Critical Mass (cycling)

Critical Mass is a form of direct action in which people meet at a set location and time and travel as a group through their neighbourhoods on bikes. The idea is for people to group together to make it safe for each other to ride bicycles through their streets, based on the old mantra: there's safety in numbers.

San Francisco Critical Mass, April 29, 2005.

Critical Mass events highlight the numbers of people who want to use their bike on the streets, but are usually unable to do so without risking their safety. They are a call to action to councils, governments and road planners to properly and thoughtfully design in the safety of all road users, including those who would prefer to walk and cycle, instead of prioritising motor traffic above all else.

The event originated in 1992 in San Francisco (typically held on the last Friday of every month);[1] by the end of 2003, the event was being held in over 300 cities around the world.[2]

Critical Mass has been described as "monthly political-protest rides", and characterized as being part of a social movement.[3] It has been described as a "monthly protest by cyclists reclaiming the streets."[4] Participants have insisted that these events should be viewed as "celebrations" and spontaneous gatherings, and not as protests or organized demonstrations.[5][6] This stance allows Critical Mass to argue a legal position that its events can occur without advance notification of local police.[7][8] Though they are sometimes described as political, they are not necessarily.

History
Broadway Tunnel (San Francisco) September 29, 2006

Critical Mass-like bike tours with hundreds of participants took place in Stockholm, Sweden in the early 1970s.[9] But the first ride within the present wave took place on Friday, September 25, 1992, at 6 pm in San Francisco. At that time, the event was known as Commute Clot and was composed of a couple of dozen cyclists who had received flyers on Market Street.[1]

Shortly after this, some participants in that ride went to a local bicycle shop for a screening of Ted White's documentary Return of the Scorcher, about bike culture in the Netherlands and China in comparison with that of the United States. In that film, American human-powered vehicle and pedicab designer George Bliss noted that, in China, both motorists and bicyclists had an "understood" method of negotiating intersections without signals. Traffic would queue up at these intersections until the backlog reached a "critical mass", at which point that mass would move through the intersection. This term from the footage of the movie, was applied to the name of the ride,[10] and the name caught on, replacing "Commute Clot" by the time of the second event.[1]

Organization and tactics

Structure

Critical Mass has a decentralized (rather than hierarchical) structure. Critical Mass is sometimes called an "organized coincidence", with no leadership or membership. The routes of some rides are decided spontaneously by whomever is currently at the front of the ride, while others are decided prior to the ride by a popular vote of suggested routes often drawn up on photocopied fliers. The term xerocracy was coined to describe a process by which the route for a Critical Mass can be decided: anyone who has an opinion makes their own map and distributes it to the cyclists participating in the Mass. Still other rides decide the route by consensus. The disorganized nature of the event allows it to largely escape clampdown by authorities who may view the rides as forms of parades or organized protest. Additionally, the movement is free from the structural costs associated with a centralized, hierarchical organization. In order for the event to function, the only requirement is a sufficient turn-out to create a "critical mass" of riders dense enough to occupy a piece of road to the exclusion of drivers of motorized vehicles. Authorities in New York, California and Oregon have expressed concern with the difficulty of coordinating with the riders, due to the lack of leadership.[11][12][13]

Scale
Bike lift in Budapest, September 22, 2007

Critical Mass rides vary greatly in many respects, including frequency and number of participants. For example, many small cities have monthly Critical Mass rides with fewer than twenty riders which offer safety in numbers[14] to cyclists in those locales, while on the opposite extreme, in what have been the largest events using the name Critical Mass, cyclists in Budapest, Hungary hold only two rides each year on April 22 (Earth Day) and September 22 (International Car Free Day). The "Budapest style" attracts tens of thousands of riders.[15] The April 20, 2008, Budapest ride participation was estimated at 80,000 riders.[16][17] In Vienna, close to Budapest, a Critical Mass Ride has been held every month since 2006 and attracts up to 1,000 or more riders.[18]

Corking
Detail from the November 20, 1992 flyer by Joel Pomerantz which introduced the concept of corking

Because Critical Mass takes place without an official route or sanction, participants in some cities have sometimes practiced a tactic known as "corking" in order to maintain the cohesion of the group. This tactic consists of a few riders blocking traffic from side roads so that the mass can freely proceed through red lights without interruption. Corking allows the mass to engage in a variety of activities, such as forming a cyclone, lifting their bikes in a tradition known as a "Bike Lift" (in Chicago this is referred to as a Chicago hold-up), or to perform a "die-in" where riders lie on the ground with their bikes to symbolise cyclist deaths and injuries caused by automobiles, very popular in Montreal. The "Corks" sometimes take advantage of their time corking to distribute fliers.

