Below are three short videos editied from clips I shot on
the April - June 2002 rides. Audio from interviews with
Massers have been woven together to explain how CCM is slowly
challenging Chicago's urban form.
Cyclists claim the streets, "creating a new sphere
of public space" during the rides where streets become
human (Ferrell, 2001; Culley, 2002; interviews with O'Rourke,
Kilgore, Burton, Kopald and Kaplan).-- Where riders enjoy
the safety of riding through an urban space, normally devoted
to individuals removed from their surrounding inside an
automobile, with like-minded pro-cycling individuals. The
experience is generally fun, sensual and uplifting. Ride
along with massers as they take over Lake Shore Drive on
the May 2002 ride. high quality
video >>
watch
video >>
Cyclists report they feel more safe on the road after riding
in mass, and many recreational cyclists have become everyday
cyclists after riding in mass. Listen to Massers describe
this feeling as they over the Eisenhower Expressway in June
of 2002. high quality video
>>
watch video >>
.
By converting recreational cyclists to everyday cyclists,
CCM is transforming not only how the city space is used
during the ride, but also in everyday practice. The strong
cycling community created by CCM has also strengthened the
voice of Bicycling in Urban planning and zoning laws. Hear
more and see massers celebrate May Day on the April 2002
ride. high quality video
>>
watch
video >>
Most rides do not take place on highways or other roadways
that are illegal for bikes. Most take place on side streets
and main drags. It just so happened that two of the three
rides I videotaped took over these spaces. Both rides were
pitched and received the most votes. However, both rides
had opposition and a sizable number of Massers left the
rides early because they disapproved with riding on the
Expressway and/or Lake Shore Drive. They argue that such
spaces are dangerous, particularly for families on the ride
or people on funny bikes. Some didn't want to blatantly
break the law. Others felt it was not spreading the message
of "sharing the road" that they envision the mass
promoting.
