Critical Mass
Critical Mass is a group of people in Chicago who meet the last Friday of every month. Their website can be found here: chicagocriticalmass.org/
This critical mass took place on May 25th, 2007 and there were probably a couple thousand bikes that took to the streets through downtown Chicago, Greektown, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Uptown for a two and a half hour bike ride that was probably a good 7 miles in length.
To me, Critical Mass is a movement that proves it is possible to choose biking as an alternative to driving. Literally bikes take over the streets completely causing cars to halt while intersections are blocked, some by traffic control for the city and some by people that are part of the movement.
Above and beyond that, critical mass shows that it is possible to break outside of the average American choices that are causing massive environmental problems and to choose a healthier way that fills the future with possibilities rather than limits it. It’s also about not conforming to what others do and being a part of a community.
View the complete photoset with much larger photos on flickr
May 28th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
i like the photo and also i like that group the first time i heard about it was reading about it in Portland. i like the idea and i also like walking and public transit, of that i wish it should be better funded and with better services in the usa. how is the public transit in Canada? yes Critical Mass is very cool, it seems and to find these nifty and nice things, but this one keeps on gaining ground, i am glad