RIDE WITH US!
It's easy to join the critical mass- just show up with a bike, or skateboard, or rollerblades, and roll along! Everyone is welcome. We are not an organized body or parade, and everyone shows up of their own free will. Often, people who see the mass passing by will just join in and ride with us!
A FEW TIPS:
Getting ready to ride in your first Critical Mass? That's fantastic! You're about to join a great group of people for a really fun experience. No preparation is required, but here are a few tips so you know what to expect.
1) When the group reaches a red light we stop. If we are only partway through an intersection when the light changes, however, we continue through it as a group until everyone is past. The primary reason for doing this is safety- if cars separate the mass, it becomes a dangerous situation for everyone involved. To help the group stay together, riders block the intersection to allow everyone to pass, and then bring up the rear with a cheerful wave to the drivers who have (hopefully) waited patiently for us to pass.
2) When we reach the High-level Bridge, we break into two groups so that we can take up both lanes as we cross. Again, the reason for this is safety: the bridge is too narrow for cars to pass a large group of cyclists safely. It really doesn't take us that long to get across, especially considering the bridge is usually backed in rush hour traffic anyway. However, this is usually the point at which motorists express their frustration with the delay by honking, and occasionally yelling mean things at us. Which brings us to point 3 below.
3) If you've read the other sections, you'll have noticed that Critical Mass is a celebration of the bicycle, not a protest against cars. We try to keep the spirit of celebration alive with fun themes and costumes for each month. You are encouraged to bring signs that explain Critical Mass (we have found this seems to improve car-bike relations on the ride), as well as noise makers, costumes, etc. We're doing this to express our vision for what the streets could look like & hopefully that's a world without violence and road rage, so let's keep the Mass that way too!
4) The Bike Lift at the end is a symbol of the Critical Mass all over the world; and damn it feels good to lift your bike over your head and cheer because we took back our streets, we brought our community together, and we believe in something beautiful- namely, the bike!
5) Note: Other forms of people powered transportation are also more than welcome. To date, both roller-bladers and skate boarders have joined us for the celebration.
6) After the ride, there is often some kind of social event such as a film screening or potluck. Check out the homepage each month to see what's planned.
See you at the next ride!
We're not blocking traffic – we are traffic!