The practice of corking roads in order to pass through red lights as a group is in contravention of traffic laws in some jurisdictions and is sometimes criticized to be contrary to Critical Mass' claim that "we are traffic", since ordinary traffic does not have the right to go through intersections once the traffic signal has changed to red.[19] Joel Pomerantz, the writer, rider and co-founder of Critical Mass who popularized corking in San Francisco, explained in his 1992 instructional flyer that he sees the ride as a single vehicle for safety purposes, similar to a longer, articulated bus. He argued that it enhances both traffic flow overall and safety to keep the ride together as in a funeral procession, which he viewed Critical as, metaphorically, for the death of car culture and crash victims.[20] Frustrated car drivers inhibited by the ride have sometimes reacted in hostile ways toward riders, even erupting into violence and arrests of motorists and cyclists alike during Critical Mass rides.[21] Pomerantz's flyers have also proposed that drivers should only be as mad as they are at any traffic jam, most of which they accept as normal.

Other bicycling groups

Similar organizations and movements

The Critical Mass rides have inspired a number of other bicycle movements, that range from political movements to the "Critical Tits" ride during the yearly Burning Man festival.[22] In Chicago, a movement has grown out of the Critical Mass community to promote winter cycling via the bikewinter campaign.[23] The extensive news coverage of San Francisco's July 1997 ride spawned an international celebration of bicycling, called Bike Summer.[24] Kidical Mass originated in Oregon, and encourages bicycle riding for children and families.[25] The movement gained momentum in North America and Europe and set a record in September 2019, when 1100 riders took part in Dortmund, Germany.[26] Critical Sass was an all-female version of the ride in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that took place the second Friday of every month. The Tweed Run (along with various other vintage bike rides) is a well dressed mass which takes place annually in a number of cities across the world. Examples of Critical Mass rides for political movements includes the Free Tibet Rides (May 2008): Free Tibet Critical Mass in Columbia, Missouri, "Tibetan Freedom Bike Rally" in San Francisco (Aug 2008), and in "Bike Ride for Tibet" in London (Aug 2008).[27]

San Jose is the home to San Jose Bike Party. Bike Party rides on the third Friday of the month with a different starting point and route each time. Rides are typically 15–25 miles in length and usually 1000-2000 riders in Summer. The ride aims to build a community of cyclists and prove that bikes can co-exist with cars. It is different than Critical Mass in that it rides after rush hour and obeys all traffic laws and has a pre-determined route.[28][29][30]

San Luis Obispo, California, is the home of the "Bikes are happening..." meetup. Bikes are happening... starts at Mission Plaza at 9:30 pm on the first Thursday of the month. The ride consists of a continuous half mile loop through downtown San Luis Obispo. Since there is no permit for the ride, riders are asked to follow three rules: have fun, respect the community, and obey all traffic laws.[31]

In Portland, Oregon a tactic called a “bike swarm” has been used by Occupy Wall Street protesters to separate marching protesters from police.[32][33]

A huge bicycle demonstration is the "Fahrrad-Sternfahrt" in Berlin, Germany, since 1976. Each year in June and usually have 150.000–250.000 riders. Together the 19 rides are more than 600 miles long including two sections of motorway.[34]

Critical Manners
Critical Mass riders in Atlanta

In San Francisco, an event known as "Critical Manners" was created as a response to Critical Mass. Critical Manners rides through the city on the second Friday of the month, with riders encouraged to obey all traffic laws such as stopping at red lights and signaling.[35][36] Tucson, Arizona holds the Tuesday Night Community Bike Ride as their alternative to Critical Mass. The weekly ride encourages bicycle commuting and motor vehicle awareness in a peaceful and friendly way.[37]

In 2007 there were conversations about starting Critical Manners in Portland, Oregon.[38] According to the Critical Mass book, a similar project known as Courteous Mass is described as "an alternative to Critical Mass."

