“We’re not blocking traffic, we are traffic” is one of its slogans. Critical Mass is a movement that began in San Francisco in 1992. Cyclists come together and ride the streets of their cities to promote cycling as the best means of urban transit. In thirteen years, Critical Mass proponents have grown exponentially and globally, with thousands of groups of “two-wheeled revolutionaries” converging worldwide. Its objective is to allow traffic-trapped car drivers (as well as urban planners and city administrations) to take note of an alternative means of locomotion and the heartfelt requirements of a large group of citizens. Emphasising its message, especially in the past, Critical Mass has a history of traffic disturbances, leading to violent clashes with police officers. The only constant factor is the bi-monthly occurrence of the ritual rides, which are echoed around the world in at least 200 cities. In Manhattan, for example, the “mass pedal-driven happening”, currently in the viewfinder of city administrators is on the first Friday of the month. Rendez-vous at Central Park. E.S.

New York – U.S.A.
Critical Mass.
Central Park Moonlight Ride
1.4.2005, h. 22
http://www.critical-mass.org