Critcal Mass is a regular event. The meeting point is the Savoy cinema on Derby Road in Lenton on the last Friday of every month now at 5.30pm. It is becoming a more popular event with many more riders this time, than the last..... Join them.
Previous Critical Masses in Notts: Oct | Sep | Apr | Feb I | Feb II | Jun 04
At the same time almost 1000 cyclists soon growing to a critical mass of an estimated minimum of 2000 cycled around central London. The meeting point was nearby the restricted SOCPA zone in front of the National Film Theatre. The CM moved on to Parliament Square and Downing Street. The samba band was on wheels for the occasion and many were in Halloween attire.
Pics 1 | 2 | 3 Pic-reports 1 | 2 | 3 Reports 1 Video reports 1 | 2
This is the first London Critical Mass ride after participants were informed about possible arrests at future Critical Mass rides. The Metropolitan Police demanded that the 'organisers' give notice of the route in advance. Read report.
Solidarity rides were taking place simultaneously in Bristol (more) and Brighton, Nottingham, Leeds and Gothenburg. We are collecting updates from the London streets in a timeline. For more info see full feature article on UK Indymedia.
Critcal Mass is a regular event. The meeting point is the Savoy cinema on Derby Road in Lenton on the last Friday of every month now at 5.30pm.
It is becoming a more popular event with many more riders this time, than the last.....
If you want to draw attention to transport policy, issues around climate change, health and fitness, pollution and the fact that cars keep injuring cyclists ...... Then please join in.
As a photographer, I've covered this and many similar direct-action events in a 'documentary style'. This time, I thought I would come over all 'arty' and this time present the event in an 'impressionistic style'. Street light colour, long shutter speeds [1/4 - 3/4 sec], giving a feeling of energy, vibrancy, colour and action. An event that is fun to be at, in fact.
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What's it all about?
Critical Mass is often described as an 'unorganised coincidence'. It happens when a lot of cyclists happen to be in the same place at the same time and decide to cycle the same way together for a while.
What's the purpose?
"Everyday, all over the world, people are resisting the problem culture of the car by getting on their bikes and riding, instead of driving.
Critical Mass is a celebration of the alternatives to cars, pollution, accidents and the loss of public spaces and freedoms.
Not an organisation or group, but an idea or tactic, Critical Mass allows people to reclaim cities with their bikes, just by getting together and out-numbering the cars on the road"
What happens on a Critical Mass?
Each one is different and they follow no set route, with the direction being spontaneously chosen as people cycle along. Anyone is free to join or leave the ride as it pedals along.
See also http://www.critical-mass.org
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You can see more piccys of an earlier Critical Mass in Nottingham at:
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/324826.html
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/04/310149.html
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/02/305420.html
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/02/305893.html
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/06/292966.html
and
Bicycle repair and support, at the ASBO Centre, check out:
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2005/10/325852.html
Please Note: "We are not blocking the traffic - We are Traffic!"
[ps. think I've mentioned this before, but some bastard has stolen my bike!]
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ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email: tash@gn.apc.org
Web: http://tash.gn.apc.org
WAP phone http://wappy.to/tash
My Blog http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com
BroadBand http://tash.dns2go.com
Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]
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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
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OS Grid Ref: SK 575414 - Lat/Lon: 52:58:03N, 1:08:38W
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