activity . . . BIKE . critical mass

Even QUEEN agree. 

Researching more into the activity of 

"Riding a Bike"

and why it is GOOD. 

I found out about a worldwide event called 'Critical Mass'

Critical Mass is a event that is usually held on the last friday of ever month in over 300 cities around the world. Including Leeds where cyclist meet at 5:30pm at Millenium Square.

It oringinally began in 1992 in San Francisco. The whole reason behind Critical Mass is FUN to cycle around the cities streets with a large number of people.

As a whole the groups of people see the gathering as a celebration not as a way of promoting political views. 

The name is taken from Ted White's documentary 'Return of the Scorcher', about bike culture overseas. In that film it looks at China and studies the fact that motorists and cyclists have a mutural understanding of degotiating the streets without using traffic signals. It was described that traffic would bunch up until there was a 'critical mass' of cyclists. at this point the Mass would move through the intersection. The cyclist used this term and named their cycle event after it.

The ROUTE is either decided by the front cyclists on a spontanious wim. Or they are voted for and planned before.  The main point is that there is no leadership. Critical Mass stands for cyclists that are ALL equal and looses it's meaning when someone becomes 'in charge'.

Corking is a term used when a couple of cyclist will block off intersections so the mass group can cycle through red lights. This obviously causes some heated debates and sometimes has ended in arrests of motorists and cyclists. 

Critical Mass is so GOOD

that it has inspired the Burning man festival to embrace a Mass cycle names "Critical Tits".

Critical Mass :

Critical Tits:

Like everything Critical Mass has generated controversy and public opposition.

Some critics claim that Critical Mass is a deliberate attempt to abstruct traffic and mess with normal everyday city functions. A excuse for individuals as a group to ignore traffic laws. 

Sometimes protensters turn up to critical mass to argue against the groups being.

Some cyclists fear that 'Critical Mass' could make cyclists less popular and lessen the funding by government in cities. But the group does not condone violence. 

And like everything there will always be one dickhead who just wants a fight.

Although The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition credits critical mass for highlighting the top bicylce issues often overlooked and comends them for their efforts of trying to add to the cycling community.