July 2007 Critical Mass bike ride in Philadelphia

About an hour and a half of fun condensed into four and a half minutes. Check out some of Philadelphia's great sights—the City Hall, Italian Market (that's the place with the Vietnamese stores...) Spring Garden Bridge mural, Ben Franklin Parkway, Love Park Fountain. Once again the Critical Mass shows itself to be an addictive blast, but a far from perfect advocacy tool. What's with the guy spitting on cars? Why is that a good thing for bicyclists? You can't really hear it on the video but he told me that "they're killing my grandchildren with their cars." True, to a large extent, and enough to make me at least as angry as he is. Still, I'm also worried about my own life—I don't want to get killed by some enraged South Street cruiser he spat on.

The death of Tykeem Law, a 14-year old cyclist gunned down by a motorist Tykeem allegedly offended somehow is fresh in the minds of all of us in Philly. (One rider's shirt shown in this video is a tribute to Tykeem.) Why make things worse when we all have the power to make things better? I want to show all the drivers how much fun we're having. As a class they already hate us, so making them hate us more is just boring and stupid. Let's get creative people.

This tape also shows the aftermath of the first wipeout I've seen for a while at a CM. Nothing serious, thankfully. As usual, there was almost no notice taken of us by Philly's law enforcement officials. The only police I saw were ticketing a motorcyclist on South Street. Another good reason to keep it chilly in Philly!

Having said all that, please come out to a peaceful and fun Critical Mass every last Friday on the West side of City Hall at 6:00PM sharp.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Critical
• Mass
• Philadelphia
• Philly
• bike
• ride
• bicycle
• messenger
• fixed
• gear
• cyclist
• advocacy
• tandem

[sphexes]

Bunch of fuckin' hipsters

[bikemanrel1]

Oh yea, where do you guys meet every time?

[sellingon]

i was in downtown san fran one night 10 years ago when a critical mass of rollerbladers went by. it was crazy sureal. 100's of them all having fun and riding around the downtown area. something ill never forget.

[GovernmentCensor]

ha, I see me on the tandem.

[priuslover123]

Go ride the critical mass where you live.

[sweeps1793]

no, sorry, that was directed towards Jaminben

that wasnt towards you

[HowardFair]

I'm not entirely sure what your question is, Sweeps, or who it's directed to, but here's my answer if you're talking to me: the mention of a Hummer was a joke--I never owned a car and haven't had a driving license for the past 20 years. Pretty much ride everywhere in the city, use public trans elsewhere, and sometimes walk. Big thanks to the people who've helped me on the rare occasions when a motor vehicle is necessary.

[sweeps1793]

hey, i feel for you....and im really sorry, though it might not mean much....

[sweeps1793]

that looks pretty awesome, maybe i'll join you sometime!

[sweeps1793]

just one question....do YOU ride a bike or walk everywhere? if not, i really dont think its fair to expect them to do it.....and at least they're trying to do something...