More on Critical Mass

On the heels of my Bikes in the Streets post from yesterday is this article from this week's NYT Magazine. It offered some backgroud on critical mass:

Part of the conceit of Critical Mass is that it is not organized or led by anyone in particular; it simply happens. Political confrontation in New York notwithstanding, the rides actually began in San Francisco in the early 1990's, when cyclists who worked downtown began biking homeward, west up Market Street, as a group. (The name is borrowed from an anecdote about Chinese cyclists who wait until a critical mass of riders can move into the street and essentially force car traffic to adjust.) Critical Mass rides soon started in New York (among other places), where they are now closely associated with the environmental group Time's Up, which posts information about the rides and many other cycling events on its Web site.

I hope I can get in on one of these rides soon. They're ongoing in Philly the last Friday of each month. But this month I'll be out of town in CT for the last weekend. Next month is Thanksgiving and I'll be in NY for the weekend. And then December, let's see how cold it is then.

Anybody reading this blog ever taken part in a Critical Mass anywhere? Specifically in Philly?

Comments

[Scott]

I have a run in with these folks last November. You can read about it here, if you so please.

[Ajayi Harris]

I thought you were channeling the NYTime Magaizine when you wrote this. I guess you were.