Transportation Event Case Study 

Critical Mass: an organized coincidence

Critical Mass is a show of cycling solidarity. It is an opportunity for bicyclists to ride together through urban streets and celebrate the bicycle as energy efficient, practical, non-polluting, healthy and fun. Critical Mass could be described as a density. It displaces automobiles by concentrating bicycles so thickly no car will fit. Metaphorically, it displaces the transit priorities of this society, and by extension, most of the priorities of this culture in general. 

Originally, it took place in San Francisco, when in 1991, an informal "commute home together" began to take place to celebrate bike solidarity and make a visual impact around various issues. Everyone was welcome and the numbers of riders quickly grew. By 1993, hundreds of cyclists were gathering on the last Friday of the month to ride through the city, sometimes with direct political targets such as the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange which was surrounded by cyclists aiming to create the first ever 'cyclotron' in order to levitate the building.

Since then, Critical Mass has become a more or less regular event in cities across the United States, Europe, Australia and now Canada. While the issues of concern, approaches and numbers differ in each city there is a common underlying approach of non-hierarchical organization. Described by some as "organized coincidence", the beauty of CM is that it simply materializes. Because there are no leaders, no one can take responsibility or blame and everyone can take credit. Its main structure of organization is one of 'xeroxcracy' in which anyone is free to xerox and distribute whatever information they feel is of use and interest to the group and the passersby. 

This lack of leadership is both the strength and weakness of Critical Mass. In Toronto, it has been an event dominated by the bicycle couriers. Recently there have been attempts to promote it through cycling, environmental groups and the media. But this becomes more difficult to do this without taking on an 'organizing' role. There is never a guarantee that the event will take place. It depends upon the mood, nature and size of the group. Some months, when the couriers were tired or not interested, only 5 or 6 people have shown up. When this occurs, it is almost impossible to achieve the density of cyclists needed to displace the cars effectively. 

In many cities, police arrest Critical Mass participants for mischief, obstructing traffic or other charges etc. As well, Critical Masses can attract the venom of car drivers, who try to ram or disrupt the action. Fortunately, Toronto has not yet had many problems with Critical Mass. The police do show up when there are more than a few cyclists, and will try to find and organizer with which to bargain. This is when the leaderlessness is most powerful. Decisions can be strategic, someone may take on a leadership role in order to ensure the event takes place as it should, but if that person attempts to control the Mass, the cyclists may well just ignore him or her. 

As a participant who wants a Critical Mass to happen, I work with friends to try and create and distribute flyers or posters advertising it to cyclists and cycling centres, cafes, bike shops etc. Then, I show up, drag my friends along and then try to make it happen by talking to people, or simply standing there with my bike and a big, goofy smile.

But this unpredictability is what makes Critical Mass so amazing. The sensation of riding down a major street, together, with hundreds of bikes is mindblowing. The recognition that I am safe, not sucking someone's exhaust pipe or dodging their bumper is thrilling. The social atmosphere of riding slowly together, chatting, flirting and ringing our bells is remarkable. The smiles and quizzical looks of pedestrians, other cyclists and even car drivers is empowering. In England, when I experienced my first Critical Mass I suddenly remembered that the roads could be social, human and hilarious spaces. Let's keep on trying to make this happen in Toronto. Let's just all "ride home together."

by Lesley Wood