Dublin - Event Notice
Thursday January 01 1970

Dublin Critical Mass is back for 2005

dublin | environment | event notice

Tuesday May 24, 2005 14:52

by Cyclist

We normally start the monthly critical masses as soon as the evenings start to get long enough so that it's still bright after 7pm. We're a bit late getting started this year but better late than never. Bring your bike or other non-motorised transport (whistles, balloons and bike-bells are optional but welcome) and gather at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square at 6pm on Friday (27th Mary) for a pleasant and fun bike ride around town.

What is Critical Mass?

We are 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 do we do?

We cycle. We go in one large group at about one mile 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?

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.

Other Information:

The cycle generally lasts for 30 or 40 minutes. Sometimes we plan it out ahead, sometimes it just emerges. We often go to the pub afterwards, so if you haven’t joined us before, come along and introduce yourself. Emergency vehicles almost never use the city centre at rush hour, but if they do, let them through with all haste.

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Comments (3 of 3)

from the streets to the greenway

by dunk

Wed May 25, 2005 13:46

fuspey at yahoo dot co dot uk

in attempt to create an urban greenway for dublin city, a forum and cycle is organised on wed 1st june, starting from sheriff st in the docklands
support from dublin cycling campaign on this initiave would be most welcome
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=69929
velo city international bike conference happening next week
as is euro greenway conference
as belfast crit mass and other stuff

dub and belfast-

Tue May 31, 2005 10:40

how did dub crit mass go,
any photos
any of you be at dublin docks cycle and greenway cycle tmrw
there is a sister project going in belfast
dunk

Leaderless??

by Kiril Kundurazieff - The Cycling Dude Blog

Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:27

Costa Mesa, Ca. USA

What's with the "We"?

I thought CM had no leaders, and organizers, no planning, no promotion? :-D

The Cycling Dude

Putting the ING in BICYCLING since January 2003!

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Dublin Critical Mass is back for 2005

Comments (3 of 3)