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Getting Critical: a story of ordinary folk on bikes
There’s always something interesting happening in Millennium Square these days, whether it’s youths paddling in the fountains by the Watershed on a hot day, or some chap asserting his right to scrawl political slogans in chalk on the pavement. Last Friday, the 26th June, at around 5.30pm, it was the turn of a number of Bristol cyclists to be the main focus of attraction, as they gathered by the fountains in preparation for another ‘Critical Mass’ cycle action.
Crtical mass: quite the spectical (Image: Iyers)
‘Critical Mass’? It sounds like a movement. Well it is, on wheels at least. But its not one that has any definable organisation to it. It just happens, on the last Friday of every month, when cyclists gather by common consent to reclaim the city’s roads for cyclists. For a brief period of time at least.
Bristol cyclist Will Bryson, one of around forty or fifty on this occasion, thinks the idea started in San Francisco in the early 90s. It rapidly attracted attention, and now Critical Mass events happen right around the world.
I’ve actually attended one of the Bristol rides before, back in 1995 or thereabouts, which means that it’s been going on here for at least fourteen or fifteen years. The idea is purely to celebrate cycling, with perhaps the sub-agenda of reclaiming the roads and calming the traffic down by occupying all the lanes in the direction of travel.
You might think that this tactic is a recipe for trouble, but in reality most motorists only have to wait perhaps ten or fifteen minutes at the most before the cyclists change direction, turning down a side street or peddling along a cycle path for a short stretch. Some motorists, invariably, get a bit heated, and as a result try to barge their way through with much honking of horn. This, in a strange way, only serves to emphasise the meaning of Critical Mass, that is to calm things down and sell the idea of travel in a more genteel fashion.
I ask Will what he thinks of the facilities for cyclists in Bristol. “Not a lot” he answers. “They could be a lot better. The City Council have made some effort with the idea of a ‘cycling city’, but it’s very piecemeal and the city still appears to be structured largely around cars, which seem to be the top priority.” He tells me that people he has spoken to on the subject have confessed to him that they wouldn’t cycle in Bristol. “They’re too afraid” he says.
After allowing perhaps half an hour for cyclists to gather, the riders peddle off. Some of them have decorated their bikes with balloons, and there’s one chap in a bright orange leotard with matching ‘afro’ wig. We cycle around the city at a nice civilised pace for a while before retiring to ‘The Apple’ cider bar for a pint or two of ‘Druid fluid’.
Same again next month then? I reckon so.
If you wish to join the Bristol Critical Mass just turn up with your bike at Millennium Square on the last Friday of each month, and gather by the fountains at around 5.30pm. There’s also a Critical Mass discussion group on Facebook if you’re a member.
Article by Robin Whitlock
