Smaller Critical Masses
Doug here from 1304bikes in Raleigh, NC. I was wondering what some of you folks from smaller towns who host critical mass rides do to make them more fun and to attract poeple to come ride in them. We usually only have anywhere from 10-30 poeple in our rides, which i feel is small for a city with a population of 300k. We have a small handful of regulars who always show, but then we get a lot of folks who will come once or twice, but then we'll never see them again. I think maybe a lot people are turned off by the slow pace and lack of excitement at the rides. Maybe we just don't advertise well enough. Either way, hoping for some suggesting as to what other cities without the excitement of a super large mass do to draw people out to their rides. I feel if we can grow the ride large enough, it will become fun in itself, but our mass isn't large enough yet for that appeal. Thanks for all the input!
Doug,
One thing that makes all bike rides more attractive is music. If you can get a small soundsystem or one trailer with a large system, then it completely changes the ride. And, it makes it obvious it's a mass--most cyclists never get to ride around with music, so having a large group with music really changes the feeling of biking. Everyone is sure they're not just doing the same thing they always do, only painfully slowly.
Other than that, printing up fliers to hand out or making signs/banners will all make it clearer it's an event...and people who want it to be an "Event" would probably like that, though I suppose it could turn off other, milder participants.
Good luck!
Sharlyn The Recyclery Evanston, IL
On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 6:30 AM, 1304bikes 1304bikes@gmail.com wrote:
Doug here from 1304bikes in Raleigh, NC. I was wondering what some of you folks from smaller towns who host critical mass rides do to make them more fun and to attract poeple to come ride in them. We usually only have anywhere from 10-30 poeple in our rides, which i feel is small for a city with a population of 300k. We have a small handful of regulars who always show, but then we get a lot of folks who will come once or twice, but then we'll never see them again. I think maybe a lot people are turned off by the slow pace and lack of excitement at the rides. Maybe we just don't advertise well enough. Either way, hoping for some suggesting as to what other cities without the excitement of a super large mass do to draw people out to their rides. I feel if we can grow the ride large enough, it will become fun in itself, but our mass isn't large enough yet for that appeal. Thanks for all the input! -- 1304bikes 2419 Mayview Rd. Raleigh, NC 1304bikes.org
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if hauling a trailer or larger sound system bike is problematic, one solution i've seen is to have someone with a pretty powerful fm transmitter, and then everyone can carry a smaller radio and tune to the same station...then it's more a bunch of smaller radios in unison...not as obnoxious to non-participants as one loud system, and it's more multi-directional as the bikes get split up, wander around folks, etc...
On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Sharlyn Grace sharlyngrace@gmail.comwrote:
Doug,
One thing that makes all bike rides more attractive is music. If you can get a small soundsystem or one trailer with a large system, then it completely changes the ride. And, it makes it obvious it's a mass--most cyclists never get to ride around with music, so having a large group with music really changes the feeling of biking. Everyone is sure they're not just doing the same thing they always do, only painfully slowly.
Other than that, printing up fliers to hand out or making signs/banners will all make it clearer it's an event...and people who want it to be an "Event" would probably like that, though I suppose it could turn off other, milder participants.
Good luck!
