I spoke with Leah last night about this, and she thinks that the best response is to let the issue die down on its own. Lots of pro bike, pro CM folks have issue with some of the aggressive behavior at CM, just like many sports fans have issue with the frat boy type behavior of certain fans at sporting events. This is a man bites dog media frenzy, and I agree with Leah that letting it blow over is the best approach. The main issue right now is Healthy Saturdays, which may be in jeopardy because of this incident. If we can, lets turn out Monday afternoon (hearing starts at 1:00, will be heard at about 1:30 or so, with public testimony going for as long as it takes- est 2 hours) to support the trail closure of JFK drive on Saturdays. peace, susan On Apr 6, 2007, at 3:37 AM, susan_e_vaughan@juno.com wrote:
We could -- but personally, I have a lot of issues with Critical Mass. I'm turned off by the banshee antagonism of certain elements, the elements that may have been responsible for what happened last Friday night -- not my friends who ride in Critical Mass who I know are respectful.
Sue
-- Susan King <funking@mindspring.com> wrote: Folx,
there are lots of us who are both sympathetic and supportive of Critical Mass, and are advocates for measures that improve conditions for cycling everyday.
Do we want to put out a statement in support of groups like the SFBC and/or a statement about our opinion on Critical Mass, SF Cycling and our key value on anti-violence?
Let me know what you all think we should do here. Here is an email from Leah, sent today.
peace, susan
From Leah Shahum, Executive Director of the SFBC:
Dear Susan,
By now you have probably seen the media frenzy around incidents at last Friday's Critical Mass ride. Hopefully you've also seen the SFBC's response — see www.sfbike.org.
First, we want to make sure that all members understand that the SFBC does not organize nor manage Critical Mass rides. We never have, we never will. This is a leaderless ride that the SFBC has no control over.
We condemn any sort of violence on the ride — whether by bicyclists or motorists. Of course, we condemn violence on our streets anytime, anywhere.
It seems that there are two sides to what happened Friday night, which is now coming to light in the media. It sounds like there's blame to be shared by both sides.
Our goal now is to make sure that people understand that the SFBC is working day in and day out to promote safe, joyful bicycling in our city. Our message is and always has been that we all need to Coexist, to behave civilly and respectfully, and to share the road.
We urge our city leaders not to let one night's ugly actions slow down the work we're all doing to make San Francisco a great bicycling city.
Help us out by spreading the word that the SFBC does not organize Critical Mass and that we condemn any violence on our streets, whether biking or driving. Let folks know about the good work the SFBC is responsible for — more bike lanes, better bike parking, more bike access on transit, more people choosing to bike for a cleaner, healthier San Francisco.
You can let folks know that just yesterday, our volunteers handed out hundreds of safety flyers to bicyclists — Give Respect, Get Respect — at the corner of Market & Van Ness Ave. We're gearing up now for lots more outreach on Bike to Work Day — May 17th!
And we're organizing community members to speak in support of the Healthy Saturdays trial of car-free space in Golden Gate Park on Saturdays just like Sundays. (** We are looking for more supporters this Monday, April 9th at 1pm at City Hall. Please join us! If you want us to call you when the item is up, email Andy before Monday a.m.)
Thank you for helping us educate people that the SFBC is not Critical Mass, but is responsible for a lot of the transportation, safety, and open space improvements they're seeing around town.
Let's ride responsibly and proudly. Thank you for your support,
Leah Shahum SFBC Executive Director
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