An alternative ride named RideCivil formed in Seattle in late 2007.[39] Rides are on the second Friday of every month, and focus on encouraging civility between motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.[40]

The Mobile Social is a large no-drop, family and first-timer friendly alternative ride in Atlanta sponsored by the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. Rides start on 2nd Thursday of every month, meeting at Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta and a focus on promoting local small business and cycling for commuting, social and civic engagement.

On June 12, 2009, an Indianapolis Critical Manners ride called "Courteous Mass" was launched[41] but is no longer active as of 2016.[42]

On August 14, 2009 there was a Critical Manners ride in Vancouver, British Columbia.[43] The ride consisted of between 70–100 cyclists riding through the downtown core, making all attempts to follow the rules of the road (stopping at red lights / stop signs, using hand signals to turn, using the right-most lane or bike lane when applicable). The event generated some coverage in the local media[44] and was generally deemed a success by the participants, although there were some criticisms.[45] The ride only survived one outing.[46]

In Kathmandu, Nepal, it has been organised since April 2013. In general cyclists gather at Kathmandu Durbar Square, Basantapur and ride round the city before grouping together again. Sometimes there are people organizing awareness programmes in this gathering. People who really love cycling and feel awareness about own health, environment they doing Critical Mass Gathering even after the heavy Nepal Earthquake 2015 with slogan "Quake or Shake, Sunny or Rainy, we have to flow with time for next smile..."

Critical Mass (Kathmandu, Nepal)

Conflicts involving Critical Mass
Main article: Conflicts involving Critical Mass

Critical Mass rides have generated controversy and public opposition.[47] The group has often protested in high-profile events, ranging from major political events[48] to the Olympics.[49] Some critics claim that Critical Mass is a deliberate attempt to obstruct traffic and disrupt normal city functions, asserting that individuals taking part refuse to obey traffic laws.[50]

Some bicycling advocacy groups have expressed concern that the nature of Critical Mass and altercations with motorists could weaken public support for cyclists.[12] Though it does not condone incidents of violence and rudeness, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition credits Critical Mass with spotlighting bicycle issues and aiding their efforts in advocating for cyclists.[1]

