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.