Monthly Archives: March 2012

As a bike lover and former San Franciscan, when I heard there was a Masse Critique movement in Paris, I was determined to see what it was all about.  Critical Mass, an informal gathering of cyclists that meet at a given point and ride in a group throughout the city, started in SF in 1992.  It has since grown into a decentralized, international pro-cyclist movement with a much more political bent, and greater traffic disturbances, than originally envisioned.  In most cities, this takes place on the last Friday of every month, right before the evening end-of-the-week rush hour.   I remember leaving my office near Market Street and getting stuck in a few of these, thankfully on foot.  With all the hills, being a cyclist in SF is a serious commitment, and this event definitely highlights the sense of identity that goes along with it.  There’s a huge turnout.  The bicycles are often elaborately decorated and carrying all sorts of signage.  Sometimes riders are in serious cycling gear, in costume or au natural (At any Bay-Area protest, outdoor event, or impromptu Saturday afternoon, someone’s getting naked.  It’s just the way it is).  Watching downtown San Francisco grind to an angry hault — financial district types lividly tapping away on their Blackberries and cab drivers yelling or cranking their seats back totally resigned — as a huge group of jubilant cyclists stream through is an image I will always associate with that city. Continue reading →