Critical Mass at Car Spindle, Chicago. Photo: Payton Chung

Critical Mass (CM) is a monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists' right to the road. The idea started in San Francisco in September 1992 and quickly spread to cities all over the world. There are now Critical Mass rides organized in at least 40 countries.

Understand the Structure

CM has no leaders. It's an event, not an organization. In every city that has a CM, one or more cyclists just picked a day and time and started handing out fliers.

Choose a Recurring Time

Your CM needs to happen at a consistent time and place each month so that people know where and when it is. The last Friday of the month at 5:30 is traditional, Advertise with fliers placed on bicycles and at bike shops.

Don't Get a Permit

When local police learn of your ride, they may insist that you get a permit, perhaps a parade permit. Don't do it. The point of Critical Mass is that biking is a right, not a privilege. Cars don't need permits to ride on the streets, and neither should cyclists.

Austin, TX CM was told it needed a permit, refused to get one, and then suffered arrests of riders. Cyclists went to court and either won their cases, or had them thrown out of court. Riders in other cities, such as New York, suffered similar harassment, but ultimately prevailed.

Will You Block Traffic?

The most controversial aspect of CM is the extent to which it blocks traffic. Remember that CM is supposed to be a celebration of cycling, not your opportunity to see how much inconvenience you can cause to others. It's about asserting our right to the road, not denying others their right to the road.

Confrontation with Motorists

Harassing motorists doesn't help anyone. Many CM'ers make it a point to be friendly to motorists, such as smiling and waving -- even smiling and waving back when motorists are honking and cursing at them. If you want to avoid confrontation with motorists, put something to that effect in the fliers you use to promote the rides.

Police Intervention

The police may or may not show up at your ride. If they show up, they may harass you for breaking traffic laws, or they may harass you even if you're not breaking any laws. Your best defense against unreasonable police action is a video camera. One Austin rider mounted a camera to her helmet.

Get Creative

CM can be festive. Many riders wear costumes or decorate their bikes extravagantly. Use your imagination. It makes the rides more fun.

Happy Riding!