Critical mass - PAST and PRESENT
CM emerged in September 1992 in San Francisco when 48 people gathered for the so called "Commute Clot". The ride increased in size every month and by the time 1993 came about, around 500 cyclists joined the event in San Francisco. Furthermore, the idea spread well between cities, countries and continents. The cycling minority became visible to set forth to auto-dominated society.
The name "critical mass" was inspired by Ted White's documentary "Return of the Scorcher" dealing with bike culture overseas. In this film the human powered vehicle designer George Bliss describes a typical scene in China: On intersections without signals bicyclists slowly amass, until a sufficient "critical mass" yields to cross traffic which gives them power to move.
This term was applied by participants after the first ride in San Francisco.
In June 1997 the Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown was delayed on his way to dinner in heavy traffic due to the Friday critical mass event. Press subsequently quoted him threatening riders with arrest. This motivated a crowd of approximately 7000 bicyclists to ride on the next celebration in July.
But the Mayor failed to address the enraged crowed at Justin Herman Plaza staging area and confronted them with a police riot. Arrests, illegal civil assets and push-bike confiscations could neither seize the local nor global redefinition of public space by people who favour self powered transportation. It encouraged an international response.
By now CM is celebrated worldwide on every continent. Approximately 325 cities in over 25 countries have more or less frequent rides every year. The biggest "organised coincidence" was 2007 reported in Hungary with 30,000-50,000 cyclists. Moreover, CM grew to subculture which expresses itself in books, documentary films, murals, artifacts and networks.
Cyclists are still a minority but they have got a collective voice which gets stronger on the streets and in the political landscape with every CM, as well in Auckland!
-Cat
