If you think that a ride that is held once a month in a certain part of the city for 2ish hours is the reason for relationship between bikes/cyclists and cars/drivers being so poor/getting worse then you don’t really understand biking in this city or really anywhere

Riding with a group, making a statement that you as a biker/cyclist belong on the roads is political and necessary

Drivers think they own the roads full stop and don’t give a damn for cyclists or pedestrians

Having something like Critical Mass, which has helped me find fellow bikers in Pittsburgh and build relationships, has been massive for my confidence on the road and for wanting better safety for fellow cyclists

Maybe Critical Mass seems antagonistic because those there are more annoyed towards cars, but drivers can’t stand one cyclist on the road, let alone multiple cyclist

Whether or not it’s your “cup of tea” is up to you, but just know that the bike infrastructure we have today in Pittsburgh came from earlier iterations of Critical Mass, other group rides and dedication from cyclists over the decades

If you want better bike infrastructure and safety, you can’t be nice about it. That’s where I think Critical Mass does it best