Not to belabor this story, but we think the issue of the rights of bicycle riders to the road is an important one. We ride on the city streets every day and, though some commenters on our post about changes we'd like to see made to Critical Mass in Seattle think that every driver goes out of his or her way to be respectful to us, we know it's not true. Seattle still has a lot to do for bike riders. Our streets are not very safe, nor welcoming to us.

So does the Cascade Bicycle Club, which says it is the nation's largest bicycle advocacy group. They released a statement (pdf) today about Friday's Critical Mass, which included some thoughts about what's next:

Unfortunately, based on the actions of a few, Seattle Critical Mass is undermining any potential to create positive community exchange and to draw focus to improving conditions for bicycling in our city.

[snip]

In response to this incident, the Cascade Bicycle Club has called for a meeting between bicycle community members, law enforcement, and city officials. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the potential that Critical Mass has to be a more positive expression of bicycle culture and transportation. Though we cannot condone unlawful riding, we are interested in finding the good in this, an organic bicycle community event, while limiting behavior that endangers the progress being made by the city and the region.

We completely support this idea and are hoping it comes together. CM, as we said before, is no longer helping the cause of bike riders' rights. It needs to change.

Thanks to the wonderful and intriguing Seattle Municipal Archives for putting that awesome photo of the Lake Washington Boulevard Bike Trail c. 1900 into our Flickr pool.