CAPTURED ON VIDEO: Austin bicyclists takeover I-35′s upper deck!!
My non-cycling friends always ask me what it’s like to ride with cars. And I always say that it’s like running with the buffalo: You’re sandwiched between these big, unpredictable beasts that could just bump into you and run you over without even batting an eye. It’s a sobering thought, but when you lose the fear of being trampled, you almost feel like a god.
Almost.
See, bicyclists never have complete control of the streets. When we do, it’s usually either late at night, on the 4th of July when they close the major streets downtown, or when we’re in big groups like the Thursday Night Social Ride or Critical Mass. What I love about these social rides is that 1) they raise awareness of bikers with drivers 2) they’re a healthy way to have fun and 3) you feel like you’re in a giant herd. Yup, when we roll 300-600 deep, we become one mass, a herd of our own (maybe gazelle?) large enough to challenge the buffalo.
Last Friday, one of these herds of gazelle, Critical Mass, decided to take on the herd of buffalo in a place where the buffalo usually have the upper hand: the Upper Deck of I-35. Photographer Doug captured the magic on video.
Check it out:
Looks like the cyclists got on the freeway at Airport Blvd and took the Upper Deck all the way to the MLK exit. Super duper fly. Especially love the skid at the end! Kinda feel sorry for that little car2go that got caught in the herd on the onramp; those things are already scary enough to maneuver in without the fear of mowing down a pack of cyclists.
Man, watching that video gives me such a rush. I can only imagine the feeling of the wind and the cars rushing by. Riding with the buffalo. Flying above those buildings as the sun sets. Those guys must have felt like gods.
Some of the comments on the video are pretty negative. For the record: As a 99% bicycle-only commuter for the last 10 years, I look forward to the day when our streets are safe for cyclists. Car culture and our obsession with oil is a disease as serious as drug addiction. Nothing would make me happier than seeing that upper deck be converted into a cyclists’ only bikeway.
Ok, now that I’ve pissed off or scared a large portion of our readers, I want to share this video from the Harvest Moon Ride this past weekend. If you haven’t been on a Full Moon Ride or any other ride with Social Cycling Austin, they’re tame, safe and fun for the whole family.
Take a look at this video from photographer Brian Birzer:
If you’re interested in learning more about cycling in Austin, join the Social Cycling Austin group on Facebook; check out Austin on Two Wheels; or if you’re feeling really frisky, head over to the most kick-a bicycle blog in Austin: ATXBS.
(Hat tip for the videos goes to ATXBS, keeping bicycling in Austin legit for the last 3 years. Happy Blog Birthday and much <3, Jason!)
What’s your favorite way to share the road?
Are these bicycle extremists really terrorists?
Will cars destroy our planet?
Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?
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I’m sure taggers and looters get a rush too, but it’s still illegal. Critical Mass sets back real cycling advocacy by just making car drivers think every cyclist is going to do things that are completely irrational and illegal, so why bother sharing the road with them.
Hey Tim:
Thanks for stopping by.
It’s two different types of advocacy, I suppose (via Black Panthers).
And in regards to why bother sharing a road: You’re in a one ton car with plenty of armour. Cyclists are on a bike with NO protection. Not only is it irrational and illegal to NOT share the road, if you hurt a cyclist, you’re also inhumane and don’t understand the sanctity of human life.
Yeah! DUH!
This post is awesome, Chris! I felt like I was on that magical ride! Weeeeeeee!!!
Thanks, Dacia!
Why is it that people assume if you’re against critical mass you’re against cyclists being on the road. Most cyclists are pretty sane. I’m worried about hitting the cyclists I occasionally see who are doing something like riding the wrong way down a street and then executing a left hand turn against the light. Or going 55 mph on IH-35 and hitting a cyclist on the upper deck, because I can’t see them in the dark and I’m not looking for them, because you know, it’s the upper deck of an Interstate and illegal for cyclists to ride there.
I am a runner. I love running. I would like for people to treat me with respect at cross-walks and driveways (including cyclists). But I will not demand that I be allowed to run on IH-35 at night.
Critical Mass riders want to both be treated with respect, and ride around like complete and utter jackasses breaking the law, willy nilly. Let’s not bring humane or sanctity of life nonsense into this. I’ve been in two car accidents with cars who broke the law, and I couldn’t avoid them. I don’t want to be in a bike/car accident because some cyclist doesn’t like red lights and I can’t stop in time. I think that’s actually about as humane as you can get.
Hey Tim
I agree with you on the point that Critical Mass can be a little crazy and unruly–and strong members of the cycling community have tried to steer folks away from that. (See this post from ATXBS: http://www.atxbs.com/?q=node/2764).
