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Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 21:38:59 +0100
To: rts@gn.apc.org
From: ALLSORTS (allsorts@gn.apc.org)
Subject: -ALLSORTS-mixed news

Dublin Critical Mass - May 2001 Bike Ride

Greetings,
Summers here at last and time to get the bikes out for first summer 2001 CRITICAL MASS ride.

FRIDAY 25TH MAY
6PM GARDEN OF REMEMBERANCE
PARNELL SQUARE

A big cheers to all who have been on the last two rides. It goes to show that cycling around Dublin can be safe and fun when cylists are given the space. Any images of Bicycles, posters/flyers or ideas are always welcome.

Below is one person's ideas of Critical Mass that will be mailed to media, bike clubs and anyone that might be interested. Any amendments or contributions welcome.

CRITICAL MASS BIKE RIDE

LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH
6PM GARDEN OF REMEMBERANCE
PARNELL SQUARE

Critical Mass rides started in San Francisco in the early 1990's and events now take place in cities world-wide on the last Friday of every month. They have been described as unorganised groups of Cyclists who happen to be cycling along the same route at the same time to promote the use of non-motorised transport in gridlocked cities like Dublin. Critical Mass is not an exercise to annoy motorists but a challenge to car-centred transport policy. There is no set agenda to the event and all participants have their own reasons for participating.

The loose organisational structure of Critical Mass events gives room for people to express a variety of issues. Some of these may include -

- raising the profile of cycling and cyclists
- wider environmental and sustainable transport issues
- the adverse effect of heavy volumes of traffic, pollution and excessive road building on communities
- creating a car free space
- having fun, bringing cyclists together and encouraging people to get out of their cars and cycle
- getting back at drivers who control the roads for the other 29 days of the month

Although there is no specific political aim to Critical Mass there are a number of principles behind every cycle -

- the object of a Critical Mass Ride is not to block traffic or cause confrontation with other road users, it is to illustrate that Cyclists are traffic - (it is not a protest)
- a proper public transport system is essential to reduce the number of cars on the road therefore the Mass tries to keep Bus lanes open to allow free movement of Buses and Taxis
- the Mass obeys the rules of the road regarding traffic lights, junctions pedestrian crossings etc

Another important feature of the Critical Mass movement is that there are no organisers dictating either the route or the tactics of events - the principle of Xeroxcracy, whereby people who are interested in producing and distributing their own flyers, leaflets or posters are welcome to do so.

To Contact Dublin Critical Mass -

email - dublincriticalmass@yahoo.com

For a directory of International Critical Mass Websites -

http://www.critical-mass.org

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