October 30/08 8:40 am - Hallowe'en Critical Mass Ride and Roll

Posted by Editor on 10/30/08
 

Hallowe'en Critical Mass Ride and Roll - Vancouver, BC
Courtesy Velolove

Friday, October 31

Boah ha ha ha haaaa!!!!

Join fellow bicyclists, skaters, and bladers for this leisurely and spirited celebratory ride and roll through the streets of Vancouver in Hallowe'en costumes!. Meet at the Vancouver Art Gallery on the Georgia Street side between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. -- and roll and ride at 6:00 p.m. The ride is on rain or shine. Decorated bicycles, trailers, signs, flags, noisemakers, gettoblasters, sound systems, drums, and wildly modified bicycles are all highly encouraged!

And at this Critical Mass, expect to see both Federal and City politicians vying for your vote! Critical Mass now has a tremendous amount of influence -- especially in the city elections on November 15th. So make sure politicians know that bicycles are a transportation priority for a wide range of good reasons, expanding highways and bridges only invite more motorized traffic and congestion (Gateway Sucks!), and support politicians that have it right!

After Critical Mass is Veloween at the ANZA Club, 3 West 8th at the Ontario Bike Route.

Pre-rides to Critical Mass:

UBC riders meet at the UBC Bike Hub, on the north east end of the Student Union Building, at 4:30 p.m. for a group ride to the Vancouver Art Gallery. Phone 604-822-BIKE for details.

East Van riders meet 4:00 p.m., leaving 4:30 p.m., from Grandview Park, 1200-block Commercial Drive, for a group ride to the Vancouver Art Gallery.

What's Critical Mass and how do I participate?

Celebrated around the world, Critical Mass is a grassroots reclamation of public space -- on the last Friday of the month -- which allows cyclists and other self-propelled people to move safely and comfortably through city streets in a car-free space. Non-polluting forms of transportation are promoted.

The ride stays together for safety and fun. If you are at the front of the ride, stop if you are approaching a red light. But continue as a group if the lights change red while passing though an intersection.

You will see participants peel off at the front to block motorized traffic from entering the mass. That's called "corking". Corkers keep the ride safe and allow the mass to pass though intersections where the lights have turned red. Thank them for corking!

If you're at the front, please don't speed ahead or take narrow roadways or paths. It stretches the ride out and makes life harder for corkers, riders, and those waiting for the mass to pass. Be aware of the ride's slower participants, and keep a slower pace. If the mass has thinned out or has broken into more than one group, which happens following hills or where the street has widened, the front should wait at green lights for the group to "mass up".

Don't stay on any given street for very long, so that public transit can pass. And always let emergency vehicles through.

The ride is a celebration (not a party or a protest). Take absolute responsibility for your actions and show motorists a better way to travel. A way which is more equitable, efficient, fun and socially responsible than the car. There's no need to be unfriendly or argue with motorists -- our sheer numbers tell the story. Look after each other, speak up, and ride with confidence.

Who decides where we go?

You do! Some rides have a destination that may be suggested at the start of the ride, but the route is always decided by the riders in the front. If you have an idea where the ride should go, move to the front and participate with others in a group decision. Remember to make it fun and interesting, and that Critical Mass has no leaders.

For more information:
www.velolove.bc.ca
vancouver@velolove.bc.ca

Veloween Dance Party
Friday, October 31

After the Critical Mass Halloween bike ride come join us for Veloween at the Anza club. We have an extra special Halloween lineup prepared for you with burlesque, dance, and Halloween vignettes.

Inject.
The Creaking Planks.
The Vancouver Thriller Dancers.
Miss Titty Kitty.

Where: The Anza club, #3 West 8th Avenue at the Ontario bike route
Doors open when ever Critical Mass gets there.

Cost: $5 if you arrive with Critical Mass in Costume.
$10 Otherwise.

Velofusion is a once a month community fund raiser project, all money raised goes back into supporting local grass roots community groups.

For more information, contact Conrad Schmidt, conrad@ragtagproductions.net, 604-537-2044


Our Community Bikes' All Saints Day Party
Saturday, November 1

It's that time of the year again. Our Community Bikes' is having their annual in-shop party on November 1st for All Saints Day. The night will be filled with strange and beautiful costumes, DJs dropping mad beats, visuals by Johann and Curtis, kegs of beer (from Storm), kegs of ginger beer (from Peter), dancing, and many other shenanigans. There will also be some fancy bikes that we will be auctioning off on display.

3283 Main Street, Vancouver (just north of 17th Ave)
Doors open at 9pm and close pretty late
Cover is $5-10 (no one turned away) and beer will be $3-4
Please bring your own cups if possible

www.pedalpower.org/?q=our_community_bikes

For more information call 604-879-2453.


Pedal Revolutionary Radio Show
Thursday, November 6

5:00 to 6:00 pm, and every other Thursday on CiTR 101.9 fm.

The revolution will not be motorized! Double-plus-good radio waves of bike culture, politics, music, events, bike traffic reports, and voices direct from the front lines.

!!! Now archived for your listening pleasure !!!

Archive: www.citr.ca/podcast.php
Listen Live over the Internet: www.citr.ca/livestream.php
Blog: pedalrev.blogspot.com

The Revolution needs your input! If you have a bike related event or announcement, contact Ifny at pedalrevolutionary@gmail.com or 604-690-7372. During the show phone 604-UBC-CiTR (604-822-2487).


Midnight Mass Bike Ride
Thursday, November 13

Do you have a bike and like riding at night? Dig up some bike lights and join the ride the night before Critical Mass!

Meet 11:45 pm at Grandview Park (Commercial Drive at Charles Street -- across from the Havana and Turks) and ride at midnight.

The ride happens the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month, so mark your calendars. Tell your bike loving friends, and hope to see you there!

For more information and videos:
www.midnight-mass.blogspot.com
More photos at www.flickr.com/photos/midnightmass