There are a lot of crazy auto drivers out there. And if I judged the driving community by the cars who clip me, run red lights or go way too fast above the speed limit, then I’d hate all drivers. Thank goodness most of us have the common sense to know that the actions of a few don’t represent the sum of the whole.
Most cyclists respect the law.
I still think the video is amazing. It let’s my spirit soar. And if cyclists can ride faster than the minimum speed limit for the freeway, then I applaud them for their courage.
I hate to say this but I agree with Tim. Don’t get me wrong because I am actually a cyclist myself but I do not purposefully abuse the rights that I have as a cyclist by feeling as if I should be entitled to go or ride wherever I please without the discretion of taking in the dangers of being where I’m not supposed to be. ( ex: a highway that was built specifically for cars who, yes, can easily kill a cyclist if they are not careful. )
We’ve had deaths in the cycling community before and I don’t think that ultimately going the route of having someone die for such a cause is worth the risk in the end. If we’re trying to advocate better rights for cyclists as well as promote a “greener” standard of our lifestyle, it’s done through political campaigning as well as generally informing the public of the advantage that cycling really can make regarding it’s impact on the city and environment.
Reality is a hard thing to take into account when pursuing our agenda to make a change in any aspect, but the reality of this situation is that cars are not going anywhere, and not all people can, or would choose to see the benefit of wanting to ride a bike ( nor may some even be able to afford the leisure of doing so ). But although rather unfortunate of an idea to even acknowledge, it is a reality that we must face in the end.
” And in regards to why bother sharing a road: You’re in a one ton car with plenty of armour. Cyclists are on a bike with NO protection. Not only is it irrational and illegal to NOT share the road, if you hurt a cyclist, you’re also inhumane and don’t understand the sanctity of human life. ”
You’ve said it yourself, cyclists are on a bike with NO protection. So why risk endangering themselves on a highway in specific when there do exist irresponsible drivers who can EASILY kill a cyclist if they aren’t careful. That’s a lack of responsibility if you ask me and please do realize that when you talk about sharing the “road”. We’re not talking about just any road, we’re talking about a highway in specific with this case.
Hi Kari:
Thanks for stopping by.
You bring up some good points. As I mentioned in my post, I’ve been a cycling-exclusive commuter for 10 years (I only take a cab/bus when there’s something wrong with my bike). As I get older, I’ve grown less aggressive and more concerned with my safety. It’s my opinion, however, that folks should be allowed to make decisions regarding their own safety. And I don’t believe it’s up to the state to babysit its citizens. With that in mind, if a cyclist (or in this case a large group of cyclists–safety in numbers) can go fast enough to maintain the minimum speed limit, then they should go.
There are a lot of things that cyclists do that I get upset with. I know several cyclists who don’t wear helmets–even friends who KNOW someone who’s died for riding without a helmet. But ultimately that’s their decision. They aren’t endangering anyone except themselves.
Drivers, on the other hand, do things every day that endager pedestrians and cyclists. I’d say a good majority of the folks driving cars don’t give their full attention to driving. For example, talking on the phone and driving is SUCH a dangerous thing–but people always tend to focus on what CYCLISTS are doing to endanger themselves. No one wants to talk about the things that cars do to endanger the general public at large. And, again, cyclists are pretty much defenseless.
Regarding the idea that cars will always be a part of our future: I’m the type of person that believes that if we only think in the negative light, we’ll never be able to realize an alternative future. Put simply: I choose to ask how we can change things in the now to get to the future I want to see happen.
I think reliable, efficient public transit should be available and affordable to everyone. I think that more thought should be given to planning our city to be a pedestrian- and bike-friendly place. And I strongly believe we should find ways to decrease the number of cars on the road.
For me, it’s a question of physical and environmental health for me, my children and my children’s children. Saying something is the status quo is not a solution, it’s an excuse.
I should mention that this is not the first time Critical Mass has done the upper deck …
http://www.vimeo.com/1835832
Also, I should also mention that there was nothing illegal about either of these cases — there are no laws prohibiting bicycles on the upper deck of IH-35. And more to the point, it wasn’t even particularly dangerous — the frontage road would have been considerably more dangerous.
Love both videos. Thanks for shooting them. Agree 100% (see my replies to other comments).
> If you haven’t been on a Full Moon Ride or any other ride with Social Cycling Austin,
> they’re tame, safe and fun for the whole family.
To be fair, Full Moon Ride has nothing to do with Social Cycling Austin (well, besides the fact they all ride bikes and many of the same people do both rides, but it’s run by different people and a different attitude), and it’s certainly not tame.
Really, the full moon rides are a lot like Critical Mass — though since they happens after midnight, there’s a lot less traffic to contend with.
Hey Doug:
Thanks for the clarification. I do both rides, but never quite know the structure involved. I guess it’s the lack of traffic that make me think the Full Moon Rides are a little more tame!