Kidical Mass Presentation

Editor's Notes

• #3: The first Critical Mass ride was in September 1992 in San Francisco and was originally called Commute Clot. There were 48 people. The ride increased in size by about 75% each month so that by the time 1993 came about, Critical Mass had almost 500 riders and was becoming well known among bicyclers in the city--although city officials still hadn't registered its existence. A couple months after that people in other cities started noticing and began other Masses. The name comes from Ted White's 1992 documentary film about bicycling, "Return of the Scorcher". In the film, George Bliss describes a typical scene in China, where cyclists often cannot cross intersections because there is automobile cross-trafic and no traffic lights. Slowly, more and more cyclists amass waiting to cross the road, and when there is a sufficient number of them -- a critical mass, as Bliss called it -- they are able to all move together with the force of their numbers to make cross traffic yield while they cross the road. Was started as a way to feel empowered on the road, a grassroots (Xerocracy) movement to show solidarity and feel for a couple hours like the roads belonged to cyclists too (as many didn’t feel that respect and even fight for it today). Grew quickly and each town had a different feel- some more radical than others. Some of the SF rides had thousands and thousands of riders and in Budapest there is a CM ride held twice a year and has had as many as 80,000 riders. But because of all the backlash from the ‘extreme’ rides many people didn’t like the feel of the rides and the police presence at many became too much for those who just wanted to go out for a nice ride and feel the companionship of other cyclists. History of Ted coming back to Eugene in 2008 and the morning inspiration. April 2008 ride.
• #4: Portland followed just a couple months later and now Kidical Mass has now grown to include rides in Seattle, Ashland, Bend, Oakland, San Luis Obispo, Tulsa OK, Toronto Canada, and even Hungary! It’s a legal, safe, and fun family friendly ride. We follow all the rules of the road, sometimes talk about safety tips before we leave (watermelon helmet drop) but generally focus on getting families together to enjoy a ride around neighborhood streets. We meet in a park and ride to another park, an ice cream shop, or go to a fun activity like rock climbing, or a neighborhood party. Here’s a few photos and some more basics about the ride:
• #5: The ride is also about getting together to talk about tips, tricks, favorite routes, playdates, or just how things are going- it’s social capitol! Make time at the beginning and/or end for this.
• #6: Map out the ride. Know where you are going to go and maybe even post that on your site, email, or flyer. Stay on neighborhood streets, paths, or less busy streets with bike lanes. Try to do major intersection crossings at intersections with lights. Venture beyond the bike path. Though paths are great KM is meant to get parents out exploring their community in areas they might not normally ride a bike. A lot of folks ride the paths on the weekends- try the streets.
• #7: Riding in a large group makes it comfortable for all skill levels and the experienced riders can help out the newer ones. Make sure everyone knows that though your riding in a group everyone is responsible for themselves and their family. That means everyone stops at the stop signs and traffic lights. Remind parents that they should ride like they would want their children to ride when they ride to school alone (obeying the traffic laws and riding safely).
• #8: The group can wait and regroup when it is safe to do so.
• #10: Saddle up for good times. Decorate your bike, bring treats along, make it fun.
• #11: Sometimes you can have a message and get political- this PDX ride went to city hall when SRTS funding was threatened.
• #12: Spread the word! Use email lists, post home-made flyers at school or around town, ask to be put in the school newsletter, do a PR for a special ride, or just sharpie your arm.
• #13: Ride somewhere FUN! Yes healthy food and diet is important but so is having a good time and what kid doesn’t like some ice cream or gelato?!
• #14: No matter where you are there are parents who want to ride together...
• #15: get out there and ride with them!
• #16: And most of all- Have Fun!
• #18: Paul’s Talking Points: Bike Day Blackberry Jamboree Other Family Friendly rides- Spring Roll, Bike Lights,
• #19: - The big picture: community livability - If it ain't broke don't fix it: well-established Portland rides and others that are popping up - What works here works anywhere: root beer floats and pizza parties - how families are the indicator species for a bike (and walk) friendly community. -Portland's best family friendly rides: Pedalpalooza kickoff, Bunnies on Bikes, multiple KM rdes in various neighborhoods, Earth Day rides. -close with how this can work anywhere, it doesn't have to be limited to super bike friendly cities. It just takes leaders with a vision, lots of friends and the ability to get the word out, and then the extras such as root beer floats, pizza parties and other ideas. I'll try to track some photos down of the rides I've listed above.
• #20: - The big picture: community livability - If it ain't broke don't fix it: well-established Portland rides and others that are popping up - What works here works anywhere: root beer floats and pizza parties - how families are the indicator species for a bike (and walk) friendly community. -Portland's best family friendly rides: Pedalpalooza kickoff, Bunnies on Bikes, multiple KM rdes in various neighborhoods, Earth Day rides. -close with how this can work anywhere, it doesn't have to be limited to super bike friendly cities. It just takes leaders with a vision, lots of friends and the ability to get the word out, and then the extras such as root beer floats, pizza parties and other ideas. I'll try to track some photos down of the rides I've listed above.