“It was a scene of war, with twisted bicycles and people bleeding on the ground.” ~Marcelo Guidoux Kalil
The Brazilian city of Porto Alegre has become known as perhaps the most progressive community in Latin America, hailed by social critics like Naomi Klein for its people-friendly urban planning, democratic initiatives and resistance to corporate globalization. Last week, in just a few moments, it became a bloody emblem of the battle between cyclists and motorists, when a crazed driver plowed through a gathering of bicycle advocates.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFJnja8gQ70[/youtube]Warning: Disturbing content. Viewer discretion advised
Who can say exactly what was going through suspect Ricardo José Neis’s head last Friday, but any cyclist watching those few terrifying seconds of video gets the message loud and clear, as an echo of words screamed too often at them from car windows: “Get the fuck off the road!”
Neis fled, leaving as many as 40 cyclists injured, some severely. He was at last located by police in a private psychiatric clinic that he had checked into on Tuesday. He says he was attacked by cyclists, a claim unsupported by witnesses. It is expected he will be moved to prison soon, possibly charged with attempted homicide.
The story, and video, of the event have gone as viral as the feverish argument over road-use—who “owns” them?—raging in many cities. If you monitor traffic issues, it’s impossible to ignore the daily carnage suffered by pedestrians and cyclists around the world, not to mention the motorist-on-motorist toll.
My initial impulse was to pass over this shocking account of escalating road-rage. I have other more mundane posts scheduled. But then, I began thinking about the deeper meaning of this incident, how it gets to the heart of our modern dis-ease.
Both car and bicycle are experiments in cybernetics—the amplification of human power through technology. Both were regarded with suspicion in their early days. Both can be put to good use or bad. But, obviously, the motorized vehicle is the machine that in the wrong hands is wholly capable of mayhem. It kills and maims daily on a global scale. It is the shrill trumpet of victory, deeply associated with “freedom.”
Disseminators of the loopy “war against the car” meme, such as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and hockey buffoon Don Cherry, now have a kind of Two Seconds Hate over which they can pound their hairy fists and ululate.
Even so, despite attending last year’s Victoria World Naked Bike Ride, I’m not particularly convinced “Critical Mass” events are helpful. I’m not so sure that “taking back the streets” from people operating potentially lethal power-magnification devices is a good idea, unless organizers can even the score with a pedal-powered D-9 bulldozer.
As mentioned in my report, there was a distinct lack of enmity surrounding the Naked Ride. The nudity and carnival approach was perhaps disarming. In contrast, you’ll find plenty of posturing on both sides of Critical Mass rides, along with violent incidents.
So, do we throw up our hands, park our bikes, stay out of the fray and leave the road to the power-mongers?
We’re going to need plenty of unadorned cooperation to solve the issue of sustainable transportation. Solutions will come from convincing planners that money is better spent on public transit, rather than propping up car culture.
Motorists brought up as the Chosen will not willingly abandon a faith preached on every street corner, whose Mass is broadcast in every home, and whose places of worship are woven into (unravelling, critics say) the fabric of every borough and town.
If there is a “war” going on, it’s not just between cyclists and motorists; it’s between our humanity and the urge toward triumph, the belief that our technologies will lead us to the Promised Land, or at least bestow the power to run over those standing in the way of our pre-ordained destiny.
Cartopia will splutter to a halt slowly, as its sustaining manna becomes harder and harder to supply at a premium the flock can afford.
This will not solve the age-old problem of intolerance, rage and projection of power through clever devices. It might just slow things down enough for us to think more creatively about such things.
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When I first saw the video, all I saw was the view from above which was hard to make out. But the view from ground level was beyond disturbing. Some comments made defending it was equally disturbing.
I’ve always had mixed opinions on critical mass. On one hand I strongly agree with the “message” behind it. I don’t agree with how it’s run. Red lights and stop signs should be obeyed. Once traffic signals are obeyed, I’d happily partake in CM.
As for the WNBR? I actually support it, of course I’m not sure it hammers home any sort of message to motorists. The carnival feel I think helps ease some tensions and motorists and pedestrians alike get a kick out of it. Of course at the end of the day does it get more people on bikes and out of cars? No.
When it comes to the “war on cars”. I honestly can’t find it anywhere. Adding bike lanes to roads doesn’t equate to a war. Having fees to drive a car doesn’t mean there’s a war.
If anything, the North American way of planning cities has caused an almost century long war on EVERYTHING but cars.
I’m in full agreement with you on the widespread CM practice of ignoring traffic signals. That and the general confrontational tone is the reason I don’t take part.
Thanks for adding your perspective. Your last paragraph says it all.
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