[matilda] Critical mess

[Chris Malins]

Ideologically speaking, there is something quite fascinating about the 
decision to use heavy policing against critical mass. Essentially, 
critical mass represents an assertion of the right to cycle, set against 
the right to drive as quickly as possible, but in another sense it is a 
large group of people cycling in the same place because they like 
cycling. It does not have the character of a demonstration because it is 
not truly associable with a political aim, critical masses are not used 
as a vehicle to deliver a message, they are simply the most obvious type 
of prima facie evidence that people want to be able to cycle.

As such, by criminalising them by redefinition (another fascinating 
police/legislator tactic, more prominent in recent years), the police 
send out the clear message that travel is not acceptable for a 
non-commodified reason. It is ok for a horde of SUV drivers to descend 
on a school at the same time, causing traffic chaos, because they are 
delivering children to be trained as consumers (and also the act of 
driving a car is an act of consumption far more than that of riding a 
bike). Commuters are empowered to cause traffic chaos at rush hour, 
because they are travelling to and from work, which is a consumption 
driven/driving activity. The streets and the roads are defined as 
transit zones for people to move from one consumption opportunity to the 
next - the idea of the street as an open, public space is anathemic to 
Babylon (sic), because it holds out the risk that people may recognise 
the possibility of deriving satisfaction from non-consumptive human 
interaction. You must go into a building to meet people, which will 
normally be a cafe, or pub, or wherever else which has a consumption 
emphasis, in which only consumers are welcome.

You are encouraged and welcome to ride your bicycle in rural areas, 
along specified trails, because these are tourism driving activities, 
and with luck you will have to drive with your bike strapped to the car 
to get there. Riding to work is permitted, providing it doesn't 
inconvenience car drivers too much (it is clear to everyone that those 
road users causing most damage to the roads, the atmosphere and the 
people around them need effective priority over cyclists). But to cycle 
in your town or city, interacting with other people, as an expression of 
the enjoyment you take in cycling, this must be prevented.

Chris

Simon Geller wrote:
> It seems the UK police have picked up the ideas of the NYPD on how to
> crackdown on Critical Mass, as shown in the film "Still We Ride" ,
> recently shown at the Matilda.  - see -
> 
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1600570,00.html#article_continue
> 
> Sheffield's version of critical mass, also known as the Urban Cycle,  will
> be passing the Matilda this friday, the 28th between 5 and 6, and ringing
> the bell to see if anyone wants to come out for a ride - don't expect
> hundreds of cyclists though 'cos Sheffield just ain't like that. Last time
> we rang the bell and no-one answered - I wonder what will happen this
> time?
> 
> Full pick-up schedule is:  Starts at Sheffield University 17:00, then
> picks up at Collegiate Crescent, Winter Gardens, Hallam Square and
> Matilda. After that it's up for grabs but riders can be safely dropped off
> at their starting point if required. You need a serviceable bike and
> lights. Optional pub visit afterwards. For those who are going on
> socialising we can show you where to leave your bike safely overnight.
> 
> Simon
> 
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