Critical Mass - when two wheels are greater than four
by on 02. 7.05
It’s one of those embarassingly simple ideas, which resonates strongly with so many people. Get a bunch of your friends together once a month and ride your bicycles around the Central Business District. A celebration of human propelled transport. Of people and pedal power. Get enough of your mates together so that you feel safe enough to not be intimidated by the snarling automobile traffic, Build up Critical Mass, as it were. All round the planet loose groups of cyclists gather on a specified date and a magical mystery tour begins. The above pic shows 1,200 cyclists, taking over lanes on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Normally the lanes would be clogged with Friday night peak-hour traffic, bumper-to-bumper with steel can juggernauts, housing just one occupant. Some CM events have had 5,000 riders show up!
The event reminds drivers that cyclists are out there and have legitimate rights to use roads too. And that they do it with such an efficient vehicle, that its makes the best hybrid, look like a Hummer on a binge. Yet, as they say “Critical Mass is an idea and an event, not an organization.” Two sites have information on the 'ideas' all around the world. Try this one or alternatively this other one. [by WM]
While I appreciate the point Critical Mass tries to make, I do question their tactics - which involve unannounced ride events that cause serious disruptions in normal city traffic patterns. It seems a bit odd to me, to block a bridge, causing further chaos and delays in rush hour traffic, increasing the amount of fossil fuels burned, and generally inspiring hatred in the hearts of all people trying to get home after a long day. I admit that I'm biased - a Critical Mass event in my hometown several years ago blocked the only bridge leading directly from the north side of town into downtown - where the hospital is located. This was a problem, as a 10 year-old boy on the north side had an asthma attack, and needed to get to the hospital. The ambulance he was in had to be diverted because Critical Mass refused to clear the bridge at police request - apparently they thought the police were simplying making up a way to get them out of the way. So while I appreciate the goals of Critical Mass, their methods have definitely left a sour taste in my mouth, and I'm troubled by any article that applauds them without considering the downside of their actions.
Certainly Critical Mass has come in for its own criticism. And your example is a case in point. However automobile traffic jams and snarls also regularly cause diversion of emergency services. (In Sydney, the Police bike unit rides with CM and have an working rapport with the organisers.) It should be noted that many multitudes of cyclists are knocked over by cars every year, being killed or injured, and requiring an ambulance ride.
Thats the whole point. The auto mobile is the worst invention of man..our cities and towns are built around it..not humans..THINK.
Critical Mass in D.C. needs your help we are still able to have fun but we could use more riders so if you are reading this and you live near D.C. or in D.C. come on out every 1st friday 6:00 pm Dupont circle ride out at 6:15 or so! Let us create larger CMs around the world make this earth a slightly better place to exist
This is real fun, however, it should be really difficult to organize to ensure the safety... Does anyone know about any accidents during the event?
Dan
http://ambustat.com