ride in San Francisco). This just goes to show how y0u must consult many sources to find the truth. And as our Main Building refers to at UT Austin, knowing the truth shall set you free.

It was refreshing to see Critical Mass take an entirely new approach to protest. Instead of angrily protesting, the majority in this loose organization viewed the ride as a time to let loose and have a great time with fellow members of the community. I particularly enjoyed the sign "Honk If You Love Bicycles" that was displayed at intersections full of honking cars, as well as the "Get Off Your Assphault" flyer. This comical, good-humored approach to the protest won over many people. Also, instead of viewing people in cars as the enemy, they were viewed as allies. The concept of Critical Mass proved to be hugely successful, as events were staged around the world. Each city has its own unique riding culture, as there is not a hierarchy of leaders and managers. I see that some cities (e.g. Chicago) still have a fairly active group of Critical Mass riders, but it appears that the heyday for Critical Mass was in the '90s. Future protesters can learn something by studying the tactics used by Critical Mass.