Indymedia York

You may have seen leaflets advertising the upcoming Critical Mass, and are wondering “What's all this about?” – Well, read on to find out more.

What is Critical Mass?
Critical Mass (CM) is whatever the participants wish it to be! There are as many different aims to a CM as there are participants, and the sum of this collective experience is the ‘mass’. To some it is simply a celebration of cycling, to others a viable method of highlighting the insanity of the car-culture and demonstrating the advantages of using alternative (non-motorised) transport within a city, or it can just be a fun bike ride and an opportunity to make new friends. Generally they are chaotic, boisterous with a carnival type atmosphere and are a lot of fun!

CM is a spontaneous event with no stated message and has been described as an ‘unorganised coincidence’. It is not a group, but rather an idea or tactic and is when a group of cyclists decide to ride together in the same direction for a time, thus creating a safe, autonomous zone on the road, free from cars and other forms of motorised transport.

The ethos of CM can be summed up in the well used slogan “We aren’t stopping traffic. We are traffic!”

Where did the idea come from?
CM was conceived as a method of highlighting the difficulties cyclists faced commuting to work sharing the road with car users during 1992 in San Francisco, and since then the idea has spread to become a world-wide phenomena. There has been a monthly ride in London since 1994 and most major cities within the UK now have regular rides, including Leeds.

The term ‘critical mass’ is used by some social theorists who posit that change is possible within society when a critical mass of popular support is demonstrated. This social construct reflects the unsaid ambitions of ‘massers’ who hope that the balance of transportation within urban areas will shift towards bicycles away from motorised forms of transport, especially the privately owned car.

Is it legal?
Yes! CMs are non-hierarchal, spontaneous and un-led. It is not a ‘public procession’ (of which any organisers would need to provide the police with seven days notice) nor is it a political demonstration. As long as there are no leaders, no stated purpose or pre-arranged route no laws are being broken.

The most common complaints posited are that CMs obstruct traffic and participants don’t follow the Highway Code. However, this argument can be countered by pointing out that car drivers block the highway when causing traffic jams, and this has a greater, cumulative effect on people than any mild inconvenience caused to road users during the time of a CM.

Is it only for cyclists?
Individuals can participate with any forms of non-motorised transport they wish to use. Skateboarders, rollerbladers, wheelchair users and even people on pogo-sticks have been seen on previous CMs!

All this sounds great, when is the next one in York?
CM returns to York on Friday 3rd November 2006 and every first Friday of the month thereafter, meeting at 17.30 outside the Minster. The theme of this first ride will be “Climate Chaos”, so dress suitably, how about a woolly scarf and bathing cap, maybe even a pair of swimming goggles! There will be food and a film showing about Critical Mass after the ride at 19.30 at Space 109 on Walmgate. All are welcome including non-riders.