Critical Mass is
a monthly mass bike ride that takes place every last friday of the month at
6pm outside central library M1 (UK)
we ride rain or shine!
We cycle round the city to celebrate the bicycle:
It's for anyone that rides a bike;
Its a celebration of getting round the city without polluting it;
Its about every journey being an adventure instead of just sitting on a
boring bus or in a stressful car;
Its about cyclists riding together to demand more respect from other road
users;
Its a way to meet other cyclistas;
also at that time on friday hundreds of cities around the world do the
same thing...all get together for critical mass. its beautiful to know
that as you ride with your mates through your own city that all around the
world thousands of people are doing the same thing..
At previous critical masses in Manchester we decided on the following tips
to ensure that we are all safe,that we cause least annoyance as possible,
to make sure the ride stays together and to ensure that everyone feels
comfortable. Remember sometimes people on critical mass come because it is
a chance to reclaim the road and to feel safe, people who wouldnt usually
ride in central manchester and also children, so its good to keep the nice
friendly atmosphere to encourage cycling and that safe environment...if
people want to discuss these its great, they were points that were agreed
at several critical masses by people shouting and waving hands and that
kind of thing. there is no organiser and everyone should be able to have
their say. (in a way that is responsible and looking after each other)
1. If the light goes on red as the ride approaches the lights we stop and
wait for green.
2. If the light changes part way through the ride getting through around 2
people per lane of
oncomin traffic stop and cork the road. This basically means that they
stand in the middle of that
lane holding up their hand/ a sign saying 'thank you for waiting' so that
cars will stop and let the
ride stay together and go through the light safely. Thanking the drivers
when everyone is through..
we are trying to get drivers onto bikes not to hate us!!!
3. Slower riders and children and people with less confidence ride at the
front of the ride and to
the left hand side so that they can set the pace and help to stay together
and also feel safer as
they are less likely to be near traffic/ annoyed drivers.
4. We don't have aset route for critical mass, instead whoever is at the
front at the time can
choose where we go, so we take it in turns! just shout left or right or
straight on in plenty of time!
5. Have fun!
Future critical mass dates are
MEET CENTRAL LIBRARY 6PM FRIDAY:
31st August
28th September
26th October
30th November
28th December
2008
25th January
29th February (woo leap year!)
28th March
etc etc
join our email list for updates
manchester critical mass meet every last friday 6pm central library
About Critical Mass
Critical Mass rides began in San Francisco in 1992 and rides spread around the
United States and the world with over 200 rides taking place in 2006.
Critical Mass has no leaders, and no central organization licenses rides. In
every city that has a Critical Mass ride, some locals simply picked a date,
time, and location for the ride and publicized it, and thus the ride was born.
Critical Mass is an idea and an event, not an organization.