Critical Mass Organising Meeting

dublin | environment | event notice Friday August 14, 2009 00:22 by Conor conorm at riseup dot net

Seomra Spraoi, Dublins Autonomous social centre (10 Belvidere Court, Dublin 1) will host a meeting for those interested in reigniting the passion for critical mass. The idea is not to organise a 'steering committee' for the event, rather it is a chance for like-minded people to get together, print and distribute leaflets and fill the streets of Dublin with bikes once again.

Also, it would be pleasant to take to the streets on the 22nd of September for the ''CAR FREE DAY''.

Every September 22, people from around the world get together in the streets, intersections, and neighbourhood blocks to remind the world that we don't have to accept our car-dominated society.
But we do not want just one day of celebration and then a return to "normal" life. When people get out of their cars, they should stay out of their cars. It is up to us, it is up to our cities, and our governments to help create permanent change to benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and other people who do not drive cars.

Let World Carfree Day be a showcase for just how our cities might look like, feel like, and sound like without cars…365 days a year.

As the climate heats up, World Carfree Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet, and put it on city planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport, instead of to the automobile.

What is Critical Mass?

Critical mass is the cyclists of the city, cycling together in a large group. The
idea is to show how much nicer Dublin would be (for cyclists and
everybody else) if the streets were full of cyclists all the time.

What exactly will we do?

We will cycle! We go in one large group at a few miles per hour, which has
the effect of taking over the road. Traffic is calmed, pedestrians can
cross the road without running, you can hear the birds sing and you can
converse without shouting, and you think ‘wouldn't it be great to have
this all the time?’

So it’s really a type of demonstration?

Not really. Only in a society immersed in car-culture could people think
that cycling around is a demonstration. Cars take over the streets every
other day of the month, and we don’t think them as being on a
demonstration.

Who’s in charge?

You are. There is no steering committee, no treasurer, no chairman - we
just cycle. Many people design and photocopy leaflets to give to
passers-by to explain, but that’s up to each person.

Do we get a permit from the Corpo or the Gardaí?

No. We don’t ask anyone’s permission to use the streets of our city, we
do it by right. We reject the idea that driving is ‘normal’ and that
cycling is some far-out activity that has to be shunted off and catered
for specially.

Is this legal? Are we supposed to go two-abreast?

It is 100 per cent legal. Cyclists have a right in common law to use the
streets (motorists don’t). The rules of the road suggest that cyclists
go two abreast, but this does not have the force of law. (It also
suggests that motorists make hand signals when turning.)

What if we get aggro? (yeah right!)

Almost everyone is good-humoured about Critical Mass - most people are
amused and curious. Smiling and waving at people helps this a lot. Ring
your bell, or blow a whistle. You will get the odd tightly-wound plonker
who revs their engine or shouts abuse - smile and wave at them too.

To make sure everyone is safe, stay together in a group, don’t let
anyone get separated and don’t risk getting separated on two sides of a
traffic lights - if in doubt, wait.