News Flash: Good press about Critical Mass - REALLY?!?

Ever since last Friday I've been keeping an eye peeled for any news relating to the most recent Critical Mass ride. I've been somewhat concerned that some irate driver or official would see what happened in a negative light and report accordingly. Thankfully that hasn't been the case, as Daniel Mottola of the Austin Chronicle was the first to mention the ride and after-party in his article in the Chronicle's "Chronic" Blog. Check it out in it's entirety here:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Blogs?oid=oid%3A681334

I promise I didn't pay him! Seriously! Besides saying entirely too many good (and mostly fictitious) things about me, he discusses how the local rides have been increasing in ridership, and despite their growth how peaceful and non-confrontational they've been as of late. Of course he also mentions the upper deck ride in the article. His recap of both the upper-deck ride and the ATXBS birthday party afterwards mention how chill and cohesive the group was, as well as how awesome the general public (in this case the highway drivers and the police officers) was in dealing with our rag-tag band of cyclists.

His commentary on the growth of the local bike community has echoed what many other cyclists (including myself) have been observing here in Austin recently, that being an upsurge in cycling-related activity of all types. Commuters, group rides, bicycle-related events, races, web logs, all across the board Austin has seen a phenomenal increase in the past few years.

Seeing pro-bicycle articles in the local papers in greater quantity these days has only been reinforcing this point in my mind. It's been great to not only take part in things like the Yellow Bike move, but to afterwards see some really good press relating to the events, such as this PBS documentary. Their part is often unsung, but I really appreciate the writers, documentarians, and other members of the press who take the time to see the world from our side of the windshield, survive the experience, and go on to write about it. You guys rule.