World Carfree Day Prague Critical Mass

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Friday
September 22, 2006
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	Three years ago I rode Prague Critical Mass (which is not called CM but simply Cyklojizda--bikeride) and lamented that by taking over the major highway the leaders had overreached and that all future rides would be marred by police intervention. I was right and wrong. The police have become involved, but only as benign escorts. My prediction was off because it came from my American experience where nonviolent civil disobedience is usually met with brutal force and violent repression, whereas here the result was dialogue and compromise. The police escort on today's sweet 1,200+ ride was sort of welcome as their presence checked the hostility of angry drivers.
After the ride I was invited to say a few words at the release party for the Czech translation of Andy Singer's CARtoons. Here's some of what I said: A picture is worth a thousand words. And if that picture is funny, it's worth 2,000, maybe 2,300 words. A good cartoon is like a riddle. You decode its meaning and laugh when you "get" the joke. In that laughter is recognition. And recognition is the first step to change....