Comments on: Thursday Night Urban Ride: A mini weekly critical mass?

By: Paul H

Paul H — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:57:37 +0000

I was with out-of-town friends last night and saw this group moving through downtown, (building in size after the first pass). They were polite; laughing; and most of them were obeying traffic laws.

Elliot is correct, if we began to credit all Austin car drivers with the behavior of the too many MoPac drivers during rush hour, there would be a call for banning the use of cars in downtown Austin, (hey – there’s a thought).

Seriously, these folks last night were a great representation of how cyclists can and should behave and served as ambassadors for our visiting friend from Phoenix, (who was admittedly jealous that we had such an inviting downtown).
This is the kinder-gentler critical mass the city needs; not the one who thinks it is cool to hit the decks of IH35 during the evening rush hour.

Keep up the great rides.

By: when and ware, again?

when and ware, again? — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:46:18 +0000

is it at the pedestrian bridge at 7:30pm or is it at Plaza Satillo at 7:00pm? totally confused. sounds like fun…

By: elliott

elliott — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:43:11 +0000

Not Impressed,
The Thursday Night Social Ride has been happening for a year and a half averaging 200-300 people on a ride every week. You cannot have that many people participating that often without some member of the group behaving badly I’ve witnessed worse behavior in a roadie group a 1/10th of the size. Are we to blame the bike shop I rode with giving all cyclists a bad name because one person in the group was a jackass? When a driver cuts you off or tailgates, do you assume that all drivers do that?

The fact that TNSR has been doing this so successfully so long a weekly basis without issues with police says a lot about how the ride is run. The ride leaders work very hard to avoid blocking traffic and make sure people obey stop signs and lights.

They are getting lots of people on bikes that are into racing or fitness. You simply cannot avoid all bad behavior, but getting lots more people on bikes goes a long way to undercutting the prejudice that all cyclists are the same or to be judged by a single bad apple.

By: Not Impressed

Not Impressed — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:30:29 +0000

You should change the name of this ride to “Thursday Night Give All Cyclists a Bad Name Ride”. I was driving 10mph out of respect for all the cyclists giving everyone ample room on the road and a rider made it a point to cut me off and cause me to almost hit him. He was riding the wrong way up the other lane of traffic. He did this with beer in hand, cussed me out as he passed my bumper, and tried to create a situation in front of everyone. This is no way to promote cycling safety or acceptance by the public. Grow up people. Tell your “social riders” that when they ride their bikes and act like idiots they’re putting other cyclists in harms way. If you want some respect, give it. Don’t break the law on your bicycles and then expect to be taken seriously. I have worked in the bicycle industry for over eight years, and I have never been more disappointed in a group of fellow cyclists. It’s because of this “social ride” that I now feel at danger in my own neighborhood riding my bike. Thanks a lot.

By: elliott

elliott — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:59:39 +0000

Yes, well it was pretty scary to watch. I wish people realized that you are way more faster on the bike with good brakes.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:59:29 +0000

SHOE BRAKING? What on earth… why just why? So dangerous, I cannot even wrap my head around it.