I agree with a number of Shame's points. I've been to about four critical mass rides. (I missed the one where four individuals were arrested when an anti-war theme was part of the ride). The rides strike me as individualistic and unclear as to focus. That several public transportation activists were arrested while CM participants were enjoying their ride makes me wonder why CM was not at that protest. My excuse was that I had just returned from a week in Toronto and was not aware of the protest for public transit. But Toronto brings home a perspective.

In Toronto, bicycles are an accepted mode of transport. I was struck when I observed that for every two cars that passed during rush hour at a corner, as I waited for a friend, one bike passed. In this cosmopolitan Canadian city, there is no "beltway". And there remains a trolley system as well as a subway system. The auto traffic moves slowly showing respect for both pedestrians and cyclists. And the cyclists do not get aggressive with the car drivers. The only thing missing in Toronto is 10 or 20 blocks closed off to any car traffic, as exists in a southern Brazilian city, the name of which I forget.

A proposal. Critical Mass in Baltimore should join with the transit activists in demanding the following (and maybe more):

1. Low transit bus rates
2. More frequent buses
3. Expansion of subway and light rail
4. Bring the trolleys back
5. Reduce the speed limits for autos
6. Define 10 to 20 square blocks of the downtown area as off limits to cars (except maybe taxis)
7. More green space
8. Other ....

Critical Mass in Baltimore should have a "spokes" meeting to discuss proposals such as this. Otherwise, in my humble judgment, it will remain an individualistic and ineffective "protest activity."