Sharlyn The Recyclery Evanston, IL
On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 6:30 AM, 1304bikes 1304bikes@gmail.com wrote:
Doug here from 1304bikes in Raleigh, NC. I was wondering what some of you folks from smaller towns who host critical mass rides do to make them more fun and to attract poeple to come ride in them. We usually only have anywhere from 10-30 poeple in our rides, which i feel is small for a city with a population of 300k. We have a small handful of regulars who always show, but then we get a lot of folks who will come once or twice, but then we'll never see them again. I think maybe a lot people are turned off by the slow pace and lack of excitement at the rides. Maybe we just don't advertise well enough. Either way, hoping for some suggesting as to what other cities without the excitement of a super large mass do to draw people out to their rides. I feel if we can grow the ride large enough, it will become fun in itself, but our mass isn't large enough yet for that appeal. Thanks for all the input! -- 1304bikes 2419 Mayview Rd. Raleigh, NC 1304bikes.org
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In Toronto we have one hit who always comes with his trumpet and plays some snappy tunes. Also, getting participants to cheer, sing and ring their bells makes for a more carnival-esque atmosphere.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
-----Original Message----- From: veganboyjosh@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:14:52 To: The Think Tankthethinktank@bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Smaller Critical Masses
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Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network -----Original Message----- From: veganboyjosh@gmail.com Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:14:52", "metaData": { "visible": "false" } }, "lw_1232734533_6": { "text": "veganboyjosh@gmail.com", "extended": 0, "startchar": 2345, "endchar": 2366, "start": 2345, "end": 2366, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 1, "relScore": 0, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/identifier/email_address"], "category": ["IDENTIFIER"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network -----Original Message----- From: veganboyjosh@gmail.com Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:14:52 To: The Think Tank\u003cthethinktank@bikecollectives.org", "metaData": { "visible": "true" } }, "lw_1232734533_7": { "text": "TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org", "extended": 0, "startchar": 2660, "endchar": 2697, "start": 2660, "end": 2697, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 1, "relScore": 0, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/identifier/email_address"], "category": ["IDENTIFIER"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o... _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list", "metaData": { "visible": "true" } }, "lw_1232734533_8": { "text": "http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...", "extended": 0, "startchar": 2741, "endchar": 2818, "start": 2741, "end": 2818, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 1, "relScore": 0, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/identifier/URL"], "category": ["IDENTIFIER"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o... _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email", "metaData": { "visible": "true" } } }; YAHOO.Shortcuts.headerID = "5593837b1ed22f54da501b1c2a74ec14";
http://www.midnightridazz.com/%C2%A0 this is the web site that grew out of a response to the questions asked here. The primary difference between ridazz and critical mass is
- a planed route
- a destination
- a theme
- not a protest but a social event ridazz rides happen later in the evening.
In Los Angel es we do have a huge population to draw from and the rotating one timers are harder to notice. If many smaller group rides begin happening in a particular area it will be like a omin-critical mass instead of once a month it becomes every week two or three times a weekend and then every body just starts using bicycles as primary transportation devices. roll on Jim
--- On Fri, 1/23/09, winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com wrote:
From: winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Smaller Critical Masses To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@bikecollectives.org Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 8:18 AM
In Toronto we have one hit who always comes with his trumpet and plays some snappy tunes. Also, getting participants to cheer, sing and ring their bells makes for a more carnival-esque atmosphere.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
-----Original Message----- From: veganboyjosh@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:14:52 To: The Think Tankthethinktank@bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Smaller Critical Masses
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When I rode in Ann Arbor, we always had small rides w/ a planned route. We played PSAs on our community radio station. Skateboards and other wheels were welcomed. During the rides, there was occasionally a jambox, but most often we sang songs. don't know the author, but here's my favorite CM song:
hey move it, hey shove it. my bike is rad, I love it. your car stinks, i don't think, that we should breath more of it. that toxic shit hangs in the air, ain't never going anywhere. why you want to spend your money, just to give me cancer honey?
On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 10:16 AM, james blesdoe jamesbleds0e@yahoo.comwrote:
http://www.midnightridazz.com/ this is the web site that grew out of a response to the questions asked here. The primary difference between ridazz and critical mass is
- a planed route
- a destination
- a theme
- not a protest but a social event ridazz rides happen later in the
evening. In Los Angel es we do have a huge population to draw from and the rotating one timers are harder to notice. If many smaller group rides begin happening in a particular area it will be like a omin-critical mass instead of once a month it becomes every week two or three times a weekend and then every body just starts using bicycles as primary transportation devices.
