Critical mass in a bike ride

Critical Mass is a gathering of a large number of cyclists, traditionally held on the last Friday of each month in more than 300 cities around the world.

Any cyclist can take part in the Critical Mass movement. For the Critical Mass race, the place and time of the gathering of participants are announced in advance, mainly through social networks and the route. To participate, you need to come to the indicated place on a serviceable bike and be ready to drive at a low pace for 15-30 kilometers.

In the West, Critical Mass has existed for more than 20 years. The movement originated in San Francisco. About 60 cyclists took part in the first action in 1992. Every month their number increased to 700 people. Soon, similar actions began to take place in other cities of America, and then the movement spread to Europe. More than 5,000 people took part in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Critical Mass in San Francisco alone.

Movement concept

Any cyclist can take part in the Critical Mass movement. For the Critical Mass race, the place and time of the gathering of participants are announced in advance, mainly through social networks and the route. To participate, you need to come to the indicated place on a serviceable bike and be ready to drive at a low pace for 15-30 kilometers.

The history of the movement

Budapest, 2006
In the West, Critical Mass has existed for more than 20 years. The movement originated in San Francisco. About 60 cyclists took part in the first action in 1992. Every month their number increased to 700 people. Soon, similar actions began to take place in other cities of America, and then the movement spread to Europe. More than 5,000 people took part in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Critical Mass in San Francisco alone.

Gradually, activists began to associate their actions not only with transport policy, but also with other social problems. In 2003, during the Iraq War, cyclists blocked traffic under the slogan: “Bikes not bombs” – “Bikes – yes, bombs – no!”.

Movement tasks

The tasks set by the participants of the Critical Mass movement:

  • promotion of cycling;
  • drawing the attention of city authorities and motorists to the need for transport reforms;
  • observance of traffic rules by all road users;
  • mutual respect on public roads;

the possibility of creating a full-fledged bicycle infrastructure in the city, including:

  • bicycle roads, bicycle parking, various types of bicycle services;
  • struggle for an ecological mode of transport.

Rules for road users

The rules for Critical Mass participants when riding a bicycle come down to following the Rules of the Road. Driving rules that road users should know:

  • You must drive strictly in the direction of traffic. Driving in the opposite lane is prohibited!;
  • Drive as close as possible to the right side of the road or on the side of the road. It is forbidden to drive to the middle of the road, even if there are no cars there!;
  • Sidewalks – for pedestrians (in the new traffic rules – there is a term “Bicycle path” and it is allowed to ride a bicycle on the sidewalks if pedestrians are not interfered with). You can walk along the sidewalk and drive a bicycle nearby (you can only ride on difficult and dangerous sections of the road);
  • Red light for everyone! Not only for cars, but also for cyclists!;
  • To turn right, you need to put your right hand to the side and let the pedestrians pass;
  • Turning left on roads with MORE THAN ONE lane for cycling in the same direction is prohibited. For this maneuver, it is necessary to “break” the movement into two parts and drive straight at the intersection, and then turn the bike around and drive straight again;
  • Before driving around a parked car, it is necessary to put your left hand to the side in advance, while observing the maximum distance of 0.6 m;

Constantly follow road signs and signs and strictly follow their requirements.