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..
People's comments about Manchester Critical Mass
"...it's brilliant. Usually I'm charging around on my bike, getting where
i need to go as fast as i can. Critical mass is different. It's about
enjoying riding. It's the most relaxed ride around the city I've ever had.
Where all my worries and fears float away. And I've met some lovely people
too"
"I was scared it would be some angry bike militants but everyone is so
friendly and the ride is fun no aggro at all. See you next month!"
"it's quite something to have that many peeps riding round at once."
"Critical Mass sometimes has a reputation for being an angry rabble of
cyclists that want to string up any car drivers they see. This is not true
of Manchester Critical Mass, it is a fluffy mass of people that like to
have fun on bikes, there are often have children with us and a bicycle
sound system to add to the party fun atmosphere. As well as being fun and
a social event it is also to show how great a car free city will be. This
is achieved every month by showing motorists an alternative, yet critical
mass Manchester doesn't aim to annoy drivers we want them to join us.."
(taken from emails we've received)
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 oncoming 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 a set 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!
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.