roll on
Jim
--- On *Fri, 1/23/09, winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com < winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com>* wrote:
From: winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Smaller Critical Masses To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@bikecollectives.org Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 8:18 AM
In Toronto we have one hit who always comes with his trumpet and plays some snappy tunes. Also, getting participants to cheer, sing and ring their bells makes for a more carnival-esque atmosphere.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
-----Original Message----- From: veganboyjosh@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:14:52 To: The Think Tankthethinktank@bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Smaller Critical Masses
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Hello,
Here in lyon france we dont have alot of people despite the huge population. There is about 20 to 200 depending on the weather' When were not a lot of people we use cargo trikes with huge trailers that have huge signs that say things like .your car stinks. last time it was raining and cold, there were 16 of us but 6 people had some type of not normal bike with a trailer or something. Tall bikes attract a lot of attention.. A cargo trike with a sound system is nice, flags and chants and things like that make it fun' Sometimes well have a theme like one time the mass ended in a parking lot and we tranformed it into a free zone info shop thing, pictures below
http://velorutionlyon.free.fr/article.php3?id_article=174 http://velorutionlyon.free.fr/article.php3?id_article=222 http://velorutionlyon.free.fr/article.php3?id_article=194
vélorutinairement,
fox
--- On Fri, 1/23/09, 1304bikes 1304bikes@gmail.com wrote:
From: 1304bikes 1304bikes@gmail.com Subject: [TheThinkTank] Smaller Critical Masses To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@bikecollectives.org Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 4:30 AM Doug here from 1304bikes in Raleigh, NC. I was wondering what some of you folks from smaller towns who host critical mass rides do to make them more fun and to attract poeple to come ride in them. We usually only have anywhere from 10-30 poeple in our rides, which i feel is small for a city with a population of 300k. We have a small handful of regulars who always show, but then we get a lot of folks who will come once or twice, but then we'll never see them again. I think maybe a lot people are turned off by the slow pace and lack of excitement at the rides. Maybe we just don't advertise well enough. Either way, hoping for some suggesting as to what other cities without the excitement of a super large mass do to draw people out to their rides. I feel if we can grow the ride large enough, it will become fun in itself, but our mass isn't large enough yet for that appeal. Thanks for all the input! -- 1304bikes 2419 Mayview Rd. Raleigh, NC 1304bikes.org _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Pensacola Critical Mass started in September '08 after a ten year hiatus. We are doing very well for the size of our fair city. We have a couple tallbikes and a few people always dress up in costume. We ride from one small cafe to another restaurant/bar. Fortunately the owners of the bar we end up at, Sluggo's, give every rider of age two free draft beers. The free beer is definately an attractant, and also having a semi-definate ending point and subsequent party for everyone is a great plus, even for the non-drinkers. It seems most mass rides end up petering out as riders drop off. Having a destination helps to keep everyone focused, I believe the 'goal' really helps. Maybe change it up everytime, try a different bar/restaurant, bbq/potluck at someone's house or in a city park?
goodluck and pedal hard, elrite Pensacola, FL, home of the BeachCat AlleyCat and SouthEastSide Polo Invitational. February 14 and 15, 2009. http://www.myspace.com/pensacolaalleycatz
-When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.
~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills
--- On Fri, 1/23/09, 1304bikes 1304bikes@gmail.com wrote:
From: 1304bikes 1304bikes@gmail.com Subject: [TheThinkTank] Smaller Critical Masses To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@bikecollectives.org Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 4:30 AM Doug here from 1304bikes in Raleigh, NC. I was wondering what some of you folks from smaller towns who host critical mass rides do to make them more fun and to attract poeple to come ride in them. We usually only have anywhere from 10-30 poeple in our rides, which i feel is small for a city with a population of 300k. We have a small handful of regulars who always show, but then we get a lot of folks who will come once or twice, but then we'll never see them again. I think maybe a lot people are turned off by the slow pace and lack of excitement at the rides. Maybe we just don't advertise well enough. Either way, hoping for some suggesting as to what other cities without the excitement of a super large mass do to draw people out to their rides. I feel if we can grow the ride large enough, it will become fun in itself, but our mass isn't large enough yet for that appeal. Thanks for all the input! -- 1304bikes 2419 Mayview Rd. Raleigh, NC 1304bikes.org _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
participants (8)
-
1304bikes -
bloodshotvw -
Cascadian Fox -
Chris Janik -
james blesdoe -
Sharlyn Grace -
veganboyjosh＠gmail.com -
winter.snowy.rose＠gmail.com