Taking Back the Streets

Bicyclists around the world are joining the movement known as Critical Mass

By Eric Oslund

                  Once a month, all over the world, bicyclists join in on an event known as Critical Mass. The idea for this sprung up in San Francisco, and quickly spread around the world. Critical Mass has even been happening in Bemidji, not on as large a scale as in other cities.
   

                  Critical Mass was created as a way to celebrate riding, and to help assert the rights of cyclists’ on the road. The object is for the bikers to ride around on the streets of cities all over the world for a couple of hours. This event does not have any real rules, but cyclists are expected to show proper etiquette.

Critical Mass is an event where cyclists get together to
 ride around on the streets. Photo by Eric Oslund

                  Critical Mass is an idea, not an organization. There are no leaders and no one has licensed rights to it. Instead people get together and have a meeting place and time that could change. Since the times and meeting spots could be subject to change Critical Mass has been known to dwindle out in smaller cities.

                  This could be a possibility for the city of Bemidji. Being a smaller city it has been hard to find people to join in this event. “Last month in Bemidji there were about 15 people,” said Bemidji State University student Luke Holden. “That is really small for Critical Mass.”

                  Holden has been riding his bicycles everywhere for most of his life. “I have always loved riding bikes,” said Holden. “When I was younger I had a helmet I sewed ear-muffs into so I could ride in the winter.” His love of biking has led him to go on long bike rides from Duluth to Minneapolis, and even a trip to China to bike through its busy streets.

                  Having always loved biking Critical Mass seemed like the perfect event for Holden. He first got involved in Critical Mass while attending Perpich Arts High School in Minneapolis. “I saw a flyer,” said Holden. “When I got to the meeting place there were hundreds of people eating food, talking, and just having fun.”

Critical Mass is a great way for riders to celebrate riding.
Photo by Eric Oslund

 Holden now helps to organize the Critical Mass events in Bemidji. Critical Mass could be tied into political things, but Holden believes that it is also just an enjoyable bike ride, and a way to celebrate cycling.

                  In larger cities, such as Minneapolis, Critical Mass can cause traffic jams in busy areas, which can upset many people. “A lot of the time people yell obscene things at you,” Said Holden about his experience participating in Critical Mass. “They even throw things, like pennies, at you.”

                  Although Critical Mass involves biking down the streets and taking them back, the point is not to tie up traffic. “Those who want to tie up traffic as much as possible and be confrontational with motorists are missing the point,” according to a Web site created by a Critical Mass supporter.

The next ride in Bemidji Minn. will be on Oct. 29, and will start at the Paul and Babe statues at noon.