On the 14th of April, the first Critical Mass was held in Southend-on-Sea. About 30 people met around 6pm to have a fun cycle ride through the town. With colourful signs and messages stuck to their bikes (i.e. ‘We are not blocking the traffic, We ARE the traffic!’) and accompanied by a sound system playing reggae, the cyclists started riding with a peaceful and happy atmosphere. After about one and a half hours joyful riding the police finally decided to join us. One police car followed for about half an hour before they got supported by two other cars and a motorbike and stopped the ride for ‘obstructing the highway’. Unfortunately there were only 15 riders left by that time so the ride stopped for that day.

But they can’t stop us from cycling. There will be a Critical Mass every 2nd Friday of the month (in Southend-on-Sea), next meet on 12th May, meeting point at the top of the high street 6pm, next to WHSmith’s.
All the cyclists out there - come to support us on the next Critical Mass and make it a pleasurable ride for everyone. Let’s show them that pedal power is the future.