As you probably noticed I'm a bicycle freak.
Today I would like present to you a project (event) which is for all cyclists. It is possible that some of you already heard about it.
It is Critical Mass!
Critical Mass is a bicycling event typically held on the last Friday of every month in over 300 cities around the world.While the ride was originally founded in 1992 in San Francisco with the idea of drawing attention to how unfriendly the city was to cyclists, the leaderless structure of Critical Mass makes it impossible to assign it any one specific goal. In fact, the purpose of Critical Mass is not formalized beyond the direct action of meeting at a set location and time and traveling as a group through city or town streets on bikes.
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 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. The April 20, 2008 Budapest ride participation was estimated at 80,000 riders.
Critical Mass rides have generated considerable controversy and public opposition.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. Altercations with police and motorists have occurred. Although uncommon, protesters are sometimes present at Critical Mass events to oppose the group's methods.
In Warsaw, the first Mass was held probably 8 May 1998 and since then took place from time to time.
Until memorable June 2002, when the mass appeared more cyclists than usual. Police launched a poorly organized campaign catching cyclists. Through this event a Critical Mass began to speak in the media. Since that time the mass takes place regularly and always gathers a number of cyclists.
Video of Critical Mass in 2002:
Since July 2004 has been a new habit of organizing the Night Critical Mass that perfectly combine the advantages of the ordinary masses and riding a bicycle at night - now meet on the second Saturday of each month.
I participated in few of them but that was like 10 years ago...I think somewhere between 1999 and 2001. The "night critical mass" looks like a good idea. I once organized something similar on a smaller scale :) Basicly I was riding through Warsaw with a group of 15 people. We were meeting in a certain place at midnight and then we decided where to ride.
ReplyDeleteOverall at first I agreed with the postulates of critical mass that the city should be more bicycle friendly but I realize that in some cases that's just impossible. Because there's just not always enough room to make a special path for bikes. But all the newer parts of town like Ursynów or Wilanów which are constantly expanding, take that into account. And are planned with cycling in mind.
I sympathize with this action, but I have never taken part in it. One of my favorite ways of traveling in Warsaw is combination subway + bicycle and it's also my favorite way to school :-) Nonetheless it's just a communication method and only riding in the wilderness gives me the real pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that actions like Warsaw Critical Mass are maybe radical, but still efficient to change authorities' thinking about urban space.
I didn't know that Warsaw Critical Masses are that radical - have seen them few times and had impression that everything was well planned with assist of Police or Municipal Guard on front and end of cyclists column.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like this since 2002 I suppose. Earlier it was rather kind of guerilla event.
Yet one must admit it has drawn a lot of attention to authorities and society about cycling and changes needed in our urban space.
Personally I never participated in such event myself but it definitely sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have few concerns though.
You mentioned that such events bring certain amount of controversy among groups of people which lead to various protests and even police interventions.
I wonder wheter those protests are caused simply by standard "I dont do it so its strange and you should stop it" way of thinking, or because those events actually leave heck of a mess in the city?
I know it may be a bad comparision but some time ago in Warsaw a running marathon was organised, it happened on Sunday or Saturday I think so in theory best time to not bother too many people BUT...
They still decided its a fabulous idea to run exactly through the city center and cause a mega traffic.
Now I know that one day of traffic shouldnt really be a reason for protesting perhaps but in the same time I can understand people who might not like such things.
So, depending how much of a mess Critical Mass events cause, I would say that some protesting people might be right.
Im not really against the event myself but I just understand their point of view partly. Or so I imagine.
I didn't know that it has so long tradition . I've noticed in media that organisers try to promote Critical Mass as hard as they can. I think they do perfect work! It is organised well so it becomes safer and police stops to disturb cyclists:) I've heard lately that they were nominated by Gazeta Stołeczna to be the symbol of Warsaw in last two decades, finally they got third place.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen it but I've always wanted to take part in it. I heard about unusual mood that is between participants. Maybe on day I will try it.
ReplyDelete