What is Critical Mass?

Critical Mass is an organised coincidence. It happens when a lot of
cyclists happen to be in the same place at the same time and decide to cycle the same way together for a while. Very often, those taking part enjoy it so much that they decide to get together at the
same place and time the next month and the month after and so on, and to get other cyclists to join
as well.

Where and when does CM take place?

Currently more than 30 places in the UK, there will be a Critical Mass somewhere every week. Critical Mass started in San Fransisco in 1993, and now takes place in more than 100 cities worldwide.

What are the aims of CM?

Although there is a shared wish to see less car-dominated cities and
more people cycling, there is no such thing as the aim of CM. There are as many aims of CM as there are participants. Each individual comes there with his or her own idea of what it's about,
and the sum of this makes up the mass. Some of the aims may be:

• Raising the profile of cycling in towns and cities
• Campaigning for better provision for cyclists
• Creating a car-free space in the centre of our cities
• Having fun Meeting friends
• Getting our own back at the motorists
• Showing off our flashy new bike and clothes
• Creating a vision and experience of a possible future

Some things may feature more strongly than others, but any combination
of the aims above and lots of others can be reason enough for anyone to come to CM.

Who are the organisers?

Nobody organises CM in the sense that they control the event - what
happens at the ride is up to all the individuals. However, some individuals are usually more involved
than others, in printing and distributing leaflets and other publicity, thinking out the route,
organising corkers, front and back markers for the ride, doing press releases etc. However, they only do the work, and don't have any authority over anybody else - their only power is to make suggestions. The Mass is usually most successful if many people get involved and do these things on their own accord - it takes the pressure off the few and makes CM more of the spontaneous event it is meant to be. There are copies of leaflets available on this website for those who want to help print them up and then hand them out to people on the day or post them up and publicise it beforehand. Even better, make your own leaflets and bring them along.

Is it legal?

In principle, CM is nothing different from a bunch of cyclists taking
a slightly convoluted way home from work, or just cruising around the streets, all of which is
perfectly legal. Section 209 of the Highway Code advises cyclists to not ride more than two abreast, and to ride in single file on narrow roads when in traffic. However, this advice does not have force of
law, and the whole section is titled 'Safe riding' - presumably it would be acceptable to ride more than two abreast where this is safer. It is also acceptable to ride more than two abreast when overtaking.

However, the police do have considerable powers to break up any demonstration, thereby declaring it illegal. The best way of preventing this from happening is to avoid provoking the police.