In attendance were Elly, Sara, Jeremy, Commander Sinott and Jasun (that is
me). Most of this is from memory and free form so bear with me.

We talked about what went well with Novembers ride. There were no arrest and
no motorcycle units on the ride. In other words it was a 100% bicycle
Critical Mass! The CM riders expressed how not riding in the lane on SW 10th
with the street car tracks was appreciated and how everything went with out
incident.

The commander said that the PPB has given out about 100 bike lights throughout
the city with the bike light program and how he feels that CM is not an
effective place to give out lights since everyone riding has them. He did
mention that in the month of December tickets will be issued to any CM riders
with out a front white light. So if you have an extra light to bring to the
December ride to lone someone that is without out or forgot their light
please bring it along since the officers on the ride will be being very
strict on the lighting situation.

The commander also noted that with the number of CM riders in the winter that
the number of PPB officers assigned to the ride may be too much and will most
likely reduce the number of officers. In order to keep CM 100% bicycles the
PPB will most likely radio for a motorized unit that is in the area of the
ride to issue any tickets or warnings so that the bicycle officer can stay
with the ride. Granted we are still wondering if the PPN really needs to have
a presence during Critical Mass at all. The major concern with the PPB is
that CM riders would violate traffic laws ... specifically cork ... if there
was no PPB presence. The commander also is concerned that with out officers
in the back of the ride a motorist may plow into the back of the mass. We
told the commander that when riding in a group like we do most motorist do
see us and thanked him for his concern.

We also talked about possibly incorporating the ultra-legal ride bicycle
ballet around 4 way stop like we did at 26th and Clinton in future CM rides.

So with the new year upon us and with the changes in 2005 what would YOU like
to see happen with Portland Critical Mass in 2006? Some goals that came up in
the meeting were:

- more riders
- less or no police during the ride
- corking to be a non issue
- amnesty for all past CM bicycle tickets

Please post to his list if there is something that you would like to see
happen with your Critical Mass in 2006. Also the meetings are open to any to
come to and it is always great to get different riders input.

jasun