See also

References
  1. Garofoli, Joe (September 28, 2002). "Critical Mass turns 10". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 20, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
  2. Madden, Richard (December 15, 2003). "London: How cyclists around the world put a spoke in the motorist's wheel". The Daily Telegraph. UK.
  3. Mcgrath, Ben (November 13, 2006). "Holy Rollers". Archived from the original on December 6, 2006.
  4. "Critical Mass London". Urban75. 2006. Archived from the original on December 31, 2006.
  5. "Pittsburgh Critical Mass". Archived from the original on September 28, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  6. "Critical Mass: Over 260 Arrested in First Major Protest of RNC". Democracy Now!. August 30, 2004. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007.
  7. Seaton, Matt (October 26, 2005). "Critical crackdown". The Guardian. London.
  8. Rosi-Kessel, Adam (August 24, 2004). "[*BCM*] Hong Kong Critical Mass News". Archived from the original on December 8, 2006.
  9. "Cyklister i Storstockholm" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  10. Pomerantz, Joel (2002). "A Critical Mass Cultural Glossary". In Carlsson, Chris (ed.). Critical Mass: Bicycling's Defiant Celebration. Edinburgh, Scotland: AK Press. ISBN 1-902593-59-6.
  11. Palmer, Susan (May 20, 2006). "Rolling protests hit bump". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon – via Questia.
  12. Moore, Martha T. (November 15, 2004). "Big pack of bikes piques police". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011.
  13. Bennett, Dylan; Giles, Gretchen. "Bicyclists see transportation as critical". MetroActive News & Issues. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  14. Gaffney, Dan (September 3, 2008). "A virtuous cycle: safety in numbers for riders says research". Archived from the original on September 20, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2008.
  15. "A critical mass critique". Budapest Sun Online. April 20, 2008. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  16. "Minden eddiginél többen vettek részt a Critical Mass felvonuláson" (in Hungarian). MTI. Archived from the original on June 23, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  17. "Critical Mass wheels away". Budapest Sun Online. April 23, 2008. Archived from the original on March 14, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  18. "Kommentare zu: Frühlingszeit – CM-Zeit – Graz 25.03.11". Archived from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  19. "Motor Vehicle Act, R.S.B.C. 1996 c.318 ss.119, 183 – Definitions, Cycle; Rights and Duties of Operator of Cycle". Revised Statutes of British Columbia. CanLii. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  20. Pomerantz, Joel (1992). How to Maintain a Safe Ride. San Francisco: self published flyer – via Wikimedia.
  21. Gutierrez, Scott (July 3, 2006). "2 bicyclists arrested at Critical Mass get out of jail". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  22. "Critical Tits Party FAQ". Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
  23. "Chicago Bikewinter". Archived from the original on March 16, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  24. "BikeSummer 2006: History". Archived from the original on August 28, 2006.
  25. "Kidical Mass". Archived from the original on February 2, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  26. "Kidical Mass Dortmund: 1100 Teilnehmer wollen bessere Radwege". VeloCityRuhr. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  27. "Free Tibet protesters hit the streets on bikes". Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  28. "San Jose Bike Party – How We Ride!". Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  29. Richards, Gary (August 19, 2009). "Roadshow: San Jose Bike Party hits the road Friday". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  30. Gonzales, Sandra (October 20, 2010). "San Jose Bike Party, monthly ride attracts thousands of die-hard bicyclists, but no politics". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  31. "About the Bike Happening". Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  32. Maus, Jonathan (November 23, 2011). "The 'bike swarm' evolves into a movement of its own". Bike Portland. Archived from the original on November 28, 2011.
  33. "Riot police use pepper spray to try to control Occupy crowd". KATU. November 17, 2011. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015.
  34. "Angloinfo Berlin". Angloinfo. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  35. Steve, Rubenstein (April 14, 2007). "Critical Manners takes a stand for sharing, harmony, red lights". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 12, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
  36. Steve Rubenstein (April 13, 2007). "Critical Manners ride starts at 6 pm". The San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  37. Herreras, Mari (November 8, 2007). "Tucson on Two Wheels". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  38. Jonathan Maus (August 14, 2007). "Would Critical Manners Catch On In Portland?". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  39. "Critical Man-nerds ride report". Bike Hugger. October 16, 2007. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2009.
  40. "Seattle Ride Civil website". Archived from the original on May 10, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  41. "Courteous Mass, Critical Manners". INDYCOG. June 3, 2009. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
  42. "Indianapolis Courteous Mass, Critical Manners Facebook page". Facebook. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
  43. "The Long-Awaited Route". WordPress.com. August 12, 2009. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  44. David Carrit (August 1, 2009). "Cyclists launch well-mannered rival to Critical Mass". The Province. Archived from the original on October 28, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  45. "We did it!". Wordpress. August 14, 2009. Archived from the original on September 22, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  46. "Ride postponed". Wordpress. September 9, 2009. Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  47. Cabanatuan, Michael; Van Derbeken, Jaxon; Vega, Cecilia M. (April 5, 2007). "Clash reignites road wars:Skirmish between driver, Critical Mass participants triggers another round of debate about monthly ride". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 26, 2008.
  48. Jonathan Wald (August 29, 2004). "264 arrested in NYC bicycle protest". CNN. Archived from the original on June 3, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  49. Richards, Tom (July 30, 2012). "Cycling arrests raise questions about legacy Olympic organisers want to leave". Guardian. London. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  50. Gord MacFarlane (August 7, 2006). "Critical Mass protesters too critical". Winnipeg Sun. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
  • Still We Ride The IMDb page on a documentary about a 2004 police crackdown on Critical Mass
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